Expertise: Social Circular Economy

CenSE contributes to the transition toward a sustainable and inclusive society through research on the social circular economy, social impact, and sustainability. This research center analyzes organizations that create both economic and social value, with a particular focus on the survival, collaboration, and growth mechanisms of social and circular enterprises.

To support this transition, CenSE focuses on key themes such as necessary competencies, innovative business models, sustainable collaboration models, and impact measurement. Fundamental research into systems thinking, stewardship philosophy, and sustainable partnerships is central to its work, with an emphasis on how diverse actors can collaborate efficiently and transparently. Through basic and applied research, CenSE actively contributes to the development and implementation of social and circular economy concepts in Brussels, Flanders, and Europe.

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Current Projects

Completed Projects

  • Bettery: Toward the Revaluation of Batteries from Medical Devices

    Odisee is mapping the waste streams of rechargeable batteries at five hospitals in Flanders. We are identifying current end-of-life strategies and determining the greatest opportunities to reuse these batteries as part of a higher R-strategy.

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  • InterGenic

    InterGenic aims to develop an educational framework for intergenerational learning to support the EU's digital and green transitions.

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  • Learning Network for Facilities Management in Schools

    The learning network “Sustainable and Professional Facilities Management in Schools” helps educational institutions in Flanders make their facilities management more sustainable. Inspiration, discovery, and action were central to the initiative, achieved through a mix of theme days, school visits, and hands-on sessions. Schools shared knowledge, learned from one another, and took concrete steps toward sustainable and efficient facilities management.

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  • ECOZORG Sustainable from Birth: Reusable Baby Diapers

    Healthcare has a significant impact on the environment and climate and is one of the largest producers of commercial waste. Disposable diapers also account for a large portion of residual waste in the healthcare sector. This project focuses on sustainable maternity care, specifically on reusable or washable baby diapers in hospitals as an alternative to disposable diapers, with the goal of reducing the ecological footprint of newborns.

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  • GrowthFundMe

    GrowthFundMe aims to develop a comprehensive approach to support entrepreneurs in exploring their communities. Our goal is to promote social inclusion, employability, and entrepreneurial initiatives in underserved communities.

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  • S-CircEl: Social and Circular Ecosystems Aimed at Transitioning to Paid Employment

    Transitioning from the social economy to a sustainable, paid job (in the mainstream labor market) is and remains a major challenge. As part of this project, we are exploring new opportunities to (re)integrate this target group into the (mainstream) labor market and increase their chances of securing a sustainable job.

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  • Circular Transition Through Sustainable Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships

    In this study, we aim to examine whatis needed to establish sustainable partnerships among the stakeholders of a Quintuple Helix model for circular ecosystems, withinthe Flemish and Brussels contexts.

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  • City4coEN

    This study, commissioned by the Brussels-Capital Region, examines a wide range of community initiatives in the Brussels region.

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  • NeoParent 2.0: Putting the Family in the Spotlight in Neonatology

    With NeoParent 2.0, we are expanding the previously developed NeoParent app—designed to support parents with a baby in the neonatal unit—to include the extended family. After all, in addition to the support the app currently provides during the hospital stay, there was a need for a broader context. 

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  • Disability-Inclusive Job Crafting

    Through the ESF project “Disability Inclusive Job Crafting,” we sought to enhance the employability of employees with physical and mild intellectual disabilities by supporting them in the “willingness,” “ability,” and “courage” to engage in job crafting.

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  • MIXXL Sandwich – Combination Strategies for the Sandwich Generation

    Combined Strategies for the Sandwich Generation

    Adults who, at the same time in their lives, take on the responsibility of caring for both an older and a younger generation—and who often combine that care with a job—are referred to as the“Sandwich Generation.” 

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  • Sustainable Human Resources Management

    This project examines which elements contribute to sustainable HRM in organizations, using case studies from the field of business administration and case studies from higher education. We also explore the outcomes of a sustainable HRM policy for the organization.

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  • Prison Labor and Logistics

    This project had two main objectives: first, to determine whether employment in prisons could take the form of logistics-related work; and second, to identify the prerequisites for implementing a logistics training program (specifically through on-the-job training) in prisons. 

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