Netherlands Workshop

This workshop brought together female students, mentors, and a guest role model to explore sustainability and circular business models. The event was designed not only to build knowledge around circularity, but also to provide hands-on mentoring and visible examples of female leadership in green entrepreneurship.

Our guest role model, Heleentje from Circulair Friesland, shared her personal and professional journey into circular entrepreneurship. Her story was especially impactful for the female students, as she openly discussed the challenges and successes of working in a traditionally male-dominated space. Her presence demonstrated that women can lead and innovate in sustainability-driven industries.

Following her talk, students participated in a “circularity brainstorm,” where they applied circular thinking directly to their own business concepts. These activities were structured to promote peer learning, encourage mentee input, and support knowledge exchange between mentors and students.

To close the session, participants engaged in a feedback activity using the “feedback sandwich” technique—a mentoring method that balances positive reinforcement with constructive suggestions. While some students found this approach challenging, it opened up dialogue about giving and receiving feedback—an essential skill for both mentors and mentees.

Key mentoring and role modelling outcomes:

• Visible female leadership: Heleentje’s candid reflections and openness to continued engagement served as a living example of mentorship in action.
• Ongoing support: She offered to review student business plans and connect them with professionals in her network—extending the mentoring relationship beyond the session.
• Real-world application: Students left with practical insights they could immediately apply to their entrepreneurial projects.
• Feedback culture: Mentees practiced structured peer feedback, helping build confidence and reflection skills.

Reflections and recommendations:

• Students valued the presence of a relatable female expert and expressed interest in more direct mentorship during the session.
• Future workshops could benefit from additional interactive mentoring elements and clearer links to students’ own projects.
• Facilitators noted the importance of managing distractions and supporting students in connecting sustainability topics with their lived experience.

This workshop exemplified how mentoring and role modelling can empower young women to see themselves as future leaders in circular innovation.