Solutions for citizen involvement in circular and sharing economy : article based thesis

Abstract

This article-based thesis provides and overall view around circular and sharing econ- omy-based services and businesses, in other words referred to in this thesis as good practices. The practices are demonstrated in four articles written by the thesis author and published on the LAB Open website. Promoting the Interreg Europe-funded and LAB University of Applied Sciences-led project CECI—Citizen Involvement in Circular Economy Implementation. The thesis highlights the CECI project as somewhat of a case study, as the author reports on citizens' involvement in the circular economy through CECI projects recognized and reported good practices. The first article dis- cusses the concept of sharing economy and sustainable beekeeping. The second arti- cle is dedicated to participatory budgeting in Lahti. Participatory budgeting involves citi- zens in the decision-making process and increases the well-being of society. While the third and fourth articles discuss an innovative hackathon with citizens and public and private sector representatives brainstorming new services and practices within the sharing and circular economy. The research methods that are used for this thesis are qualitative research, mostly in form of ethnography. Furthermore, the empirical study in this thesis consists of litera- ture review and the four articles that discuss ways of involving citizens to circular econ- omy practices. The key findings are that by citizen joining in the circular practices the impact is not only sustainable towards the citizens consumption habits but also creat- ing a sustainable society and increasing social well-being. In conclusion by introducing these practices, wicked social and environmental problems can be tackled, while pro- moting social and sustainable well-being.