[Kyoto City × Harch] Circular Business Design School Kyoto to launch a learning program for local businesses on transitioning to a circular economy

As part of the “FY2025 Circular Economy Foundation Development Project” commissioned to Harch by Kyoto City, the learning program “Circular Business Design School Kyoto,” focusing on the circular economy for local businesses, will begin on October 14, 2025.

Background of the program

In recent years, there has been a global shift from a linear economy of mass production, consumption, and disposal to a circular economy (CE) that sustainably and efficiently utilizes resources and creates added value. The Japanese government has positioned CE as a national strategy and is accelerating efforts toward its realization.

Kyoto City has long worked with citizens and businesses on “waste reduction” and “resource circulation.” Building on these strengths and keeping pace with global and national trends, the city is working toward a “circular economy” to achieve a society that can continue sustainable development while promoting efficient use of limited resources and ensuring environmentally sound economic growth.

To accelerate these efforts, the city will implement the “Circular Business Design School Kyoto,” a learning program aimed at helping local businesses acquire knowledge of the circular economy and develop circular business models.

Official website of Circular Business Design School Kyoto

Program concept

Decode Culture, Design Future – Unravel wisdom and design innovation –

Kyoto has cultivated assets over 1,200 years, such as the spirit of “shimatsu no kokoro”, circular lifestyles, and craftsmanship traditions. What is needed to realize a circular future is the creativity to apply this wisdom to the present and carry it forward to the future.

This program allows participants to learn from advanced practices in Kyoto City, global circular design, and business models, to reflect on their own strengths, and to co-create innovations with peers. By combining Kyoto’s heritage of circular wisdom with the latest circular economy knowledge, the program provides a place for learning and creation to envision and realize the desired future.

Program overview

• Name: Circular Business Design School Kyoto
• Duration: October 14, 2025 – January 23, 2026
• Structure: 6 sessions + networking event
• Capacity: Approx. 20 participants (If the number of applicants exceeds capacity, a selection process will be conducted.)
• Participation fee: Free
• Eligibility:
  • Those who can attend all sessions (6 sessions + networking event)
  • Companies or sole proprietors with headquarters or offices in Kyoto City (including those planning to establish or relocate there)
  • Those who wish to develop or are already working on CE-related businesses, products, or services
• Organizer: Kyoto City (operated by Harch Inc.)
• Application period: September 3, 2025 – September 26, 2025, 5:00 PM
• Official site & application: https://cbdskyoto.jp/ (in Japanese)

Program details

From October 2025 to January 2026, the program will run over 6 sessions plus a networking event. Participants will acquire foundational knowledge of the circular economy, receive advice from experts, engage in prototyping circular business models and products, and present their results at the final session.

Session 1*

Theme: Circular economy frontlines – Business models for sustainable value creation and Kyoto’s potential
Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 17:00–21:00
Venue: QUESTION (390-2 Shimomaruya-cho, Kawaramachi-dori Oike-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City)

Session 2

Theme: Fieldwork in Kyoto (urban area) – Learning about circular practices in the city
Date: Friday, October 31, 2025, 9:00–18:00
Venue: Various locations in Kyoto

Session 3**

Theme: Fieldwork in Kyoto (Keihoku area) – Learning about satoyama wisdom that supported the city
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025, 9:00–18:00
Venue: Various locations in Kyoto

Networking event

Theme: Circular Business Design School Kyoto Open Day – Cultivating a circular ecosystem
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025, 18:00–21:00
Venue: QUESTION

Session 4

Theme: Kyoto traditional culture × circular design workshop – Developing circular business ideas
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 18:00–21:00
Venue: Impact Hub Kyoto (97 Kainokami-cho, Nakadachiuri Nishi-iru, Aburanokoji-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City)

Session 5

Theme: Circular design practice × prototyping workshop – Shaping the desired circular future
Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 18:00–21:00
Venue: FabCafe Kyoto (554 Motoshiogama-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto)

Session 6*

Theme: Final presentation
Date: Friday, January 23, 2026, 13:00–18:00
Venue: QUESTION

*Session 1 and Session 6 are open to the public.
**The networking event will also welcome participants from outside the program, including businesses, financial institutions, and universities.

IDEAS FOR GOOD “Kyoto Circular Economy Feature”

To coincide with the launch of this program, the web magazine “IDEAS FOR GOOD,” operated by Harch, will publish a special feature of seven articles titled “Kyoto Circular Economy Feature,” covering the background of Kyoto City’s CE initiatives, its strengths, and excellent CE practices in the city. Please take a look from the link below.

• Special feature title: Kyoto Circular Economy Feature
• Feature URL: https://ideasforgood.jp/kyotoce/ (in Japanese)

Inquiries and applications

If you are interested in this project, please visit the Circular Business Design School Kyoto website below for inquiries and applications.

[Reference] Kyoto City × Harch to launch “Circular Business Design School Kyoto” (in Japanese)
[Related Site] Circular Business Design School Kyoto official site (in Japanese)