CIRCULAR-FIN DN: Doctoral Training for Green Finance, Circular Economy and Just Transitions

We are seeking to co-develop an interdisciplinary MSCA Doctoral Network focusing on the interconnections between circular economy, green and climate finance, sustainable business models, green skills and inclusive socio-economic transitions.

The proposed network will investigate how financial systems, businesses, public institutions and education systems can support the transition towards a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and socially inclusive economy. Particular attention will be given to the financing of circular business models, the development of green skills, sustainability-oriented entrepreneurship, institutional transformation and the economic and social implications of the green transition.

Potential research and doctoral training areas may include:

• Green and climate finance instruments
• Financing circular economy investments
• Circular and sustainable business models
• Green entrepreneurship and innovation
• Green skills, employability and vocational education
• Sustainable tourism and food waste reduction
• ESG practices and sustainability performance
• Just transition and social inclusion
• Public policy and institutional governance
• Stakeholder participation in sustainability transitions

The Doctoral Network is envisaged as an interdisciplinary and intersectoral platform connecting universities, research institutions, businesses, SMEs, financial institutions, public authorities, vocational education providers and civil society organisations.

Doctoral candidates would benefit from international supervision, interdisciplinary research, transferable skills training and secondments in academic and non-academic organisations. Potential training activities may cover research methods, project management, entrepreneurship, science communication, stakeholder engagement, sustainability impact assessment and career development.

Manisa Celal Bayar University can contribute expertise in economics, finance, sustainable development, circular economy, vocational education, tourism, internationalisation and European project development. The university can also contribute to stakeholder engagement, doctoral and transferable skills training, dissemination, communication, impact planning, international networking and project management activities.

We are particularly interested in connecting with:

• An experienced MSCA Doctoral Networks coordinator
• Universities and research institutions with complementary research expertise
• Financial institutions and organisations working on sustainable finance
• Businesses and SMEs implementing circular or sustainable business models
• Public authorities, municipalities and development agencies
• Vocational education and training organisations
• NGOs and civil society organisations working on sustainability and inclusion
• Partners able to host doctoral candidates for secondments and applied research

The project idea is currently open to further conceptual development. Research themes, doctoral candidate projects, work packages and consortium roles will be jointly designed according to the expertise and strategic interests of the participating organisations.