The conference, which is seen as one of the main European platforms for circular economy experts, aims to help stakeholders in the EU transition to the circular economy, an economic concept whose centrepiece is better use of resources.

The conference will take place in Kostanjevica na Krki today and move to Maribor tomorrow. The programme is designed to facilitate interactive participation, networking and creating new partnerships, according to Ladeja Godina Košir, the head of the Circular Change platform.

"We're organising panels, interactive hubs, an exhibition of products, an open-air sculpture gallery and a fashion show. Everything will be very interactive because we want to bring the topic closer to everyone," she told the STA.

The first day of the conference will focus on the link between the circular economy and a bio-based economy, and on creative industries as opportunities for development of Slovenia and Europe.

In Maribor, participants will discuss how to create and implement manuals at the national level, including in smart cities and villages, and blockchain technologies, circular culture, circular cooperation and measuring circularity.

The conference will be held under the auspices of Prime Minister Miro Cerar in cooperation with MEP Franc Bogovič (EPP/SLS) and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Slovenia.

It will be an opportunity for the government-sponsored initiative termed the Partnership for Slovenia's Green Economy to present "a guidepost for transition to circular economy".

The guidepost highlights that the transition to the circular economy is not a choice but necessity, and pinpoints food systems, wood chains, manufacturing and mobility as priority areas.

It intertwines circular economy (business models), circular change (government policies) and circular culture (citizens) to facilitate systemic change.