EU-India circular business exchange at WCEF2026

Sitra requests your tender for designing and implementing a targeted business exchange linked to WCEF2026. The exchange will support EU-India cooperation, with selective participation from other relevant EU CERC partner countries where this adds strategic value. The assignment will focus on a limited number of priority value chains aligned with EU strategic interests, CERC priorities and the thematic focus of WCEF2026 (appendix 9). It’s overall objective is to increase EU-India business collaboration in accelerating circular economy transition. Concreate activities are: - engage a curated group of European companies and relevant industry associations. - facilitate structured business interactions with Indian counterparts, and where relevant with selected participants from other EU CERC partner countries. - support concrete collaboration discussions in selected priority value chains. - identify investment-relevant business opportunities linked to these value chains. - use WCEF2026 as a platform for targeted business engagement before, during and after the forum. The assignment is intended to deliver a focused and practical process. It does not aim at broad participation, general promotion, or the development of investment cases. Target group The exchange will engage a curated group of approximately 30–40 European companies. The group will be selected based on a set of criteria, including relevance to the priority value chains defined for the assignment: ICT & electronics, batteries, manufacturing industry, build environment & infrastructure and related secondary raw materials. The primary focus is on companies with existing operations in India or a clear strategic interest in entering the Indian market. As a guiding distribution: − ~60% companies already active in India − ~40% companies exploring market entry (“India-curious”) The group should reflect key roles within selected value chains and include: − large corporations (value chain leaders and industrial actors) − small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) − start-ups and scale-ups with relevant circular In addition, a limited number of relevant companies or stakeholders from other EU CERC partner countries participating in WCEF2026 may be included, where this supports the selected value chains and adds strategic value. Engagement will be organised at value chain or cluster level, rather than through fully customised company-specific matchmaking, to ensure focus, efficiency and relevance. Scope of work The assignment is structured as a focused, facilitation-oriented process built around three phases: preparation (before WCEF2026), implementation (during WCEF2026), and follow-up (after WCEF2026). The approach should be value chain-driven, targeted and practical, building on existing knowledge, and networks. The assignment does not include in-depth analysis, transaction support, or long-term programme implementation. The focus is on quality and relevance of interactions rather than volume. Work packages 1. Mobilisation and preparation (before WCEF2026) 2. Curated participation at WCEF2026 3. Value chain matchmaking and deal rooms at WCEF2026 (core component) 4. Follow-up and continuity (after WCEF2026) A detailed description of work packages is provided in APPENDIX 1: Description of the Procurement. Expected outputs The assignment is expected to deliver the following outputs: − Engagement of a curated group of 30-40 European companies and relevant industry associations aligned with selected priority value chains. − Delivery of a concise India Opportunity Brief (approx. 8-10 pages). − Organisation of value chain-based matchmaking activities during WCEF2026, ensuring 3-5 meetings per European company with Indian counterparts. − Design and facilitation of 1-2 Circular Deal Rooms as part of the matchmaking process. − Organisation of at least 2-3 follow-up sessions to continue value chain-specific discussions after WCEF2026. − Identification of investment-relevant opportunities, including initial indications of potential financing pathways where relevant. Expected outcomes The assignment is expected to contribute to the following outcomes: − Initiation of concrete EU–India business collaboration discussions within selected priority value chains, supported by informed and committed participants − Strengthened connections between European companies and Indian counterparts in targeted value chains, including early signals of feasibility and stakeholders’ commitment. − Progress towards a limited number of investment-relevant circular economy business opportunities aligned with EU strategic interest and Global Gateway priorities. − Contribution to the development of potential circular economy collaboration pathways and project pipelines in selected value chains. − Enhanced positioning of EU CERC and WCEF as platforms for EU-partner country business engagement, particularly in advancing circular economy opportunities within priority value chains. Implementation approach principles − Value chain-driven, focusing on selected priority areas rather than broad thematic coverage. − Targeted and curated, prioritizing relevance and quality of participants over volume − Business-oriented, with a clear focus on concrete collaboration opportunities − Demand-driven, aligned with partner country context and needs − Light, practical and cost-efficient, building on existing networks and avoiding unnecessary complexity − Designed to ensure continuity of engagement beyond WCEF2026 During this assignment, the contracted service provider will work in close collaboration with Sitra’s EU CERC and WCEF teams, and the Indian Partner organisation (to be confirmed later). The estimated implementation period of the assignment is approximately from June 2026 to March 2027.

