Objective of the Tool
The Circular Ecosystem Governance Canvas helps organizations design the governance structure of a circular ecosystem by clarifying roles, responsibilities, coordination mechanisms, and incentives among ecosystem actors.
The tool supports the transition from individual circular initiatives or pilots to coordinated ecosystem collaboration, ensuring that actors involved in circular value chains can work together effectively while maintaining aligned incentives and accountability.
What the Tool Is
The Circular Ecosystem Governance Canvas is a strategic coordination tool that helps ecosystem partners define how collaboration is organized and governed.
It provides a structured way to map:
the key actors involved in the circular ecosystem
their roles and responsibilities
the mechanisms used to coordinate activities
the incentives that motivate participation
the rules and governance arrangements that enable long-term collaboration and scaling
The canvas supports discussions among companies and stakeholders to make governance arrangements explicit and actionable.
When to Use the Tool
The tool is particularly useful when organizations are:
developing multi-actor circular business models
designing take-back, repair, refurbishment, or reuse systems
coordinating reverse logistics networks
building digital infrastructure such as Digital Product Passports
moving from pilot projects to ecosystem-level implementation
expanding or scaling a circular collaboration network
It is typically used after ecosystem actors and value flows have been mapped (e.g., using tools such as the Circular Ecosystem Wheel or Reverse Logistics Canvas).
How to Use the Tool
The canvas is typically completed through a facilitated workshop involving key ecosystem actors.
Step 1 – Define the ecosystem purpose
Clarify the shared objective of the collaboration and the circular outcomes targeted.
Step 2 – Identify ecosystem actors
List the organizations involved in the ecosystem and their role in the value chain.
Step 3 – Define roles and responsibilities
Clarify which actors perform which activities across the product lifecycle.
Step 4 – Design coordination mechanisms
Identify how ecosystem activities are coordinated and who plays an orchestration role.
Step 5 – Define decision-making processes
Clarify how strategic and operational decisions are taken.
Step 6 – Align incentives and value distribution
Discuss how value, costs, and risks are shared among actors.
Step 7 – Define governance rules and infrastructure
Identify standards, agreements, data governance mechanisms, and shared infrastructure.
Step 8 – Discuss scaling mechanisms
Explore how the ecosystem could grow or replicate in other contexts.
