Circular Material Valuer - Course Programme

GLOBALINNOVATIONGATHERING.ORG Circular Material Valuer Course Programme Circular Material Valuer: Course Programme The programme has four modules, each designed to build upon the last, culminating in a comprehensive understanding of the Circular Material Valuer's role. This document describes the Circular Material Valuer, a 15-week project-based course programme designed to equip individuals and organizations with the skills and mindset needed to divert valuable goods from the waste stream. It combines theoretical learning with hands-on, reflective activities to foster a holistic understanding of material reuse from a critical, ground-level perspective. © 2025. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0 Systemic View and Social Value Eyes and Hands of a Circular Valuer Information Systems and Economic Valuer Stories and Personal Value 1 2 3 4 2 Circular Material Valuer: Course Programme Systemic View and Social Value Module 1 3 This module provides the foundational knowledge for trainees, enabling them to critically understand the circular economy and its social-ecological implications. It challenges traditional notions of waste and linear production, promoting a more equitable and sustainable interaction with materials, and framing local actions as vital systemic interventions. Module Length: 4 weeks (2-3 hours per week) Circular Material Valuer: Course Programme Analysing mainstream discourse on product design, manufacturing, waste management and circular economy, identifying potentialities and shortcomings on these topics in relation to local systems for material reuse. Shifting from a passive "abundance" mindset to an intentional "generosity" mindset. Visualising local and regional material flows, stakeholder networks, and communication channels. Understanding, engaging with, and leveraging existing social groups and initiatives. Module 1: Systemic View and Social Value 4 Community Engagement Systems Mapping Ethical Framing Critical Thinking Core Competencies Circular Material Valuer: Course Programme Module 1: Systemic View and Social Value Introduce key concepts like the waste hierarchy, bioregions, and the critiques of top-down circularity. Use readings and videos to spark discussion. The agent valoriste role in the French context will be introduced as a professional model in the social and solidarity economy. Use generative questions to facilitate group discussions on local challenges and opportunities for waste prevention. Map stakeholders, resources, and material flows in a chosen locality. Examine successful and unsuccessful initiatives in local and global contexts, such as community repair cafés, scrap shops like The Remakery, or historical models like the SERO System in East Germany. Theoretical Sessions Participatory Workshops Case Studies Methods 5 21 2 Stakeholder Interview 1 Local System Mapping Participants create a map of their city or neighbourhood, identifying relevant actors involved in retail and distribution, repair, reuse, and waste (e.g., formal waste facilities, informal donation points, repair shops, charities). Assignments Module 1: Systemic View and Social Value 6 Participants create a map of their city or neighbourhood, identifying relevant actors involved in retail and distribution, repair, reuse, and waste (e.g., formal waste facilities, informal donation points, repair shops, charities). Conduct a brief interview with a repairer, charity shop worker, or waste picker - either from local context or experiences elsewhere - to gain insight into their work and perspective. Circular Material Valuer: Course Programme Main Module Outcome Module 1: Systemic View and Social Value Local Reuse Plan Start developing a community-oriented project to promote or increase material reuse with a focus on supporting urban generosity, generating exchange among local stakeholders, promoting community education, and producing social-environmental value. 7 Circular Material Valuer: Course Programme Module Resources Module 1: Systemic View and Social Value Readings →Schröder, Patrick, et al. Circular Economy and the Global South. →Schmidt Fonseca, Felipe. Thesis title: Generous cities – weaving commons-oriented systems for the reuse of excess materials in urban contexts. Doctoral Thesis. Zenodo. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15263 864. →Clark, Liesl, and Rockefeller, Rebecca. The Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan. →Thackara, John. How to Thrive in the Next Economy. →Shannon Mattern, Maintenance and Care. In: Places Journal, November 2018. Accessed 08 Aug 2025. https://doi.org/10.22269/181120 →Translated Articles from French websites on the agent valoriste role. Videos →Furtado, Jorge. Ilha das Flores. →Walker, Lucy, et al. Waste Land. →"L'agent valoriste - un métier de l'économie circulaire" on YouTube. 