Sdewes Centre

01/10/2026

🌾 Agro Business Forum Lovas 2026: Three Panel Discussions, One Shared Question

How can we finance agricultural production, adapt to increasingly challenging climate conditions and secure a market for what we produce?

These were the key questions explored through three panel discussions at the first Agro Business Forum Lovas 2026, bringing together representatives of public institutions, science, agricultural companies and family farms.

💶 New Agricultural Policy
Nikola Dolački, Željka Gudelj-Velaga and Romeo Jukić discussed financing, support measures and the rules shaping agricultural production.

🌱 What Will We Plant Tomorrow?
Hrvoje Hefer, Prof. Dr. Ivica Kisić and Igor Andrašević focused on soil, climate change and adapting agricultural production to new conditions.

🤝 From Field to Market
Darijo Sajko, Relja Kovačić and Nives Skokić explored cooperation between family farms and larger agricultural systems, and more reliable routes to market.

Three panels, nine speakers and one central question: How can we build an agriculture that makes economic sense? 🌾

The Agro Business Forum was organised by the Općina Lovas and the SDEWES Centre within the Biostars project.

30/09/2026

Biostars project Youth innovators call

🌱 Do you have an idea that could help transform a rural community?

There is still time to take part in the BIOSTARS Youth Innovators Call! 🚀

We are looking for young people aged 35 or under with innovative ideas, prototypes or early-stage projects related to areas such as bioeconomy, sustainability, circular economy, renewable energy, sustainable food systems, digital innovation or social entrepreneurship.

Six young innovators — one from each BIOSTARS territory — will receive training, mentoring, mini-incubation support, guidance on European funding opportunities and greater international visibility. 🌍

They will also join the BIOSTARS Youth Platform and have the opportunity to present their projects at the BIOSTARS Final Conference in Sarajevo in March 2027.

📅 Deadline: 31 October 2026
👉 Find out more and apply here: https://biostars.interreg-euro-med.eu/2026/08/31/biostars-youth-innovators-call/

Interreg Euro-MED Programme
Interreg Europe

29/09/2026

🌾 Agro Business Forum Lovas 2026: Agriculture That Makes Economic Sense!

On 25 September 2026, the Municipality of Lovas (Općina Lovas) and the Biostars project, implemented in Croatia by the SDEWES Centre, jointly organised the first Agro Business Forum in Lovas. The Forum brought together farmers, young entrepreneurs, municipalities, businesses, researchers and public institutions to exchange ideas on agriculture and new opportunities for rural communities.

Three panels explored the challenges from different perspectives:

💶 New Agricultural Policy – support, financing and opportunities for farmers
🌱 What Will We Plant Tomorrow? – adapting production to soil and changing climate conditions
🤝 From Field to Market – connecting family farms with businesses and finding reliable routes to market

Three panels, nine speakers and one shared question: How can we build an agriculture that makes economic sense?

Alongside the panels, we discussed the BIOSTARS Toolbox with municipalities, farmers and entrepreneurs, exploring how its practical resources could support circular bioeconomy ideas in rural communities. We also introduced young farmers and entrepreneurs to the BIOSTARS Youth Innovators Call.

💡 And there is more to come for young innovators! The call is now open, offering an opportunity to develop ideas for more sustainable rural areas. 🚀

👉 Find out more:
https://biostars.interreg-euro-med.eu/2026/08/31/biostars-youth-innovators-call/
🧰 Explore the BIOSTARS Toolbox: https://biostarstoolbox.eu/

18/09/2026

🌾 PROGRAM - AGRO BUSINESS FORUM LOVAS 2026

Objavljujemo program prvog Agro Business Foruma Lovas 2026. – „Poljoprivreda koja ima računicu“, koji će 25. rujna u Domu kulture u Lovasu okupiti predstavnike ključnih državnih institucija, struke, znanosti, velikih gospodarskih sustava i same poljoprivrednike.

Kroz tri panela razgovarat ćemo o pitanjima koja izravno određuju budućnost hrvatske poljoprivrede – financiranju, prilagodbi proizvodnje tlu i klimatskim uvjetima te povezivanju OPG-ova s velikim sustavima i tržištem.

