During a day of innovation and teamwork, participants developed proposals aimed at transforming waste into new sustainable opportunities.
On March 31, the European project C-Sustain held a makeathon in Valencia, focused on innovation and the circular economy, as part of the European Youth Week 2026, bringing together young participants and mentors for a collaborative day aimed at addressing current sustainability challenges.
The event included 12 young participants and 6 mentors, who worked together to develop ideas and innovative solutions based on the principles of the circular economy.
During the session, Alberto Navarro introduced the concept of circular economy, linking it to the local context, especially the Fallas of Valencia, taking advantage of the proximity of the celebrations and their recent impact. Building on this approach, participants tackled challenges related to transforming waste generated during the festivities, such as plastics and oils, into opportunities for creating green businesses.
Through methodologies like SCAMPER, teamwork, and ideation, participants developed proposals aimed at creating real and sustainable impact. This practical approach allowed participants to understand the potential of circular economy in action. One participant noted that the experience helped her see how everyday sustainability challenges can be addressed with concrete solutions, while also learning about European initiatives and funding opportunities.
As Lola Bordás, CMO of C-Sustain, emphasizes, “participating in events like this demonstrates how the project maintains its commitment to youth and European initiatives, reinforcing its mission to train young people in circular economy.”
The makeathon is part of the activities led by C-Sustain to train young people in skills related to the circular economy, strengthening key abilities such as creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
In this context, its organization as part of the European Youth Week 2026 highlights the project’s commitment to youth training and its alignment with European priorities on sustainability and youth engagement.
The C-Sustain project (Circular & Sustainable Training for Youth Entrepreneurs), co-financed by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme, aims to train young people in digital and sustainable skills, promoting circular economy as a driver of innovation and development. The day concluded with presentations of the teams proposals, showcasing the talent, creativity, and commitment of participants to transition towards more sustainable models. Initiatives like this consolidate C-Sustain as a reference project in youth training in circular economy at the European level.