HERawS is dedicated to enhancing knowledge and expertise in the critical raw materials sector. Our team develops educational resources and tools specifically designed to benefit researchers, students, SMEs and policymakers. Through innovative training programs, public awareness initiatives, and cutting-edge assessment tools, we aim to provide comprehensive support in understanding and addressing the challenges associated with raw materials criticality.
Educational Programs
Workshop on Critical Raw Materials for Europe's Green and Digital Transition
Date: October 23, 2025 (9:00 – 13:00)
Location: Brussels, Maison Irène et Frédéric Joliot-Curie, 100 Rue du Trône 1050
Format: 1 day on-site (workshop, expert talks, and networking)
For whom: Policy-makers, enterprises, and sustainability stakeholders
The Workshop brought together brilliant researchers, policymakers and engineering talent to tackle one key question:
👉 How can Europe secure the critical raw materials driving the green and digital transition?
💡From responsible mining to AI-driven material substitution, and from skills for the future to public awareness, every session buzzed with ideas and insight.
Workshop “Critical Raw Materials for Europe’s Green and Digital Transition“
When and Where: October 23, 2025 in Brussels (Belgium), Maison Irène et Frédéric Joliot-Curie, 100 Rue du Trône 1050
Who Should Join: Policy-makers, enterprises, and sustainability stakeholders
Introduction
We are pleased to invite you to the workshop “Critical Raw Materials for the Green and Digital Transition,” taking place on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 09:00 to 14:00 at the Maison Irène et Frédéric Joliot-Curie, 100 Rue du Trône, 1050 Brussels.
Through the EU-funded projects HERawS, GREENANO, IGNITE and others, we have collectively tackled major challenges related to critical raw materials in the context of the green and digital transitions.
This event will bring together stakeholders from policy, research, and industry, as well as engineering students, to explore collaborative solutions and share results through expert discussions and practical demonstrations.
Programme
08:30 – 09:00 | Welcome Coffee & Networking
9:00 – 10:00 | Session 1: Towards Sustainable Raw Materials for Europe’s Green Transition
Opening Talks (9:00 – 9:05):
Alexandre Nominé, HERawS scientific coordinator, Associate Professor, University of Lorraine
Keynote talks:
Best Practices for Responsible Mining (9:05 – 09:30)
Tijana Vulevic, Associate Professor, University of Belgrade
Resilient sourcing of Critical Raw Materials for the energy and digital transition (9:30 – 09:50):
Michalis Christou, Senior Expert at European Commission – Joint Research Centre (JRC) Critical Materials & Resilience of Supply Chains for Energy Transition technologies
Open Q&A with the audience
10:00 – 11:00 | Session 2: Substitution of Critical Materials
Scientific Presentation “Data-Driven Discovery: Substitution Strategies for Critical Materials” (10:00 – 10:20):
Featuring recent results in review in Nature Communications
Janez Zavašnik, Senior Researcher, Jožef Stefan Institute
Interactive Demos (10:20 – 11:00)Live demonstration of HERawS open-access software tools for material substitution and scenario analysis
Huong Thuy Nguyen, John Lloyd Gildo, GREENANO EMJM students
Guilain Leduc, R&D specialist, University of Luxembourg
11: 00 – 11:15 | Coffee Break
11:15 – 12:15 | Session 3: New Skills for Sustainable Raw Materials
Presentation “Training for the Transition: Building New Skills in Raw Materials and Sustainability” (11:15 – 11:30):
Alexandre Nominé, Associate Professor, University of Lorraine (Mines Nancy)
Roundtable Discussion (11:30 – 12:00) with:
Jan Eggert, Head of Business Development, EIT Raw Materials
Claudio Goletti, Professor, Tor Vergata University of Rome
Andrei Bunis, Policy Officer – Skills for Competitiveness, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
Open Q&A with the audience
12:15 – 12:45 | Session 4: Engaging the Public
Talk & Dialogue “From Mines to Minds: Raising Public Awareness on Strategic Materials” (12:15 – 12:30):
Tatiana Banderova, HERawS and GREENANO project manager, Director of International Relations at Mines Nancy, University of Lorraine
Art Intervention (12:30 – 12:40):
Maria Andrade-Andrade, artists involved in HERawS outreach activities
12:40 – 13:00 | Closing Remarks
Frédérique Vidal, former Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, France, Director of Strategy and Scientific Impact at SKEMA Business School
13:00 – 14:00 | Networking Buffet & Exhibition Viewing
An opportunity to connect over lunch, discover artistic contributions, and experience some of the educational materials and interactive displays from HERawS.