8 Circular Material Valuer: Course Programme Eyes and Hands of a Circular Valuer This module is dedicated to developing the practical and embodied skills necessary for a material valuer, from initial assessment to hands-on intervention. Module Length: 3 weeks (3-4 hours per week) Module 2 9 Circular Material Valuer: Course Programme Collecting, analysing, and contributing to open data about reuse. Assessing market value and social value, identifying market gaps, and creating viable solidarity-oriented business models. Managing material flows, inventories, and storage solutions. Understanding incentive systems and advocating for supportive policies. Module 3: Information Systems and Economic Value 16 Policy Advocacy Logistics and Storage Economic Valuation Data Literacy Core Competencies Circular Material Valuer: Course Programme Use online marketplaces and databases to research the market characteristics of different materials and products. Explore tools online second-hand marketplaces for information on pricing and potential social demand. Apply business model frameworks to develop and critique a business plan for a reuse-focused initiative. Work with open data sets (e.g., from the Open Repair Alliance) to analyse repair trends, common failure points, and the impact of reuse. Online Research Labs Business Models Data Analysis Session Methods 17 Module 3: Information Systems and Economic Value 21 2 Policy Proposal 1 Material Flow Report Participants create a map of their city or neighbourhood, identifying relevant actors involved in retail and distribution, repair, reuse, and waste (e.g., formal waste facilities, informal donation points, repair shops, charities). Assignments 18 Document the journey of a specific material (e.g., textiles, wood) in your city and propose a digital inventory system for it, referencing tools like The Restart Project's Fixometer. Research the existence of local, regional and national policies and write reflections on how they can be used to encourage reuse. Module 3: Information Systems and Economic Value 21 4 Contextual Considerations 3 Market Analysis Participants create a map of their city or neighbourhood, identifying relevant actors involved in retail and distribution, repair, reuse, and waste (e.g., formal waste facilities, informal donation points, repair shops, charities). Assignments 19 Conduct a market survey for a chosen second-hand item or material and present a pricing strategy for a social enterprise or reuse shop. Research how value is perceived and assigned in different regions. Module 3: Information Systems and Economic Value Circular Material Valuer: Course Programme Main Module Outcome Data Strategy Develop a strategy for data collection and analysis to support local and regional material reuse - choose between available digital tools for inventory, evaluation and communications. 20 Module 3: Information Systems and Economic Value Circular Material Valuer: Course Programme Module Resources Readings →Mazzucato, Mariana. The Value of Everything. →Ostrom, Elinor. Governing the Commons. →Minter, Adam. Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale. →Raworth, Kate. Doughnut Economics. Websites & Tools →Local Economies →IFIXIT Repair Guides →Open Repair Alliance Dataset →The Restart Project's Fixometer →Make Works →Dsposal →Instructables →YouTube channels on reuse, upcycling, repair and re-circulation 21 Module 3: Information Systems and Economic Value Circular Material Valuer: Course Programme Stories and Personal Value Module 4 22 This module focuses on the human and cultural dimensions of reuse, emphasising the role of storytelling, creativity, and emotional connection in building a resilient, caring reuse community. Module Length: 3 weeks (2-3 hours per week) Circular Material Valuer: Course Programme Crafting narratives about objects and their journeys. Using photography, audio, and video to tell stories of reuse. Reflecting on personal relationships with objects and the social-emotional impact of waste. How to build on local culture and behaviour to leverage the reintroduction in use of goods and materials. Module 4: Stories and Personal Value 23 Campaigns and Stakeholder Management Ethical Reflection Visual Documentation Storytelling Core Competencies Organising events that foster a sense of belonging and collective action around reuse. Community Facilitation Circular Material Valuer: Course Programme Engage in creative writing, photography, or video production to tell the story of the reuse of a specific good or object. Organise and participate in group sessions where trainees share personal stories about repairs, family heirlooms, or found objects. Plan and run a small-scale event, such as a "swap meet," "repair café," or "maker faire," to put theory into practice and observe community dynamics. Creative Workshops Storytelling Circles Community Events Methods 24 Module 4: Stories and Personal Value 21 2 “What’s in Your Drawer?” Inventory 1 Narrative Project Participants create a map of their city or neighbourhood, identifying relevant actors involved in retail and distribution, repair, reuse, and waste (e.g., formal waste facilities, informal donation points, repair shops, charities). Assignments 25 Create a video, photo essay, or written piece documenting the emotional journey of an object that was repaired or upcycled. A personal reflection assignment where participants explore the items they own but don't use, reflecting on their stories and emotional value to cultivate an anti-disposable mindset. Module 4: Stories and Personal Value