💶 NOVA POLJOPRIVREDNA POLITIKA
Nikola Dolački • Željka Gudelj-Velaga • Romeo Jukić

🌱 ŠTO ĆEMO SADITI SUTRA?
Hrvoje Hefer • prof. dr. sc. Ivica Kisić • Igor Andrašević

🤝 OD NJIVE DO TRŽIŠTA
Darijo Sajko • Relja Kovačić • Nives Skokić

Forum se održava pod visokim pokroviteljstvom potpredsjednika Vlade Republike Hrvatske i ministra poljoprivrede, šumarstva i ribarstva Davida Vlajčića, u sklopu 29. Miholjskih dana Općine Lovas.

📅 Petak, 25. rujna 2026.
📍 Dom kulture Lovas
⏰ Registracija od 9:30 | početak u 10:00 sati

Tri panela. Devet panelista. Jedno zajedničko pitanje – kako graditi poljoprivredu koja ima računicu?

Vidimo se u Lovasu! 🌾

11/09/2026

More than a conference — a meeting of minds, ideas and possibilities. 🌍💡

The 21st SDEWES Conference in Gran Canaria brought together a vibrant international community of researchers, experts and innovators, all sharing one common goal: turning knowledge into meaningful solutions for a more sustainable future. 🤝🌱

From inspiring discussions and new collaborations to fresh perspectives on energy, water and environmental challenges, Gran Canaria was the place where ideas came together — and new ones began. ♻️✨

Thank you to everyone who made this SDEWES gathering so inspiring. Until the next one! 🌎

10/07/2026

Collaboration in action, sustainability in focus 🌍🤝

The 6th SEE SDEWES Conference in Burgas brought together researchers, professionals, and innovators dedicated to shaping a more sustainable future through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and interdisciplinary solutions. 💡♻️

Together, we continue to strengthen a global community committed to advancing sustainable development across energy, water, transport, food, and environmental systems. 🌱

05/05/2026

💡We are proud to mark the conclusion of the ReRURAL – Renew Rural Areas project with our Final Conference, held on 22 April 2026 in Zagreb. The conference brought together experts, practitioners, and local stakeholders to discuss one of the most pressing challenges: energy poverty in rural communities. 🏡

🔍Key topics discussed at the conference included:
🔹The specific challenges of rural areas and solutions tailored to local contexts
🔹Understanding energy poverty as a systemic issue beyond just energy bills
🔹The role of energy communities as a practical tool for the local energy transition
🔹The significant role of Local Action Groups (LAGs) in delivering energy transition in rural areas
🔹The importance of awareness, education, and local engagement in tackling energy poverty
🔹Insights from project case studies in Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo

🙏Special thanks to all project partners, presenters, and everyone who joined us in Zagreb for this important discussion.

Balkan Green Foundation LIR EVOLUTION Grad Đurđevac Regional Development Agency Green Karst, Ltd. European Climate Initiative (EUKI)

30/04/2026

🌿 Curious about the future of 100% renewable energy?

Join our Summer School and dive into hands-on learning with experts in the field. You’ll get the chance to:
💡 build and explore smart energy system models
🛠️ work with advanced energy planning tools
📊 improve your data analysis and scenario assessment skills
🌍 understand the environmental, economic, and social impacts of energy systems

📅 July 3–7, 2026
📍 Dubrovnik, Croatia

Spots are open until May 30 — don’t miss out!

It’s a great opportunity to gain practical knowledge, exchange ideas, and connect with people passionate about sustainability 🌱

27/04/2026

🔬 Did you know?

More than 20 members of the SDEWES International Scientific Committee are ranked among the top 2% of the world’s most influential scientists! 🌍

This highlights the strong scientific foundation behind SDEWES and its global impact on sustainable development research.

👏 Proud to collaborate with leading experts shaping a better future.

24/04/2026

🌍⚡💧 Connecting systems for a sustainable future
At the upcoming 6th SEE SDEWES Conference Burgas 2026 in June, our invited lecture by Dr. Stella Tsani (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece) brings a fresh perspective on governing sustainability transitions.

Her lecture, “Governing sustainability transitions: Systems interactions across the water-energy-food nexus, resource governance, and climate policy”, focuses on how stronger connections between sectors can unlock better climate and development outcomes — balancing environmental limits, economic priorities, and societal needs in an increasingly complex world.

📍 Burgas | 28 June – 1 July 2026
🔗 https://www.burgas2026.sdewes.org/invited-lectures