The NCCA is proudly supporting an Australian delegation to Amsterdam and Rotterdam from Monday 15 to Friday 19 March 2027, timed with Week van de Circulaire Economie (Dutch Circular Economy Week), the country's largest and most influential circular economy event.
We are very pleased to have partnered with Boomerang Labs, Australia's leading circular economy accelerator, to bring you this Circular Economy Innovation Mission, delivered in collaboration with Amsterdam Circular. Boomerang Labs has been working with Dutch partners since 2025 and brings deep knowledge of the circular ecosystem in both countries.
Amsterdam is not just talking about the circular economy, it is building it, block by block. As one of the world's most advanced circular cities, it is home to world-first business models, city-scale reuse infrastructure and an innovation ecosystem designed from the ground up. Over five days you will walk the sites, meet the founders and build relationships with the people shaping global circular economy practice.
This is a genuinely two-way exchange: a chance to bring the best Dutch ideas home, and to put Australian circular innovation on the global stage.
Places are limited. Use the Register your interest button below to email the NCCA team and secure your spot. Book through the NCCA and receive a 5% discount on your delegate fee.
Who Should Attend
This delegation is for Australian champions of the circular economy looking for global opportunities and inspiration:
Senior circular economy leaders in corporates
Leaders in local, state and federal government
Circular economy startup and scaleup founders
Other circular economy professionals looking for inspiration
What You Will Experience
Come face to face with cutting-edge circularity. Tour leading circular projects across Amsterdam, Rotterdam and surrounding towns. See the case studies in person, touch the materials and meet the people making them happen.
Put Australian circularity on the global stage. Share what is happening here, showcase emerging Australian approaches and innovations, and add an Australian perspective to the conversations during Circular Economy Week.
Meet your Dutch counterparts. Connect with people working on the same challenges on the other side of the world. Compare approaches, swap insights and build relationships across business, government, research and the wider circular ecosystem.
Experience a circular economy in action. Immerse yourself in the everyday behaviours, businesses and systems that make circularity feel normal in the Netherlands, and join events across the local ecosystem during the national Circular Economy Week.
Explore Australian-Dutch collaboration. Both countries share ambitious circular economy goals but bring different strengths. Explore opportunities spanning business, policy, investment, research and innovation.
Bring the best ideas home. Hear from global leaders including Circle Economy, the organisation behind the Circularity Gap Report, and AMS Institute, home of Amsterdam Circular, and dig into what has put the Netherlands at the forefront of circularity.
Four Sector Themes
The themes were chosen based on shared Australian and Dutch interests across policy, industry strengths and market activity:
Textiles: Amsterdam has a growing ecosystem of repair, reuse and textile recovery businesses, supported by municipal initiatives and European policy.
Construction: Amsterdam is moving beyond individual demonstration projects, using municipal procurement, urban development and material reuse to reshape industry practice.
Agrifood: The Dutch approach connects urban food systems, agricultural innovation and resource recovery, with a focus on reducing waste and strengthening regional supply chains.
Sustainability in sport: Major Dutch sporting venues have become testing grounds for circular solutions, both on the pitch and in the crowds.
The Program
Indicative program, times are local Amsterdam time and subject to change as final scheduling is confirmed.
Monday 15 March: Set the scene and challenge assumptions
9:30am onwards: Hotel check-in
10:00am: Official Welcome Event with the innovation mission partners, featuring Australian and Dutch presentations, panels and facilitated discussion
3:00pm: Free time
4:00pm: City walking or bike tour. Explore Amsterdam like a local, get your bearings and learn how the Dutch have built circularity into everyday life
7:00pm: Delegation dinner at a Circular Economy Week event
Tuesday 16 March: From solo innovations to circular value chains
Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am: Gouden Koffie, a curated Australian-Dutch networking event
11:00am: Circular Amsterdam visit. Learn about their innovation-led MVE methodology and explore how to build circular value chains in Australia
2:00pm: Site tour afternoon at CRCL Park, Marineterrein and United Repair Centre
Evening: Free time to settle in, explore the streets or join the wide variety of Circular Economy Week events
Wednesday 17 March: See circularity in action
Early breakfast at the hotel
8:00am: Day trip to Rotterdam, with stops including BlueCity, Rotterdam Food Hub, The SwapShop and more
Evening: Free time
Thursday 18 March: Deep dive into four themes
Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am: Workshop with Circle Economy on Financing the Circular Economy, with insights from the Circularity Gap Report and the related Finance Report
12:00pm: Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO)
2:00pm: Sector deep dives, with facilitated discussions on sustainability in sport, textiles, agrifood and construction
4:30pm: Johan Cruijff ArenA tour, the world’s first B Corp certified stadium
7:00pm: Delegation dinner at a Circular Economy Week event
Friday 19 March: Turn inspiration into next steps
Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am: Aussie innovation site tour. See a globally scaled Australian innovation in Amsterdam
11:00am: Morning tea
11:30am: Final workshop and guest speakers
1:00pm: Mission wrap-up. Revisit assumptions, key learnings, collaborations and next steps
2:00pm: Celebratory closing lunch
Evening: Film festival hosted by Amsterdam Circular, optional for those staying on in Amsterdam
Investment and Inclusions
Delegate fee: from $6,000 + GST per person
NCCA discount: book through the NCCA and receive 5% off your delegate fee.
Early bird: save $500 on the delegate fee when you register by 22 December 2026.
Included:
The full five-day program from Monday 15 to Friday 19 March 2027
All site tour fees
Accommodation for the duration of the mission
Most meals, including two delegation dinners and the celebratory closing lunch
Workshops, curated Australian-Dutch networking and access to Circular Economy Week events in the itinerary
Not included:
Airfares to and from the Netherlands
Travel insurance
Any additional travel days beyond 15 to 19 March
Key Dates
5 November 2026: Innovation Mission announced and expressions of interest open
18 November 2026: Online information session (email us for the link)
22 December 2026: Early bird registrations close, save $500
29 January 2027: Final registrations close
15 to 19 March 2027: Innovation Mission in the Netherlands
How to Register
Places on the delegation are limited. To register your interest, ask a question or join the online information session, email info@ncca.com.au and our team will come back to you with the registration details. Booking through the NCCA gives you a 5% discount on the delegate fee.
Partner and Sponsorship Opportunities
Organisations can also get involved as a mission partner, an itinerary contributor, by sponsoring a branded scholarship for a startup delegate, or through a bespoke partnership. Sponsors and partners receive discounted delegate registration, brand recognition in promotional material and opportunities to feature in the formal events of the program. Email us to find out more.
About Boomerang Labs
Boomerang Labs is Australia’s leading circular economy accelerator, growing ventures, convening the people and capital driving the transition, and building the practitioner community that sustains it. Learn more at boomeranglabs.org.au/amsterdam.
Not a Member Yet?
The mission is open to members and non-members. If you have been considering joining the NCCA, membership connects you with the Dutch-Australian business community all year round. Membership starts from just $50 per year.