The transition to a circular economy relies entirely on the passion, dedication, and real-world impact of our global network. From our club leads running over 70 local clubs worldwide to the innovators embedding circular principles into businesses and supply chains, our volunteers are the ones actively moving the world beyond waste. They are the real people making real progress on the ground every day.
To recognise this incredible global effort, we are excited to announce the launch of a dedicated category within the inaugural CIWM Volunteer Awards 2026 – the CEI Volunteer of the Year.
This new annual award specifically recognises volunteers who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing the circular economy through their work with Circular Economy Clubs (CEC) and Circular Economy Institute (CEI) initiatives.
Real People. Real Progress.
Whether it is a global club lead who has hosted transformative local events, or a peer who has helped you upgrade your credentials and unlock innovation in your industry, we want to hear about them.
The nomination window is open to all global volunteers of the Circular Economy Institute and Clubs. If someone in your network has inspired your journey or helped push a circular initiative forward, this is your opportunity to say thank you.
Please read the full ‘CEI Volunteer of the Year’ award criteria for more information on specific requirements.
Key Dates & Details:
Nominations Close: 30 June 2026
Judging: Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of CIWM/CEI Fellows in July.
Winners Announced: August 2026, with a formal presentation scheduled for our upcoming Fellows Lunch in September.
How to Nominate
It’s easy to nominate someone for the CEI Award – please complete the nomination form and return it to us by 30 June. Anyone within our global network can nominate as many individuals as they wish. For more information on the award criteria or if you have any questions, please contact the team at volunteers@ciwm.co.uk.