DOM DARE “Next Level” – Thinkathon #2 on Circular Solutions in Valmiera

As part of Vidzeme Innovation Week, DomDARE “Next Level” – Thinkathon #2 took place in Valmiera, bringing together DARE clients, cooperation partners, service providers and other stakeholders to jointly advance the development of the Valmiera Circularity Centre and the next steps of the Circ@Home project.

The event built upon the first Thinkathon and marked a transition from idea generation to practical piloting, strengthening the circularity triangle approach – city–household–services. This approach is based on the Urban Circularity Triangle concept, where the household is at the centre, supported by services and the municipality.

During Thinkathon #2, the development of DARE as the Valmiera Circularity HUB was highlighted – a place where circularity becomes practical, accessible and community-driven. The HUB combines:

• a physical space – the DARE makerspace equipped with tools and open access,
• a community platform – workshops, masterclasses and creative idea sessions,
• a cooperation network – the municipality, service providers, educational institutions and residents.

An essential part of the event was the involvement of service providers in educating households and transferring practical skills.

Textiles in the Circular Economy

Ulla Milbreta delivered a presentation titled “Wardrobe Secrets: The Story of Textiles?”, explaining the challenges of the textile industry, resource consumption and innovation trends, as well as practical aspects – how to read labels, distinguish between natural and synthetic fibres, and understand the environmental impact of microplastics.

Laura Arnicāne, in turn, shared a practical approach – the capsule wardrobe as a tool for resource efficiency, emphasising quality over quantity, combinability and conscious purchasing as an investment in oneself and in the environment.

Service providers not only informed participants but also practically trained households – how to make smarter decisions, how to extend the life cycle of clothing, and how to build a sustainable wardrobe.

DomDARE “Next Level” demonstrated that circularity in Valmiera is becoming a practical co-creation process rather than a theoretical discussion. Service providers train, households test solutions, the municipality coordinates, and the HUB connects all actors within one integrated system.

In this way, the project’s objective is being implemented – to develop a local circularity hub model and make circular solutions accessible in everyday life.