The CROSS-REIS project team participated in the 8th Multidisciplinary Symposium on Circular Economy and Urban Mining (SUM 2025), held from May 21–23 on the island of Procida, Italy. Recognized as Italy’s Capital of Culture in 2022, Procida offered a symbolic and inspiring setting for this high-level scientific gathering dedicated to advancing the circular economy paradigm.

SUM 2025 brought together experts from a wide range of disciplines—including economics, engineering, law, geosciences, sociology, and material science—to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and deepen the scientific foundation of circular economy policies and practices. With over 120 selected presentations delivered across three parallel tracks, the symposium offered an invaluable opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, share insights, and build future partnerships.

As part of the scientific program, Prof. Jelena J. Stanković, Ivana Marjanović, and Marina Stanojević, representing the Faculty of Economics, University of Niš, presented their research titled: “Assessing Circular Economy Performance in the European Union: A Benefit of Doubt Approach”. This study applied a quantitative method to evaluate how EU countries perform in implementing circular economy principles, with a focus on identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement. The presentation contributed to broader discussions on measuring circularity, aligning national strategies with EU goals, and promoting evidence-based policy making.

The team’s participation underscored CROSS-REIS's commitment to fostering excellence in regenerative economy research and promoting data-driven innovation in sustainability policy. Engaging with a global community of researchers and practitioners at SUM 2025 further supports the project’s aim to bridge knowledge gaps and stimulate collaboration between widening and leading institutions.

Agenda