The Dutch Northern Innovation-lab Circular Economy (Noordelijk Innovatielab Circulaire Economie (N.I.C.E.)) is set up to accelerate the circular economy in the northern region of the Netherlands. Ruth Mourik is involved as strategic advisor to support N.I.C.E. to develop a transition strategy.

N.I.C.E. has the ambition to stimulate a ‘high-quality reuse’ circular economy for materials and energy. An economy in which biodiversity is preserved (natural capital) and human well-being (social capital) are core values. Creating values that go beyond financial gains.

N.I.C.E. has built a network of 18 organisations in education and research, entrepreneurial and government, that collaborate to develop potential business cases and share knowledge. Students from the University of Applied Sciences and secondary vocational schools are involved to be educated as young circular professionals and to work on societal case studies in the northern region. N.I.C.E. emphasizes that young people are at the core of the circular transition because they build the future.