Funded project – Victorian Circular Activator (VCA)
The Victorian Circular Activator functioned as a central hub to facilitate the state's transition towards a circular economy through research, data management, collaboration frameworks and targeted business programmes.
Background
The Victorian Circular Activator (VCA) emerged as a critical response to the growing need for coordinated action in Victoria's circular economy transition. As a strategic partnership between leading institutions, the VCA addressed a significant gap in the state's circular economy ecosystem by creating a dedicated platform for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange.
The project brought together four major partners, each contributing unique strengths: RMIT University, with its extensive research capabilities and 80+ multidisciplinary experts; Swinburne University, adding valuable research capacity and best practices; Circular Economy Victoria, providing practitioner networks; and Planet Ark/ACEHub, offering broader exposure and connections.
This collaborative approach enabled the VCA to support diverse stakeholders, from businesses and government bodies to innovators and communities, in developing and scaling new circular solutions. The project's governance structure, including a dedicated Steering Committee with monthly meetings, ensured effective oversight and strategic direction.
Stages
| 01/09/2021 | Project planning and development, including recruitment and contract establishment. |
| 01/10/2021 | Implementation of governance arrangements, staff onboarding and workspace setup, commencement of initial activities. |
| 01/01/2022 | Delivery of Collaborate to Thrive 1, Showcase 1, Data Platform Report initiation, CE Mapping Report submission. |
| 01/04/2022 | Completion of CE'ed 1, Showcase 2, Impact Agency 1, Data Mapping Progress Report and CE Hubs Report. |
| 01/09/2022 | Finalisation of CE Manufacturing Innovation Report, Showcase 3 and Collaborate to Thrive 2. |
| 01/04/2023 | Delivery of Showcase 4, Impact Agency 2, CE'ed 2 and Data Platform Report. |
| 01/10/2023 | Completion of final reporting, including data analysis and financial documentation. |
Outcomes - what worked?
The VCA achieved significant success in establishing itself as a key facilitator of circular economy initiatives in Victoria. The project created multiple job opportunities, several of which transformed into permanent positions, demonstrating its economic impact. Its brand recognition grew substantially, positioning the VCA as a trusted broker in the circular economy space.
Partner organisations experienced tangible benefits, with several collaborators, including Cirque du Soil, Casey Council, and RMIT Activator, securing additional work opportunities through their involvement with the VCA. The project's outputs have become valuable resources for developing new circular economy initiatives and attracting future partnerships.
The collaborative model proved particularly effective, with the VCA successfully bringing together diverse stakeholders from academia, industry, community, and government. This cross-sector engagement created a robust foundation for ongoing circular economy initiatives in Victoria.
Challenges
Project Timeline Management
Implementation delays affected overall scheduling and final milestone delivery. These delays stemmed from staffing changes and competing internal priorities. Future projects would benefit from additional lead time between milestones to accommodate necessary discussions, partner identification, and planning.
COVID-19 Impact
The pandemic presented significant challenges, particularly regarding physical space utilisation for VCA activities. Additionally, unexpected staffing changes and delays in project delivery affected milestone achievement timeframes.
Resource Allocation
Partners contributed significant unpaid in-kind hours across project delivery, governance, and logistical support, highlighting the need for more comprehensive resource planning in future initiatives.
Brand Management
Initial challenges arose regarding the utilisation of the VCA brand for business development. Once resolved through approval from SV, partners successfully leveraged the brand's growing recognition for new collaborations and funding opportunities.
Insights to share with other businesses
The VCA experience yielded valuable insights for organisations entering the circular economy space:
- Actively engage with circular economy networks and events to build connections and knowledge
- Research extensively, including international best practices and case studies
- Focus on collaboration and partnership opportunities to achieve greater impact
- Clearly define your project's purpose and intended impact
- Establish clear partner roles and responsibilities early in the process
- Consider place-based responses in project planning
- Reach out to the VCA to see if they can support you!
What's next?
The VCA has established a strong foundation for continued growth and impact in Victoria's circular economy journey in the initial stages. It has successfully brokered circular economy outcomes in Victoria. The partnerships and networks developed during the project create opportunities for new initiatives and collaborations. The project's success has generated interest from various stakeholders, positioning the VCA to expand its influence and support for circular economy transitions.
From the grantee
"The Victorian Circular Activator demonstrated the power of collaborative partnerships in driving circular economy innovation. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and fostering knowledge exchange, we've created lasting impact and laid the groundwork for future circular initiatives in Victoria."
Learn more
Visit the Swinburne CE-MAP website.
