The CROSS-REIS project participated in the 9th Multidisciplinary Symposium on Circular Economy and Urban Mining (SUM 2026), held from 20–22 May 2026 on the island of Procida, Italy. Organized by the International Research Association on Circular Economy (IRACE), the symposium brought together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world to discuss the latest developments in circular economy, urban mining, sustainability transitions, and resource management.
Hosted in the unique setting of Procida – Italy’s former Capital of Culture – the conference continued its tradition as a highly multidisciplinary forum, gathering experts from engineering, economics, environmental sciences, law, sociology, and other disciplines to explore integrated approaches to circular and regenerative development.The scientific programme of SUM 2026 included more than 150 presentations from 34 countries worldwide.
The opening session featured keynote lectures by distinguished international experts, including Prof. Andrew Cunningham from the Zoological Society of London, who addressed the relationship between One Health, biodiversity, and sustainability, and Dr. Leonidas Milios from the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, who presented insights into the upcoming EU Circular Economy Act and its implications for resource security and industrial competitiveness.
As part of the scientific programme, CROSS-REIS researchers presented two papers contributing to ongoing discussions on sustainability assessment and circular economy performance.
In the session “Circular Economy Strategies in Different Countries of the World,” Sonja Jovanović, Vesna Janković-Milić, and Marija Džunić participated with the paper “Resource Efficiency and Urban Quality of Life: A Multidimensional Sustainability Assessment in Serbia.” The research explored the relationship between resource efficiency and urban well-being through a multidimensional analytical framework, highlighting the importance of integrating environmental, social, and economic indicators in sustainability evaluation.
In the session “Decision Tools in Circular Economy,” Ivana Marjanović, Jelena J. Stanković, and Marina Stanojević participated with “Benchmarking Circular Economy Progress in EU Member States: Composite Index Approach.” The study examined comparative circular economy performance across EU countries using a composite index methodology, contributing to discussions on evidence-based monitoring tools for sustainability transitions and policy evaluation.
Participation in SUM 2026 further strengthened the international visibility of the CROSS-REIS project and reinforced its contribution to contemporary debates on regenerative economy, circularity, and sustainable urban development. The symposium also provided valuable opportunities for networking, exchange of research ideas, and future scientific collaboration with international partners working on circular economy and sustainability challenges.