The challenge
Kiel adopted a zero waste strategy in 2020, and several municipal actions had already been implemented. At the same time, the amount of waste produced per person continued to rise.
The local challenge had a practical layer. Many residents lacked repair, reuse and upcycling skills. The city and its partners wanted a format that could make circular living creative, enjoyable and easy to approach.
The format
The Repair and Upcycling Festival brought hands-on learning into a public cultural setting. More than 30 workshops covered repair, reuse and material experimentation, including work with seagrass, wool, electronic waste and old bed sheets.
The festival also included talks on zero waste, sustainable everyday life and environmental protection. A creative market showcased handmade upcycled products, regional food and local producers. Heinrich Boell Foundation Schleswig-Holstein organised the case in cooperation with Anschar GmbH and Zero Waste Kiel.
What happened
The festival attracted over 750 participants. Visitors learned new repair and recycling skills, explored upcycling through workshops and DIY areas, and met local initiatives working on circular economy.
The event also created a place for exchange between citizens, local actors, creative professionals, craftspeople and initiatives. The source material highlights the atmosphere, the diversity of activities and the strong local ecosystem at Anscharcampus as central strengths.
What other cities can reuse
A festival can turn circular economy into a public invitation. Repair stations, creative workshops, talks, food, music and a market created different entry points for families, students, makers, creatives and residents already interested in sustainability.
The source material also points to future improvements: stronger documentation, continuity after the festival through recurring repair cafes or meetups, and broader outreach to reach a more diverse audience.
Budget and model
The project was funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme at 80 percent and co-funded by the City of Kiel at 20 percent.
For future editions, the source material points to long-term funding and private sponsorship as possible routes for continuity.
Bring a repair and upcycling festival to your community
The Kiel format shows how a city can combine repair skills, culture and community energy in one public moment.