EU CERC The EU Circular Economy Resource Centre (EU CERC) is a five-year initiative (2024-2029) funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, and implemented by Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund, and Enabel, the Belgian Agency for International Cooperation. The EU CERC promotes the uptake of sound circular economy policies and business models, based on peer-to-peer exchanges and partnerships between stakeholders from the EU and partner countries. Further information on EU CERC is available on the following web address: https://www.sitra.fi/en/eu-cerc/. WCEF: The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) is a global initiative by Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund, and since 2017 it has become the leading annual international event and collaboration platform for the circular economy. WCEF brings together business leaders, policymakers, experts and other key stakeholders to showcase the world’s most advanced circular economy solutions, share best practices and foster international cooperation. Through high level keynote speeches, panel discussions, thematic sessions and side events, the forum aims to accelerate the global transition to a circular economy while offering participants opportunities for learning, networking and the development of new partnerships. WCEF as a platform for EU CERC collaboration The WCEF provides a strategic global platform that strongly complements the objectives of EU CERC. As a leading international convening space for circular economy policymakers, businesses and practitioners, WCEF enables EU CERC to bring together stakeholders from the European Union and EU partner countries to exchange knowledge, build partnerships and accelerate the uptake of circular economy policies and business models. Through its high-level main programme and practice-oriented accelerator sessions, WCEF offers EU CERC stakeholders a structured environment to engage in peer-to-peer dialogue, showcase concrete solutions and explore opportunities for collaboration across priority value chains. The forum supports EU CERC’s role as a facilitator of partnerships between EU actors and partner country counterparts, particularly by creating space for targeted matchmaking, joint initiatives and business‑to‑business exchanges. WCEF reinforces EU CERC’s ambition to translate shared learning into practical action and long‑term partnerships that support circular economy transitions in Europe and beyond. WCEF2026 in India: The World Circular Economy Forum 2026 will be held in Gandhinagar, India. The four‑day event will take place on 15–18 September and will be hosted by Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund, together with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), operating under India’s Ministry of Environment. WCEF2026 positions India as a global testbed for circular economy solutions that work at scale in a resource constrained world. The forum highlights the circular economy as a practical economic strategy that strengthens competitiveness and growth by combining India’s industrial scale, digital and AI capabilities, long standing traditions, and the transition of informal work into higher value circular activities. The focus shifts upstream from recycling towards product design, value chains, business models and industrial ecosystems, while recognising the continued importance of downstream systems such as recycling and secondary material markets. The programme shares best practices and policy innovations, enables business connections and technology transfer, and concentrates on priority sectors including textiles, automotive, electronics, critical minerals and hard to abate industries. Across four interconnected tracks – people, business, governance and growth – WCEF2026 connects local solutions with global markets, supporting an inclusive, scalable and impactful transition to a circular economy. The assignment This assignment builds on the EU CERC in particular its Business Lab, which supports EU–partner country business cooperation, mobilises European companies, and connects circular solutions to markets and investment opportunities in line with EU strategic interests and the Global Gateway strategy. The primary focus is on EU–India cooperation. At the same time, the assignment may selectively engage companies and stakeholders from other relevant EU CERC partner countries participating in WCEF2026, where this supports priority value chains and adds strategic value. The assignment will focus on a limited number of priority value chains aligned with EU strategic interests, EU CERC priorities and the thematic focus of WCEF2026. The primary focus is on value chains related to critical raw materials (CRMs), in particular ICT & electronics, batteries, manufacturing industry, build environment & infrastructure and related secondary raw materials. In addition, a small number of other value chains may be included where they demonstrate clear potential for EU–partner country business cooperation. The assignment contributes to strengthening EU–India business cooperation in accelerating circular transition and to positioning WCEF as a platform for targeted business engagement, value chain collaboration and the identification of investment-relevant opportunities in this field. Implementation will take place in close cooperation with key Indian stakeholders, including the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), with connections facilitated by the contracting authority.