Over 70 participants, including professionals, businesses, stakeholders, project partners, organisations and operators from the construction sector in Italy and Slovenia, attended the final event of the Circular.Buildings project in Gorizia on 9 April, confirming the strong interest in innovation, digitalisation and the circular economy as applied to the construction sector.
The initiative, hosted at the Grand Hotel Entourage – Palazzo Strassoldo, represented much more than just the project’s closing event: it was a concrete opportunity for cross-border dialogue, networking and the forging of new partnerships between the two regions, in which both Italian and Slovenian operators actively participated.
This is a particularly significant achievement given that one of the central objectives of Circular.Buildings is precisely to strengthen dialogue and collaboration between stakeholders in the construction sector of the two countries, overcoming fragmentation and fostering the creation of a shared ecosystem for innovation.
A morning dedicated to innovation, best practice and practical opportunities
The day began with participant registration and an initial networking session, followed by opening remarks from ECIPA, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the Interreg Italy-Slovenia Programme and CNA Friuli Venezia Giulia.
The event focused on an overview of the key opportunities offered by the circular construction sector and the innovations capable of supporting businesses and professionals through this transition.
The presentations explored:
• the digital platform for cross-border circular construction developed by the project, designed to offer practical tools, networking opportunities and support for innovation;
• best practices in circular construction analysed by the University of Udine, aimed at promoting greater sustainability throughout the entire life cycle of buildings;
• the role of artificial intelligence in the construction sector, with examples of applications and reflections on opportunities for implementation in the local and cross-border context.
Ample attention was also given to the public funding available to Italian and Slovenian businesses and professionals, offering a concrete overview of opportunities for support for development and innovation in the sector.
Pilot projects and the value of business relationships
The final part of the morning featured a presentation of several pilot initiatives developed as part of the project, with concrete examples of how the solutions promoted by Circular.Buildings are being applied.
This was followed by a networking lunch, which facilitated direct meetings between Italian and Slovenian businesses, professionals, organisations and stakeholders, transforming the event into a real-life space for building new partnerships.
This moment fully embodied one of the project’s objectives: to guide businesses and professionals towards a greater awareness of being part of a cross-border construction system, one that is set to continue beyond the conclusion of the project activities.
A journey that continues beyond the final event
Circular.Buildings was established to support the transition towards a more circular, sustainable and innovative construction sector, through training, digital tools, practical resources, networking and opportunities for collaborative experimentation between Italy and Slovenia.
The high turnout in Gorizia confirms just how central this issue is today to the future of the construction sector, and how strong the desire is among businesses and professionals to exchange ideas, innovate and build new shared opportunities.
For further information and to take part in the activities, please email: circular.buildings@ecipa.eu.
