EURECA-PRO TUC Student Ambassadors and doctoral students Agapi Orfanoudaki and Marios Salinas report back from the 19th Freiberg Colloquium of Young Researchers that took place in Freiberg, Germany between 2 and 6 of June 2025.

Our experience at the Freiberg Colloquium 2025 was nothing short of inspiring. From June 2–6, we had the unique opportunity to join young researchers from across Europe in a vibrant exchange of ideas on Responsible Consumption and Production in the Use of the Earth’s Resources.

It was a well-structured week that combined high-level academic dialogue with meaningful cultural and professional experiences.

- Insightful Presentations: We presented our own research and gained valuable feedback while learning from peers working on innovative sustainability solutions across diverse disciplines. The experience of presenting in such an international setting was truly empowering—and even more so as Marios Salinas (TUC) was honored with one of the Best Presentation Awards, a recognition that made the week even more memorable.

- Training for Impact: A focused course on excellence in sustainability research offered tools and methodologies that we are already excited to implement in our future work.

- Industrial & Research Excursions: We explored leading local institutions and companies at the forefront of sustainable resource management—Freiberg’s rich mining heritage provided the perfect backdrop for future-oriented conversations.

- Meaningful Connections: Beyond academic collaboration, we connected through evening social events, making lasting friendships and expanding our professional networks.

- Cultural Exchange: A crash course in German and an immersive cultural program reminded us how language and local context can strengthen international cooperation.

We are deeply grateful to the organizers of the Colloquium and the EURECA-PRO Alliance for making this experience possible. It was a perfect balance of learning, sharing, and growing—both as researchers and individuals.