Global Circular Challenge 2026

The Global Circular Challenge is powered by Design Thinking — a human-centred approach to innovation that helps teams tackle complex problems, generate new ideas and test solutions in the real world.

Throughout the challenge, participants will apply three core principles:

Empathy

Understand the needs, behaviours and experiences of the people you are designing for.

Invention

Explore new possibilities and imagine solutions that challenge existing ways of thinking.

Iteration

Test, refine and improve ideas through feedback and experimentation.

Most products today follow a linear model:

Take → Make → Waste

The Circular Economy offers an alternative approach that keeps products and materials in use for longer while reducing waste and environmental impact.

It is built on three key principles:

Design Out Waste

Reduce waste and pollution from the start.

Keep Materials in Use

Extend the life of products through reuse, repair, refurbishment and recycling.

Regenerate Natural Systems

Support systems that restore and strengthen the natural environment.

The transition to a circular economy is not simply about reducing harm—it is an opportunity to create new forms of value, innovation and long-term resilience.

Kick Off:

October 7th, 2026

Finals Weekend:

November 19th - 21st, 2026

Free to Join

Participation in the Global Circular Challenge is completely free.

Additional Expenses

Participants are responsible for arranging and funding their own travel to London for the Finals Weekend.

Assignment Workload

The time required for each assignment varies depending on its complexity, how work is divided among the team, and the team's working style.

Assignment 1 → TearDown Lab (2 hrs)
Assignment 2 → Footprint Analysis (4 hrs)
Assignment 3 → User Poster (4 hrs)
Assignment 4 → Missing Actor (4 hrs)
Assignment 5 → Business Model Canvas (3 hrs)
Assignment 6 → TAM/SAM/SOM Financials (2 hrs)
Assignment 7 → Pitch Presentation (6+ hrs)

Learn by Doing

The programme focuses on applying design thinking to a real-world challenge rather than testing existing subject knowledge.

Participants will learn how to:

• Analyse complex information
• Explore new data sources
• Create solutions with user needs in mind
• Work effectively in teams
• Communicate ideas that inspire action

Weekly Commitment

Participants should expect to spend approximately 3–4 hours per week on the programme.

Typical Weekly Breakdown

• 2.5–3 hours completing team assignments
• 1 hour attending the weekly feedback workshop

A Fast-Paced Experience

The programme is designed to be high-energy and collaborative. Teams are encouraged to establish a regular meeting schedule early to make group work more efficient.

Weekly Programme Communications

Participants will receive regular updates and guidance throughout the challenge:

Weekly Check-In Email

• Sent Thursdays at 1:00pm EST / 6:00pm BST

Weekly Journals

• Distributed Mondays at 10:00am EST / 3:00pm BST
• Due Wednesdays at 3:00pm EST / 8:00pm BST

Mentor Feedback

• Delivered during the weekly workshop each Wednesday

Weekly Workshops

Attend weekly feedback sessions featuring team presentations and feedback from fashion industry experts.

Speed Networking

Meet fashion professionals and learn about internship and career opportunities.

Dress Rehearsal

Present your team's pitch to judges and receive feedback before the Semi-Final competition.

Student Social Event

Connect with fellow GCC participants during the Finals Weekend.

Create a Design Thinking Portfolio

Participants are encouraged to document and archive their work throughout the programme.

Showcase Your Growth

Assignments can become valuable portfolio pieces that demonstrate creativity, leadership and problem-solving skills.

Career Development

Many past participants have used their Global Circular Challenge experience to help shape new academic and professional opportunities.

Open to Undergraduate & Graduate Students

The Global Circular Challenge welcomes both undergraduate and graduate students.

Diverse Academic Backgrounds

Past participants have come from a wide range of disciplines, including:

Business Management, Fashion, Merchandising, Finance, Architecture, Linguistics, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Retail Management, Logistics, Economics, Engineering, Marketing, Material Science, Urban Planning, Geography and Public Policy.

School Team Allocation

Each school may send up to two teams to the Global Circular Challenge.

This limit helps ensure participation from a diverse range of institutions worldwide.

If additional teams wish to participate, the GCC team can support conversations between faculty members to determine team representation.

All teams must have a sponsoring faculty advisor.

Each team may have 3 - 6 (max) members and each member must be a currently enrolled student.

Expectations & Responsibilities

Coordinate with other teams & faculty advisors if they have more than two teams participating.

Be available via email to check in on team progress.

Supporting faculty member(s) do not have to attend finals weekend.

Faculty should be available to consult with the team on their solutions and progress, and help students learn and pivot from mentor feedback.

The best way to describe a good advisor is to think of them as coaches. Coaches help teams ask questions, review final drafts, guide students to learn from feedback, without taking away ownership from the students.