The circular journey continues in the province of Lumbini. As the first cohort graduates, the second one begins. The Roots of Circularity (RoC) Incubator Programme 2025—funded by the European Union—has welcomed its Lumbini Cohort 2 with energy, ideas, and a shared commitment to circular innovation.
When the call for applications opened to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups across Lumbini Province, the response was met with great enthusiasm: 23 ambitious businesses applied to be part of the journey. Following a rigorous selection process, 15 made it to the interview stage and 10 exceptional enterprises ultimately earned their place in the cohort.
Their collective journey began at the Impact Hub Kathmandu Lumbini Incubator Space within the Butwal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BUCCI). The onboarding and orientation session set the stage for what’s ahead, introducing participants to the programme’s goals, structure, and shared vision: helping local enterprises embed circular economy principles at the heart of their work.
The momentum continued the next day with masterclasses diving into “Introduction to Circular Economy” and “Developing a Circular Mindset.” The sessions inspired participants to rethink waste, regeneration, and value creation. From exploring the shift from linear to circular models to using frameworks like the Butterfly Model, these workshops marked the beginning of a mindset shift—one that promises the deepening of participants’ understanding of circularity.
Lumbini’s First Cohort Completes Its Journey
Meanwhile, after months of experimentation, collaboration, and growth, the first Lumbini cohort of the Roots of Circularity (RoC) Incubator Programme has successfully completed their transformative journey—marking a milestone for circular innovation in the region.
The closing session was designed as a moment of reflection and vision-setting. Participants looked back on their journeys through questions like, “What did you like, learn, and long for?” and “What should you keep doing or start doing?” These reflections deepened their sense of purpose and clarified the next steps for their circular strategies.
Each enterprise concluded the programme by crafting a 6-month roadmap (complete with milestones, key activities, and performance indicators) to guide their next phase of circular growth. These plans ensure that circular innovation remains embedded in their day-to-day operations.
Before the final session, participants also completed a Circular Business Plan masterclass, which helped translate big ideas into actionable strategies. Through this hands-on session, they learned to clearly define their business models, sharpen their value propositions, develop robust circular strategies, and map out value networks—equipping them with the practical tools needed to turn circular concepts into actionable, market-ready plans.
As the first circular pioneers of Lumbini, these enterprises are now equipped to inspire others, proving that with the right mindset and structure, sustainability can be both a purpose and a pathway to lasting success.