The conference “Digital and Circular Transformation of Manufacturing SMEs,” held as part of the SMART CIRCUIT project, proved to be a great success, bringing together 65 participants, including representatives of DIHs, policymakers, and SMEs. The event made a significant contribution to accelerating the green and digital transition of the European manufacturing sector.
Prior to the conference, participants visited the FALCO wood industry plant, which showcased practical examples of circular practices through the reuse of wood waste.
The SMART CIRCUIT initiative aims to empower SMEs, as well as local and regional authorities, by applying digital tools, circular economy strategies, and capacity-building measures. As project coordinator Agnieszka Włodarczyk-Gębik emphasized in her keynote presentation:
“Our goal is to transform manufacturing by strengthening DIHs as drivers of green and digital innovation.”
The panel sessions sparked discussions on key issues related to policies, technologies, and skills development.
In the afternoon, Arno Dalmatinac from the University of Zagreb – Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering in Varaždin conducted a masterclass on European and Croatian end-of-waste criteria, providing practical insights essential for scaling circular practices.
Participants also had the opportunity to hear highly relevant presentations on regional policies supporting digital and circular transition, as well as project presentations from CIRCI, CURIoST, CIRCULESS, and CE-PRINCE. These showcased how regional and transnational cooperation can accelerate the adoption of sustainable procurement models, circular product design, and eco-innovations across various sectors.
In conclusion, the SMART CIRCUIT conference did not just spark discussions about the future. By bringing together more than 60 experts in Szombathely and online, this event established the SMART CIRCUIT platform as a key step toward the circular and digital transformation of SMEs in Central Europe.
