On Friday, 11 October 2024, the Faculty of Economics at the University of Niš hosted the CROSS-REIS Info Day, an event dedicated to fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and the public sector to support the transition toward a regenerative economy. This gathering brought together representatives from diverse sectors to explore project goals and discuss ways to enhance sustainable development.
The event began with opening remarks from Professor Vladislav Marjanović, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, University of Niš, who emphasised the importance of international initiatives like CROSS-REIS for strengthening local communities. Following this, Professor Marija Džunić presented the project's goals, stressing the value of inter-European cooperation in achieving sustainable solutions.
A central feature of the day was the panel discussion, Collaborative Pathways Towards a Regenerative Economy in Serbia: Bridging Academia, Industry, and Policy for Regional Growth, moderated by FEUN’s professor Sonja Jovanović. Panellists shared insights on aligning innovation, business practices, and public policies to drive forward circular economy initiatives and projects. Goran Zlatković from the Regional Development Agency Jug explained the circular economy model, emphasising its approach to extending product life and regenerating resources. He highlighted the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopting sustainable practices to improve competitiveness. Milivoje Jovanović, manager and co-founder of ENECA, underlined the need for SMEs to adopt sustainable practices, including waste management and resource efficiency. He also discussed the importance of policy support to create a favourable environment for green economic growth. Dejan Vacić, representing the City of Niš, spoke on the role of the local government in supporting regenerative economy projects. Professor Miloš Simonović of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Niš, introduced the results of his project, "Agar," a robot for precision agriculture, demonstrating how technology enhances productivity and sustainability in agriculture. Milena Mihajlović from RESOR Niš emphasised the need for partnerships between industry, academia, and vocational schools to address workforce challenges and encourage innovative production. She also highlighted regulatory hurdles in implementing solar energy initiatives.
Following the panel, Professor Jelena Stanković, the CROSS-REIS Project Coordinator, delivered closing remarks. She emphasised that CROSS-REIS is designed to go beyond academic study, aiming to deliver practical results that directly impact local communities and support the green transition across the region. In her address, Professor Stanković announced the next major event for CROSS-REIS: the Business Forum, "Sustainability 2.0: Exploring the Future of Regenerative Business," scheduled for November 22, 2024, at the Science and Technology Park in Niš. This forum will focus on actionable steps and strategies for embedding sustainability in business practices, with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. Professor Stanković expressed her hope that this forum would further deepen cooperation between academia and industry, creating a robust platform for sharing knowledge, promoting innovative practices, and advancing the principles of regenerative economy.
CROSS-REIS Info Day emphasised the importance of collaboration across sectors to foster sustainable regional development. Project activities are expected to inspire continued innovation and support the joint efforts toward a more sustainable future for Niš and the broader region.