A Hub Where Reuse, Creativity, and Learning Meet

Re — short for Re Innovasjon — is an innovative resource and competence centre based in Bodø, Norway, dedicated to the environment, reuse, and creativity. Its tagline captures its spirit well: “Re connects people and recycling.” Operating at the intersection of sustainability education, circular economy practice, and community engagement, Re has become a reference point for anyone in the region seeking to learn, create, or innovate with a commitment to reducing waste and promoting responsible consumption.

Beyond its local activities, Re has been involved in an international project — Ecology Squared — that brought together partners to develop teaching modules focused on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and attitude change for upper secondary and university students. Three modules were developed for the Czech Republic and one for university level, with Re adapting the methodology to Norwegian educational conditions and requirements in parallel. This cross-border collaboration is a testament to the transferability of Re’s approach.

Reuse as an Educational Practice

At its core, Re is built around the conviction that reuse is not just an environmental strategy but a form of learning — about materials, value, creativity, and the hidden possibilities in what others have discarded. By creating spaces where people can encounter reused and refurbished objects, learn the skills to repair and transform things, and engage with a community of practitioners, Re demonstrates that sustainability education does not need to be delivered in a classroom.

Relevance for Sustainable Learning

Re is a strong example of how a community-based resource centre can function as an informal learning environment for sustainability. It connects naturally to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), and its involvement in international curriculum development work shows how local practice can generate transferable knowledge.

Website: re-innovasjon.no