Abstract:

The transition of organizations toward circular economy principles requires targeted competence development and a systematic approach to strengthening employees’ knowledge and skills. At the same time, existing international research indicates that training needs are not uniform across countries or sectors. This study examines the circular economy-related training priorities of public- and private-sector organizations in five countries - Ukraine, Estonia, Lithuania, Austria, and Moldova - drawing on a mixed-methods dataset of 800 responses. The analysis focuses on 16 training topics whose importance was assessed using a five-point Likert scale, complemented by qualitative insights from open-ended responses to capture the contextual and substantive diversity of training needs. Empirical findings indicate that although all countries consider circular economy training generally important, the overall intensity of training demand varies considerably. Moldova demonstrated the highest learning readiness, rating nearly all topics as highly important, whereas the results from Ukraine point to an urgent need for basic awareness raising and concept-level instruction. Across all countries, clear priority areas emerged, including practical tools and best practices, resource efficiency, and the use of digital solutions and innovation. Sector-level differences also emerged: public-sector organizations valued a broader and more strategic competence base, including project management, regulatory frameworks, and change management, whereas the private sector prioritized applied and technological skills, such as product and service design, circular technologies, and resource optimization. The analysis highlights substantial country- and sector-specific differences in the structure of training needs, demonstrating that effective promotion of the circular economy requires differentiated, context-sensitive training programs. A one-size-fits-all training model is insufficient, as it overlooks variations in organizational maturity, political context, and sector-specific requirements. The results of this study provide a foundation for developing targeted competence development models and support the strategic implementation of circular economy principles across organizations in diverse national contexts.

Keywords:

Circular Economy, Training Needs, Competences, Sectoral Differences.