Circular Rainbow Lab: joint hybrid conference for trout farmers

On Thursday, 12 March 2026 at 10:00, the event “Circular Rainbow Lab – joint conference for cross-border trout farmers” will take place at AREA Science Park in Trieste, organised within the framework of the Interreg Italy–Slovenia Circular Rainbow project.
The conference will bring together researchers, sector experts and representatives of partner organisations to present the methodologies developed to assess environmental and economic sustainability, discuss the results of the sustainability analysis, and explore the potential of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) applied to trout farming. The event represents the final stage of the collaborative laboratory process carried out with companies and stakeholders in the sector.

In preparation for the Circular Rainbow Lab hybrid conference, several preliminary activities were carried out to ensure the direct involvement of fish farmers. After completing the analysis of aquaculture production systems in the cross-border area — with particular attention to the sector’s challenges and opportunities — an economic model and feasibility plan for converting production facilities to digital RAS systems was developed. Subsequently, a survey was conducted among Italian and Slovenian trout farmers in the Programme area to assess their interest and willingness to shift from traditional flow-through farming systems to recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), either fully or partially digitalised. Based on the survey results, six representative companies (three Italian and three Slovenian) were selected and involved in the Circular Rainbow Lab through individual consultations and group meetings. During two dedicated workshops held in Italy on 13 February 2026 and in Slovenia on 25 February 2026, companies, experts and institutional representatives discussed opportunities, management challenges and investment needs related to the transition towards more sustainable production models.

The dialogue with operators and institutional stakeholders contributed to improving and validating the model developed within the project, the results of which will now be presented and shared with the public during the final Circular Rainbow Lab conference dedicated to the sector.

The event will take place at AREA Science Park – Conference Hall, Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste (Italy).The conference will be held in hybrid format, with Italian–Slovenian simultaneous interpretation provided. A networking lunch will follow the event. Agenda with the link attached: