Category: News

Switching to the Circular Economy: Modos Training for D8 Businesses

Posted on by Smartdoc

Switching to the Circular Economy: Modos Training for D8 Businesses


MODOS is a circular economy training programme for micro, small and medium size enterprises developed for Dublin City Council and the Waste Management Plan Lead Authority (WMPLA). The Digital Hub is now teaming up with Dublin City Council to deliver MODOS training for businesses in Dublin 8 in June 2021.

The programme will be delivered virtually. The trainers will make each session interactive with a mix of presentations, best practice case studies, exercises, and discussion to help participants apply the learning to their business.

What is the circular economy?

Our current economic model is based on a linear ‘take-make-waste’ approach, which is costly for businesses and bad for the environment. By contrast, a circular economy is efficient and environmentally sustainable. In a circular economy, products, components and materials are kept in use for as long as possible. Supply and production chains operate in ‘closed-loops’ making them less wasteful and more resilient. New business models based around leasing, re-manufacturing, recycling, and upcycling become possible, saving businesses money and reducing environmental impacts.

Adopting circular economy principles can help your business:

  • Save money, reduce waste, and increase resilience
  • Boost competitive advantage and brand reputation
  • Unlock new business opportunities that also help the environment

Who is this training programme suitable for?

MODOS is suitable for all businesses but is particularly relevant for those from the following sectors: construction and the built environment, food, retail, manufacturing, textiles and fashion, electronics, plastics, and packaging.

Dublin MODOS Programme Schedule

Below are the dates and times of the MODOS Training for D8 Businesses:

  • Circular Economy 101 – Tuesday 1st June from 9.30 to 13.30
  • CE in your supply chain – Tuesday 8th June from 9.30 to 13.30
  • CE in your operations – Tuesday 15th June from 9.30 to 13.30
  • CE and customer engagement – Tuesday 22nd June from 9.30 to 13.30
  • Close-out (1-hour wrap up) – Tuesday 29th June from 9.30 to 10.30

Following the training session, the trainers provide a 1-hour face-to-face mentoring with participants to discuss the learning outcomes and how they might be applied to their business.

Cost: A nominal fee will be charged for each module to ensure participants value the training and to go towards the cost of running the programme. The cost is €75 for all 4 modules, payable when businesses book their place.

How to Apply: Please complete and return the Application Form to register your interest.

FAQs: Here are some of the Questions & Answers on the programme.

For any other enquiries or questions about the MODOS Dublin 8 programme, please contact cviguier@thedigitalhub.com 

Smart D8 Call For Pilots 2021

Posted on by Smartdoc

This call for pilots is now closed

Smart D8, our latest Smart District, is a collaborative initiative to improve the health and wellbeing of citizens in Dublin 8 through innovation.

Bringing together public authorities, academia, healthcare, citizens and industry, Smart D8 applies a people-centred approach, with the engagement and active participation of the local community at its core.

In late 2020, the first SmartD8 Community Survey was launched, capturing the needs and priorities of the local community. Based on these findings we are now seeking innovative pilot projects that address three key areas:

Mental Health – Focused Call

  • Innovative approaches to managing mental health for individuals. Tools to support good mental health in the community including diagnostic, preventative, treatment, support and management solutions.

Population Health Management – Focused Call

  • Chronic Disease Management solutions that will allow people to manage their chronic health conditions in the community.
  • General Preventative Health solutions that can be implemented in a community setting to maintain good health and wellbeing.

Covid-19 Impact – Open Call

  • An open call for innovative and scalable solutions that will address the impact of Covid-19 on the health and wellbeing of the community in Dublin 8.

Who Should Apply?

The pilot call is open to all public and private sector organisations, companies and academia who:

  • Offer innovative and scalable products, services or devices.
  • Provide new practices/solutions/perspectives that address an unmet need in the community.
  • Have a solution that is ready for deployment within the next 6 months as a pilot initiative that will commence in 2021.
  • Provide a solution that can be enabled by a co-creation and collaborative approach.

Why Apply?

  • Opportunity to pilot and demonstrate the scalability of your offering in a community setting.
  • Access to a unique collaborative ecosystem with established clinical, academic, public and private sector engagement.
  • Funding support available for selected pilots.
  • Project management support.
  • Marketing and promotion support.
  • Access to free workspace in Dublin 8 during the pilot period.

Application Process

  • Companies must submit a completed application form available at the link below.
  • Pilot Call opens on 10.03.2021 and closes for applications at midnight on 28.04.2021.
  • Your submission will be reviewed by Smart D8 and an expert panel.   A shortlist of applicants will be selected and shortlisted companies will be asked to make a presentation.
  • An update on the call outcome will be provided to all applicants on 19.05.2021.