20th Freiberg Colloquium of Young Researchers:
Shape the future of sustainability
- News
From 8 to 12 June 2026, TU Bergakademie Freiberg became a vibrant hub for sustainable innovation as it welcomed eleven doctoral candidates from across the EURECA-PRO alliance. Participants represented TU Bergakademie Freiberg (Germany), Hasselt University (Belgium), the Silesian University of Technology (Poland), the University of Petroșani (Romania), and the University of Lorraine (France).
Over five intensive days, the EURECA-PRO 20th Young Researchers Colloquium provided early-career researchers with new skills, fresh perspectives, and an expanded European network, all within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
The colloquium began with two international scientific events hosted by TUBAF: the Forum on Sustainable Value Creation: Circular Economy and Logistics and the Freiberg Forum on Bio-based Materials. These forums offered participants valuable insights into current research activities and created opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange with researchers from different countries and scientific backgrounds.
An intercultural communication workshop held on the following day enabled participants to strengthen their ability to collaborate across linguistic and cultural boundaries – an essential competence for international research cooperation. A language lunch complemented the workshop by providing a practical and interactive environment for intercultural exchange.
Introductory sessions on the EURECA-PRO alliance highlighted the alliance’s educational and research activities. EURECA-PRO team presented ongoing joint degree programmes, research structures, and the alliance’s strategic vision for integrating sustainability into teaching, research, and innovation.
A guest lecture by Prof. Tomasz Szulc (SUT) on Closed-Loop Business Models provided participants with valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with the transition towards a circular economy in Europe.
Building a strong research community
The intensive programme not only deepened participants’ academic knowledge and intercultural understanding, but also strengthened personal connections within the EURECA-PRO alliance.
By bringing together young researchers from across Europe, the 20th Young Researchers Colloquium further reinforced the alliance’s commitment to excellent, innovative, and sustainable research and contributed to building the next generation of scientists dedicated to addressing global challenges.
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www.tu-freiberg.de/en/news/20th-freiberg-colloquium-young-researchers-shape-future-sustainability
