The AGRA Fair 2024, (held from 24 to 29 August in Gornja Radgona, Slovenia), marked the 62nd edition of this prestigious International Fair of Agriculture and Food. As a central platform for innovation, policy dialogue, and business networking, AGRA brought together a wide array of stakeholders from across Europe and beyond — including farmers, agri-food companies, researchers, policymakers, and sustainability experts. This year’s fair continued its strong focus on green technologies, sustainable food systems, and the digital transformation of agriculture, reflecting a shared commitment to tackling climate change and ensuring long-term food security.

In 2022, the Podravje region was selected as one of 12 pilot regions under the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI). Led by the Regional Development Agency for Podravje – Maribor (RDAPM) as the CCRI pilot coordinator, and supported by the E-Institute, the region developed its first Regional Strategy for the Transition to a Circular Bioeconomy in 2023. The strategy outlines a forward-looking vision, and an action plan based on the implementation of 10 Circular Systemic Solutions (CSSs) aimed at fostering sustainable regional development.

The Circsyst project, presented under the CSS no. 2 – “Circular Greenhouse and Indoor farming”, focuses on three key value chains: Water Management, Biowaste, and Plastics and Packaging. In the Podravje region, three project partners – RDAPM, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia and Komunalno Podjetje Ptuj from Slovenia will explore the reuse of treated urban wastewater for agricultural applications, such as irrigation, indoor farming, and utilities. The pilot will develop and test processes to clean municipal wastewater, making it suitable for reuse in agriculture, including livestock drinking water and washing. This innovative solution aims to close the water loop by creating a sustainable system for the agricultural industry.

In addition to Circsyst, another key solution discussed was “Processing and Circular Use of Communal and Industrial Biowaste”, which focuses on transforming organic waste into bio-fertilizers, further supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

The consultation workshop, held on 28 August 2024, brought together 22 experts representing 13 key stakeholder organizations. Participants engaged in a productive exchange on the current state of the circular bioeconomy transition in Podravje. Discussions focused on regional challenges and opportunities such as enhancing local self-sufficiency, improving resource efficiency, and boosting the quality and productivity of agricultural land.

The overall response from stakeholders was extremely positive, with several synergies already emerging between Circsyst and other regional and national initiatives. The event not only validated the strategic direction of Podravje’s circular transition but also strengthened partnerships essential for successful CSS implementation in the coming years.