The “Rural Green” project, at the World Cafe event, titled “Circular Economy in Manufacturing Industry,” brought together partners from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Serbia in Nova Gradiška, Croatia, from February 26 to 28, 2025.

The event was hosted by the Center of Competence for Advanced Engineering – CEKOM, where numerous experts and representatives of partner organizations discussed ways to improve sustainable development in rural areas through the implementation of circular economy principles in the manufacturing industry.

In his opening speech, Vladan Jeremić, Director of RARIS, emphasized the importance of this project for rural communities and their long-term development. The World Cafe began with a presentation of the project’s goals and activities, followed by a panel discussion.
Panelists presented various approaches and strategies that enable a sustainable transition in rural areas, with a particular focus on engaging local communities and their role in shaping policies and implementing sustainable innovations in production.

After presentations by the project partners, participants had the opportunity to learn from practical examples from all five participating countries.

The event concluded with a discussion, which, through an exchange of experiences and ideas, laid the foundation for future projects that will further enhance the implementation of the circular economy in rural areas.