A professional event titled “Recycling of Composite Materials – Challenges in Cross-Border Waste Transport and Their Solutions” took place in Nova Gorica. It was jointly organized by ZGIGM GZS and the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia, together with the Jožef Stefan Institute and project partner SDGZ within the framework of the Recreate and Greet CE projects. The goal of the event was to connect European projects and key public and private stakeholders from Slovenia and Italy working in the field of circular waste management.
Presentations of project partners’ activities and exchange of opinions focused on exploring possibilities for improving material recycling practices.
The discussion highlighted the challenges of circular material use in the context of definitions of ‘waste,’ ‘reuse,’ oof materials and ‘second-hand products,’ as well as the recycling of composites, including the identification of legislative barriers. Participants addressed key challenges of circular material use, particularly practical obstacles in composite recycling and broader issues based on the practical experiences of project participants.
The GREET CE project activities were presented, focusing on the development of the construction material value chain based on waste within the Eco-Construction pilot project in the construction industry.
By exploring potential solutions for developing circular models within the national framework and possible forms of cross-border cooperation between Italy and Slovenia, the event opened space for the development of innovative ecosystems and new value chains within the waste cycle.
With the lecture “Mapping EU Companies from the CEE Region Excelling in Sustainable and Circular Practices in Construction,” we joined the workshop “Enhancing Circular and Sustainable Practices in Construction” on January 23, 2025. During the event, we presented the development phase of the pilot eco construction findings under the GREET CE project.
The well-attended workshop featured expert presentations on guidelines for green public procurement in construction, circular and low-carbon (waste and bio based) construction products, circular construction strategies, safe use of secondary construction materials, and the preparation of a construction materials cadastre, along with the new regulation on construction products.
The speakers also shared valuable experiences from their ongoing research and activities in the field, highlighting the environmental impact and potential risks and opportunities of reused, recycled, bio based and waste-based building materials, carbon footprint comparisons and the implementation of European policies ahead.
The workshop took place at the Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute (ZAG) in Ljubljana in person.
Event documents and more information:
Conference materials – Greet CE – 23. 1. 2025 (Slovenia)
Eco-construction crowdfunding opportunity for citizens: Terratico (Slovakia)
Technology and business innovations and supportive European legislation has made it possible for Croatian, Hungarian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovakian and Slovenian citizens to invest in ventures that combine positive environmental and social impact with profits.
The GREET CE project aims to foster bioeconomy solutions and promote crowdfunding. Therefore, it assists innovative European SMEs and citizens seeking crowdfunding deals. One of the fields it focuses on is eco-friendly construction. Eco-construction, a commitment geared to protecting our planet’s future, refers to an approach that aims to minimise the environmental impact of construction and the built infrastructure including buildings.
Terratico, a Slovakian venture offers an investment opportunity currently available to all European Union citizens. It is in collaboration with Crowdberry, a leading Slovakian crowdfunding investment digital platform that has a history of backing high-growth innovative Czech and Slovakian SMEs. They have successfully cooperated in a prior investment round too.
Citizens are offered the opportunitytoinvest alongside a private equity fund and gain a stake in the company. Online investment can be made. The minimum investment amount is EUR 3,000.
Terratico, a Slovak firm established by the Nagy family, has a patented solution in the field of sustainable building materials. Lightweight eco-concrete with up to 45% plastic waste in the mix is an innovative solution with unique properties that can help reduce emissions, save costs and use materials more efficiently.
Improved flexibility – allows for different colours and
Lower water absorption – protects from frost damage and prolongs service
Terratico products are an eco-friendly alternative for all types of paving, tiles, facades, planters and other outdoor or indoor furniture. In addition, the products are also certified for safe contact with food and drinking water, so they can also be actively used in catering or establishments with a higher requirement for cleanliness.
This is not an investment offer. Anybody should make their own due diligence before making any investments.
Technology and business innovations and supportive European legislation has made it possible for Croatian, Hungarian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovakian and Slovenian citizens to invest in ventures that combine positive environmental and social impact with profits.
The GREET CE project aims to foster bioeconomy solutions and promote crowdfunding. Therefore, it assists innovative European SMEs and citizens seeking crowdfunding deals. One of the fields it focuses on is sustainable energy.
Solar photovoltaic, a strong growth area is a popular crowdlending field, with a number of projects looking for credit. This is enabled by the risk profile of these projects that rely on standardised technologies and have relatively predictable cash-flows.
Crowdfunding allows citizens to contribute small amounts of money to fund larger projects – such as solar installations. In one of the common crowdfunding model lenders receive interest on their loans. People invest small amounts, which are pooled together to fund the project. An advantage is that it removes financial barriers to investing in renewable energy. Anyone can participate in a solar project, with a small the investment. Typical individual solar projects have been too small to qualify for project financing at a bank, yet it too large for a project owner to finance on their own.
Like any investment, crowdfunding solar panels carries risks. It’s important to research each project and the regulatory environment carefully before investing.
Current blue economy (marine) impact investment opportunity – Oceano Fresco (Portugal)
Technology and business innovations and supportive European legislation has made it possible for Croatian, Hungarian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovakian and Slovenian citizens to invest in ventures that combine positive environmental and social impact with profits.
The GREET CE project aims to foster bioeconomy solutions and promote crowdfunding. Therefore, it assists innovative European SMEs and citizens seeking crowdfunding deals. It also ambitions building closer ties between Portugal and Central European countries.
Oceano Fresco, a Portuguese venture offers an investment opportunity currently available to all European Union citizens. It is in collaboration with GoParity, a leading, award-winning European impact investment digital platform. They have been successfully cooperating for five years.
Citizens are offered the opportunity to participate in the provision of a 4-year EUR 450,000 loan to Oceano Fresco. The annual interest rate is 7.1%. Online investment can be made. The minimum investment amount is EUR 5.
Oceano Fresco has so far raised EUR 3,710,000 directly from citizens in 18 successful crowdfinancing rounds. Over the last few years, the Company’s unique value proposition has led to it being awarded approximately EUR 7.5 million in seed-stage equity investments and EUR 4.2 million in competitive grants. In July 2024, the Company announced an EUR 17 million Series B funding round. Oceano Fresco has a history of crowdlending with Goparity and its investors who have accompanied the company’s development through the various phases and years, enabling the pioneering mission of creating a sustainable, large-scale shellfish farming company.
Oceano Fresco, established in 2015 is a pioneering company in the sustainable, large-scale farming of bivalves. It aims to become a game-changer in the EUR 20 billion shellfish market. This deal will assist the Company to continue on its path to become a leader in regenerative bivalve aquaculture.
Beyond Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia have introduced EUR instead of their former national currency. The 10-year government bond yield of Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia was 3,05%, 3.4% and 3.2% on January 10, 2025, respectively.
This is not an investment offer. Anybody should make their own due diligence before making any investments.
