In the Barbara Celjska Hall of the Celje Regional Museum, as part of the EPC Trnovlje South – support services for companies project, a workshop was held titled "How to keep a business alive in an unpredictable business environment – the principles of circular economy as first aid for the flourishing of Celje's entrepreneurship." The event was attended by a diverse group of businesswomen, businessmen, representatives of the Municipality of Celje, and experts in the field of circular economy.

The workshop, with active participation, provided a rich insight into advanced technological, entrepreneurial, and sustainable practices that are shaping the future of the economy in the region. It was carried out in cooperation with the Municipality of Celje and mag. Ladeja Godina Košir from the Circular Change Institute. It was prepared by the Zlatorog Celje Business Club, which provides support services for companies within the EPC Trnovlje South.

Why circular economy and EPC Trnovlje South as a testing ground for breakthrough solutions

In times when the business environment is becoming increasingly unpredictable and unstable, the circular economy is not just a trend, but a necessity.

We placed the EPC Trnovlje South economic zone at the center. Due to its infrastructure, location, and development, it has great potential for establishing new, regenerative value chains. Participants at the event exchanged concrete proposals and initiatives for:

• the utilization of secondary raw materials within the business zone,
• connecting companies for the joint use of resources (energy, logistics, knowledge),
• testing sustainable innovations using the "living lab" model – inspired by the Dutch The Green Village, where companies test solutions for sustainable living and production in real-world conditions,
• the use of rainwater from the roofs of warehouses and buildings where greening the roofs is not feasible, to supply ecosystem reservoirs for supporting the hydrant and fire protection system, following the example of Scotland, where football pitches are irrigated with collected rainwater.

The workshop, led by Ladeja Godina Košir, provided concrete substantive answers and created a space for networking – between companies, between the municipality and the economy, and between ideas and implementation.

All those present unanimously confirmed that without the inclusion of local entrepreneurs, a successful transition to a circular economy is not possible.

Celje has all the conditions to become a model for circular transformation at the regional level – from the tradition of industry to strong local initiatives such as EPC Trnovlje South. One of the challenges was also how we envision Celje in 2045 – bold, green, and circularly attractive – realistically achievable with the collaborative spirit that is key to progress.