How We Work

At CARE, science meets collaboration to inspire action. By co-creating solutions with households, using data-driven insights, and fostering creativity, we make circular living practical, impactful, and enjoyable. Let’s unlock the power of everyday choices!

CARE’s Approach

At CARE, we bring together science and collaboration to create real-world impact. Our approach combines innovative methodologies with hands-on engagement to make circular living accessible, effective, and enjoyable for all. Here is how we make it work:

Co-Creation: We work directly with households to design interventions tailored to their daily needs. For instance, participating families take part in workshops where they co-develop solutions tailored to their food and clothing habits. This ensures that solutions are not just theoretical but grounded in real-life contexts.
Data-Driven: Our work is guided by methodologies like such as Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). These tools allow us to measure the true environmental and social impact of household behaviours. For instance, LCA evaluates how switching to reused clothing or reducing food waste can cut CO2 emissions.
Evidence-Based Behavioural Science: Through comprehensive literature reviews and ethnographic studies, we identify the barriers and motivators behind consumption behaviours. This research shapes interventions that resonate with households, making sustainable choices easier and more intuitive.
Accessible and Fun: Circular living doesn’t have to be complicated or boring! CARE creates engaging activities and challenges that make circular living enjoyable. Imagine a “wardrobe detox week” or a “no-waste cooking challenge”, where households learn, share, and thrive together.

CARE’s Work Packages: Driving Change Step by Step

The CARE project is structured into seven interconnected work packages, each focusing on a critical area to ensure the project’s success. These work packages enable collaboration, innovative solutions, and measurable impacts across multiple sectors.

Work Package 1: Evaluation of CARE Activities’ Environmental and Sustainable Well-Being Impacts

Led by BOKU, this work package evaluates the environmental, social, and economic impacts of CARE interventions. Using robust metrics such as Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and sustainability indicators, it ensures that project activities achieve measurable and meaningful change.
Work Package 2: Co-Design for Advisory Services and Pilots

Focusing on co-creating circular solutions with households and stakeholders, this work package designs and refines interventions targeting food and clothing consumption. Led by Tampere University, WP2 ensures that solutions are both practical and impactful through close collaboration with participants.
Work Package 3: Circular Food Pilots

Led by Lund University, this package implements and evaluates pilot programmes to reduce food waste and promote circular food consumption. Interventions include community-led activities and innovative tools to optimise food resource efficiency.
Work Package 4: Circular Clothing Pilots

Led by OsloMet, this work package focuses on circular solutions for clothing consumption. Through interventions focusing on care and washing, or learning how to repair and redesign garments, it promotes sustainable practices and reduces dependency on new purchases.
Work Package 5: Communication and Dissemination

Led by CSCP, this work package ensures that CARE’s activities and results reach diverse audiences. Through targeted strategies, publications, events, and the future CARE Toolbox, WP5 inspires communities to adopt circular living practices.
Work Package 6: Project Management and Coordination

Led by Tampere University, this work package ensures smooth collaboration among project partners, effective resource management, and compliance with EU guidelines. WP6 keeps the project on track to achieve its ambitious goals.
Work Package 7: Ethics Requirements

Overseen by Tampere University, this package ensures the highest ethical standards in all CARE activities. It protects participants’ data, ensures inclusivity and anticipates and addresses any potential vulnerabilities, to maintain the integrity of the project.

Let’s team up!

Ready to transform everyday habits into measurable impact? CARE is a collaborative effort. Whether you’re a researcher, community advocate, industry expert or policy maker, there’s a way to contribute to our mission. Let’s empower European households to cut food waste and extend the lifespan of clothes!

Get involved