Invitation to the event: Innovation Challenge - Transition to a Regenerative Economy

At the event, you will have the opportunity to learn how universities, companies, and individuals can contribute to the transition from an extractive to a regenerative economy. The program includes lectures, workshops, and research presentations focusing on green public procurement, the impact of climate change on consumer behavior, and a practical Design Thinking workshop for developing regenerative business models.

The event will take place from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM in the Club room, located opposite the reception and main entrance. Please arrive by 10:45 AM for participant registration. Attendance is free, but prior registration is required at the following email address: davor.vuckovski@ef.uni-lj.si, no later than Friday, October 18, 2024.

Event Program:

11.00 – 11.30 Introduction and presentation
Presentation of the REGENU project
dr. Maja Zalaznik, School of Economics and Business, LU

Universities have been promoting economic growth for decades through industry-related research, commercialization of technologies, innovation, and talent development. However, recent studies show that new knowledge and learning approaches are needed to tackle the emerging global challenges and transition to a regenerative economy. To halt climate change and preserve biodiversity, Europe needs more efficient use of resources that goes beyond circularity and moves towards a regenerative economy. The ambition of the project is to develop a program that accelerates the development of regenerative solutions and entrepreneurial projects by engaging universities and collaborating with the economy, government, and society. The project aims for knowledge institutions like universities to become key players in the transition to a regenerative economy that not only reduces negative environmental impacts but actively contributes to its restoration.

11.30 – 13.30 Lecture – Workshop
Green Public Procurement: Opportunities for Innovative and Sustainable Suppliers

Tatjana Orhini Valjavec, Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Energy
Matej Cerovšek, Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Energy

We invite you to a lecture and workshop where you will explore how green public procurement impacts the environment, economy, and society. You will learn about the connection between public procurement and economics and analyze the effects of the green public procurement regulation. We will discuss how the state can promote the competitiveness of green products and the role of the C4C project in strengthening the capacity of public procurers.

The workshop will also include a practical part where we will present the public procurement process through concrete examples, introduce key institutions, and encourage participants to think independently about preparing bids and offers.

Key topics:

• Public procurement,
• Effects of the green public procurement regulation on the environment, economy, and society,
• Promoting the competitiveness of green products at the national level,
• The role of the C4C project in strengthening the capacity of public procurers.

14.00 – 14.45 Lecture – Research Presentation
Climate Change and Consumer Behavior: The Role of Sustainable Marketing in a Global Environment
Davor Vučkovski, School of Economics and Business, LU

We invite you to a research presentation conducted with 63 consumers to better understand the relationship between climate change engagement and consumer behavior in international marketing. Through structured interviews, we aimed to explore how individuals’ commitment to climate change issues affects their decision-making as consumers.

Main research goals:

• Determine how consumers perceive climate change, their concerns, and its impact on purchasing decisions and potential behavioral changes.
• Investigate which factors and information influence the selection of eco-friendly products and the role of marketing in promoting sustainable choices.
• Identify the challenges of sustainable consumption and consumers’ expectations regarding corporate and governmental initiatives for environmental responsibility.

15.00 – 17.00 Design Thinking Workshop
Transition from an Extractive Business Model to a Regenerative Business Model
dr. Mojca Svetek, School of Economics and Business, LU

We invite you to a practical workshop led by an expert in the field of entrepreneurship. Participants will have the opportunity to work on personal or other projects focused on the theme of regenerative business models or “transitioning from an extractive to a regenerative business model.” The goal of the workshop is to refine practical entrepreneurial value creation for the regenerative economy within specific projects. Teams will focus on solving concrete challenges, while also addressing relevant sustainable development goals. During the workshop, we will use the Design Thinking process for problem-solving.

17.00 – 17.30 Event Conclusion

Project Partners: