The World Circular Economy Forum (#WCEF2026) made history by taking place in India for the very first time at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. Bringing together global leaders, innovators, and policymakers, the forum marked a major milestone in advancing resource efficiency and sustainable development.

While much of the mainstream dialogue centered on end-of-pipe solutions like recycling and waste management, we had a crucial perspective that the true circularity requires activating both big and small loops of the economy. While end-of-pipe recycling is essential, it represents only a fraction of the solution.

At the core of this transition lie micro-entrepreneurs and MSMEs. These grassroots leaders possess the agility to turn underutilised resources and local waste streams into viable economic value. To accelerate this transition, we are expanding our focus on repair business models, supplementing existing work in Energy Transition and Biomass valorisation.

Moving from a linear 'take-make-waste' model to a regenerative circular economy demands systemic change. By equipping micro-entrepreneurs with technology, capacity building, and market linkages, communities can build resilient, sustainable businesses from the ground up & scaling circular entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.