Circular Economy in Action: Our FAB Festival 2025 Brings 200 People Together! What happens when three innovative hubs in Germany’s Bergisch City Triangle open their doors for a hands-on festival showcasing and celebrating the circular economy? Bold ideas come to life! Around 200 visitors joined our FAB Festival 2025, experiencing the circular economy firsthand through upcycling workshops, immersive nature activities, and meaningful networking. Day One: Kick-off in Remscheid The FAB Festival opened with an inspiring kick-off at the Gründerschmiede in Remscheid. Here, the circular economy met the start-up spirit: innovative projects and collaborations from the region were present and the day was filled with new ideas and lively discussions. Best practices from the project’s three lead markets of textiles, construction, and food were presented. Among the exhibitors were the furniture upcycling project by Picard + Birkenstock in collaboration with Lebenshilfe Remscheid, as well as Future Cleantech Architects. A key highlight was Fabby, our AI-supported circular economy expert, sparking widespread curiosity and excitement. We were also happy to see that several mayoral candidates for the city of Remscheid showed up at the festival to experience circular economy in action and engage with the participants. Day Two: Nature and Innovation in Wuppertal On day two, Gut Einern in Wuppertal invited visitors to experience the circular economy in direct interaction with nature and technology. Visitors explored the vertical farm, the permaculture garden, and the digital learning bus. Maker-workshops, live podcasts, and interactive formats made the day an experience for the whole family. Festival visitors had the chance to experience the surrounding fields, see the honeybees, and the stop by the textile workshop booth. There was plenty for children and adults to try out, including creating mini-ecosystems in jars or preparing delicious, homemade salad parcels with lettuce from the vertical farm. Day Three: Hands-on sustainability in Solingen On the last day, the Gläserne Werkstatt in Solingen opened its doors for a day full of creativity and sustainability. Visitors were able to experience the diversity of the circular economy: whether at the opening of GESA’s new second-hand pop-up store, the entertaining fashion challenge, the upcycling workshops with bicycle inner tubes, or the project gallery walk, the possibilities were countless. Crafts, fashion, and regional innovation complemented each other to create an inspiring overall experience. Many of the visitors were impressed by the second-hand pop-up shop’s broad selection. Curious? If you’re in or around the Bergisch City Triangle region, feel free to drop by the store anytime — it’ll be open at the Gläserne Werkstatt through the end of 2025! The FAB Festival concluded with a powerful message: with the right setting and hands-on opportunities, people in the region are eager to engage with circular economy solutions and embed them into their daily routines! For further questions, please contact Nils Kreft. Photos © Juliane Herrmann