22-24. April 2024
The Kick off Conference of the Project, with a title “Circular Economy is a New Industrial Revolution” was organized in Knjazevac in Culture Center.
The conference was opened by introductory speeches by Vladan Jeremic director of RARIS, lead partner on the Project and Milan Đokić, Mayor of Municipality of Knjazevac.
After the overall presentation of the project and partners in the project, Dušan Vasiljević, international expert for strategic planning in the field of environment, ecological, economic and energy security, renewable energy sources and sustainable development was speaking about the place of circular economy in modern society, with a practical examples that are easy to implement in rural communities.
The Conference focused on harnessing the circular economy (CE) for greener rural communities and a more sustainable Europe. Discussions explored challenges, achievements, and future prospects in four key areas:
1. European Values and Green Environment
2. Circular Economy as a New Approach
3. Rural Areas and Circular Economy
4. Circular Economy and European Ecological Values
By engaging in CE practices, rural communities can contribute significantly to a greener future for Serbia and Europe, aligning with core European values of sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Good practice examples were presented by stakeholders and partners in the project.
During the Conference, as a side event, the “Coffee With Journalists” was organized in order to disseminate information on Project and the Conference to the media, where several interviews and reports were recorded and published latter. One representative of the lead partner also had and interview on local FKMS Radio. During the Conference, exhibition of partners’ posters with a good examples on circular economy was organized in main hole of the Culture Center.
The Conference has gathered 48 participants from 5 countries (Serbia, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia).
On third day of the Conference, the study visits for the participants were organized to:
– Association “IZVOR” –production of traditional crafts products, preservation of heritage and reuse of materials
– “DEMETRA” Company – production of natural and healthy food and best experiences in circular economy
As a result of the Conference, the inputs for policy paper with recommendations for a circular future was gathered. These recommendations should support a faster transition towards a greener rural economy in Serbia, based on the principles of circular economy. The policy paper will be produced for local event.