Summer School: Critical Raw Materials & Sustainable Mining
Dates: June 30 – July 4, 2025
Location: Jozef Stefan Institute, Slovenia
Format: on-site, practical training week with field visits
For whom: Master’s and PhD students
The Summer School brought together 23 students from 15 countries. With diverse backgrounds in materials science, nanotechnologies, engineering, and environmental studies, they explored how raw materials can drive the green and digital transition.
The HERawS Summer School on Critical Raw Materials and Sustainable Mining successfully concluded in July 2025 in Postojna, Slovenia, bringing together 23 students from 15 countries. With diverse backgrounds in materials science, nanotechnologies, engineering, and environmental studies, participants explored how raw materials can drive a more sustainable and responsible green and digital transition.
The week combined challenge-based learning, expert-led sessions, and field visits to mining sites. In interdisciplinary teams, students developed hydrogen-based solutions addressing the needs of science, policy, industry, and business, presenting their proposals at the end of the program.
Beyond technical content, the Summer School fostered collaboration, creativity, and global exchange, laying the groundwork for future initiatives in the field.
Summer School Highlights
Engaging lectures led by experts in critical raw materials and sustainable mining from the University of Lorraine (France), Jožef Stefan Institute (Slovenia) and the University of Belgrade (Serbia).
Collaborative practical work in interdisciplinary groups with dedicated supervisors
Field visits, offering insights into real-world mining practices
Programme
30 June:
Arrival in Ljubljana (tip for students: if feasible, try to arrive in the morning to have 2-3 extra hours to explore the lovely old city of Ljubljana)
Afternoon bus transfer from Ljubljana to Postojna for the hotel check-in
1–2 July:
Training on-site: interactive seminars and collaborative workshops
3 July:
Full-day visit to the Idrija Mercury Mine and the underground museum
4 July:
Morning hotel check-out. For early departures: bus transfer to the airport or Ljubljana train station in the morning
Scientific Seminar: Raw Materials for Green and Digital Transition
Dates: April 8 – 9, 2025
Location: University of Lorraine (Mines Nancy), France
Format: on-site, interactive seminar and networking
For whom: Researchers, Scientists, PhD students
The Seminar took place on 8-9 April. It was an inspiring day full of discussions, knowledge exchange, and new connections. Thank you to all participants for joining us!
Scientific Seminar on Raw Materials for Green and Digital Transition
When and Where: 8-9 April 2025, University of Lorraine (Mines Nancy), Nancy (France)
Who Should Join: Researchers, Scientists, PhD students
Seminar Programme
Tuesday, 8 April (4 hours)
📍 Focus: Understanding the Role and Challenges of Raw Materials in the Green and Digital Transition
☕️ 09:00 – 09:45 | Morning Coffee
09:45 – 10:00 | Welcome and Introduction
- Overview of HERawS and its educational mission
- Objectives of the seminar
- Key themes and expected outcomes
10:00 – 11:00 | How to Leverage Sustainability in Your Scientific Publications
- Integrating sustainability aspects in research articles
- Best practices for journal submissions and impact metrics
- Ethical considerations and responsible science communication
11:00 – 12:00 | Keynote: Materials for Green and Digital Transition
- The role of materials science in sustainability
- Key materials driving technological innovation
- Challenges in securing sustainable supply chains
🍽️ 12:00 – 14:00 | Lunch Break & Networking
14:00 – 15:00 | The Mineral Resources for the Green and Digital Transition
- Essential mineral resources for batteries, semiconductors, and renewable energy
- Global supply chains and geopolitical challenges
- Interactive discussion: future demand scenarios
15:00 – 16:00 | Mining’s Impact on Environment and Society: A Pathway to Sustainable Development
- Environmental and social consequences of mining
- Case studies: best practices and community engagement
- Interactive Q&A
Wednesday, 9 April (4 hours)
📍 Focus: Innovative Approaches and Scientific Contributions to Sustainability
☕️ 09:30 – 10:00 | Morning Coffee
10:00 – 11:00 | Metals of the Future: Recovering Critical Resources within the Framework of the Circular Economy
- Circular economy principles applied to critical metals
- Technologies for material recovery and recycling
- Policy and industry perspectives on resource efficiency
11:00 – 12:00 | Towards Sustainable Materials by Design
- Designing materials with sustainability in mind
- Advanced materials for energy and digital applications
- Challenges in material substitution and performance
🍽️ 12:00 – 14:00 | Lunch Break & Networking
14:00 – 15:00 | Decision Support System for Sustainable Material Selection
- Frameworks for evaluating materials sustainability
- AI and data-driven approaches for decision-making
- Case studies on sustainable materials
15:00 – 16:00 Advancing Sustainability through Materials Science Teaching
- Learning by challenge to teach sustainable materials
- Outreach to different education levels, inspiring interest among younger generation
- Raising public awareness about the materials behind the twin transition
16:00 – 16:30 | Closing remarks and key takeaways
