PREVENT at the Climate Week in Medellín

PREVENT will join Climate Week Medellín to showcase practical approaches to financing the circular economy and scaling reuse systems in cities.

From 28 September onwards, Climate Week Medellín will bring together local and international actors working on climate action, innovation and sustainable development. The programme covers key topics including climate finance, sustainable and resilient cities, and the circular economy.

On 29 September 2026, a dedicated Circular Economy Day will bring together organisations and practitioners to exchange experiences and solutions for accelerating the circular transition. PREVENT and the Circular City Labs initiative will contribute two sessions focusing on circular economy finance and urban reuse systems.

PREVENT Finance Working Group: strengthening finance for the circular economy

Actividades y Grupo de Trabajo Financiero de PREVENT

The session will present initiatives developed within the PREVENT Waste Alliance to strengthen access to finance for circular economy solutions. It will introduce practical tools, activities and lessons learned from the PREVENT Finance Working Group and explore how networks and knowledge-sharing can help connect circular solutions with suitable financing opportunities.

Speakers:

• Jimena Duarte, Transformation Manager
• Silke Megelski, Circular Economy Specialist, GIZ

📅 Tuesday, 29 September 2026
🕛 12:00–12:30 p.m.
📍 Salón Restrepo, Jardín Botánico de Medellín

PREVENT Member at the Climate Week:

Scaling reuse systems for climate action

Escalando sistemas de reúso para la acción climática

A second session will explore how cities can create enabling environments for reuse systems and translate circular economy ambitions into practical implementation.

The first part will share experiences from Circular City Labs (CCL), an initiative that promotes reusable packaging systems in cities while strengthening local circular economies. In Medellín, the initiative has worked with local partners to test and strengthen approaches for reuse and returnable packaging.

The second part will broaden the perspective through a case study on inclusive reuse approaches in Ecuador, followed by a panel discussion bringing together representatives from local government, implementing partners, businesses and city networks.

Speakers and panellists:

• Silke Megelski, Circular Economy Specialist, GIZ
• Federico Restrepo Sierra, Director, Impact Hub Colombia
• Sara Restrepo Aristizábal, Professional Officer – Solid Waste Management Team, Secretariat of Environment, Special District of Science, Technology and Innovation of Medellín
• Sergio Aranguren, Technical Coordinator, ICLEI Colombia
• Ana Maria Villegas, CEO, Xiclo

📅 Tuesday, 29 September 2026
🕑 From 2:00 p.m.
📍 Jardín Botánico de Medellín

Join us in Medellín to exchange experiences, connect with circular economy practitioners and explore how financing, partnerships and urban innovation can help move circular solutions from ideas to implementation.

Are you a PREVENT Member and will host a session at the Climate Week?

Let us know and we will feature you aswell!