Bringing Sustainable Mindset to Local Communities: The Market of Sustainability and Diversity in Freiberg
On Sunday, 20 September 2026, EURECA-PRO attended the Market of Sustainability and Diversity in Freiberg, organised by Freiberg Agenda 21. Despite rain and wind, numerous visitors attended the market.
The event brought together more than 30 local associations, organisations and farms committed to sustainability, with a focus on topics such as food, the environment, climate and development policy.
Our EURECA-PRO team in Freiberg invited visitors to explore sustainable consumption and the responsible use of resources in everyday life. Guests could follow the “Journey of Raw Materials” that showed which raw materials go into our daily lives, how much of them is needed, and what happens to them from extraction and processing to use and disposal. Attention was also drawn to the environmental impacts along the entire raw materials supply chain, linking everyday consumption to its wider consequences for the planet.
The message was clear: responsible resource use begins with awareness. By making the hidden side of everyday consumption visible, the team encouraged visitors to reflect on their own choices and to rethink how we use the resources available to us.
Using two further examples, Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg made the concept of future sustainable production very tangible for visitors:
– The Institute of Machine Elements, Engineering Design and Manufacturing showcased flower pots and lampshades which are produced using 3D printing from waste materials such as wood shavings or nut shells.
– At the booth of the Institute of Thermal Process Engineering, Environmental Process Engineering and Natural Product Process Engineering, visitors could test whether a simple hand-pressed hemp board made of hemp fibres could be suitable as a new type of building material.
The market also offered a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with other regional organisations and strengthen connections with local stakeholders.
What a great opportunity to engage with the local community and connect with initiatives working towards a more sustainable future.
