In January 2022, Miller Research were commissioned by Swansea University to deliver an independent evaluation of the Circular Economy Innovation Communities (CEIC) programme.
CEIC is a Welsh Government and ESF-funded initiative delivered collaboratively by Swansea University and Cardiff Metropolitan University. The programme supports the development of regional Communities of Practice (CoPs) in the Swansea Bay and Cardiff Capital City Regions. These CoPs bring together public and third sector organisations to co-create new service solutions that embed circular economy thinking and foster innovation across Wales’ public services.
The evaluation was designed to explore the CEIC programme’s effectiveness in enhancing innovation knowledge and capabilities within participating organisations, supporting collaborative regional working, and embedding circular economy principles in public service delivery. Through its dual focus—formative and summative—Miller Research’s evaluation helped the CEIC team adapt their delivery mid-programme while also capturing the initiative’s long-term legacy and outcomes.
A mixed-methods approach underpinned the evaluation. The formative phase included desk research, stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and in-depth interviews with programme participants. These findings informed a set of operational and strategic recommendations to strengthen programme design, marketing, and post-cohort support. In the summative phase, Miller Research gathered further insights via a second round of interviews and focus groups, alongside an impact survey and counterfactual assessment. The evaluation team also produced a series of written and audio-visual case studies, showcasing how CEIC participants applied circular economy tools to develop practical solutions, such as carbon literacy training, sustainable social housing materials, and community food-growing initiatives.
The evaluation concluded that CEIC has made a significant contribution to Wales’ circular economy and regional innovation agendas. Participants reported greater confidence in applying CE principles, stronger networks for collaboration, and measurable impacts within their organisations. While challenges around staff retention and regional alignment were noted, CEIC’s learner-centred, design-thinking-based model proved highly effective in building capacity and embedding innovation in public services.
As the programme concludes, the evaluation has provided a rich evidence base and actionable insights for the CEIC team and funders. These findings will support ongoing efforts to scale and sustain the CoPs established through the programme and inform future interventions aiming to drive public service reform through circular economy thinking
The summative report is available here: https://ceicwales.org.uk/summative-evaluation/