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
Dive into HERawS comprehensive trainings tailored for students, researchers, enterprises, and policymakers. Our initiatives focus on enhancing understanding and skills related to the critical raw materials essential for driving green and digital transitions.
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
ARE YOU READY TO EXPLORE THE COMPLEX WORLD OF CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS AND MINING?
Join us in Postojna, Slovenia from June 30 to July 4, 2025 for a week-long immersive Summer School that combines expert-led lectures, hands-on learning, and exclusive field visits to deepen your understanding of raw materials in the green and digital transition.
The summer school provides a comprehensive exploration of critical raw materials, covering their definition, strategic significance, global distribution, sourcing challenges, and essential role in green and digital technologies. Combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications, the course delves into key sustainability topics, including the circular economy, biological reclamation, and responsible resource management strategies. Participants will also develop a holistic perspective on the economic, social, and environmental (ESG) impact of raw material exploitation, examining its effects on ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation, and climate change.
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
For later departures: extra morning activity followed by the bus transfer to the airport or Ljubljana train station.
Who Can Apply?
Master’s and PhD students from STEM, political sciences, social sciences, and related fields.
Summer School aims to foster collaborative learning and interdisciplinary problem-solving, preparing participants to tackle the complex challenges of raw materials and mining from both technical and societal angles.
Participation & Costs
Open to 35 selected participants
Full tuition waiver for all participants
Accommodation fully covered for all selected participants
Travel grants available for participants from abroad
Participants cover their daily living expenses (meals, local transport, etc.)
How to Apply:
Click HERE to submit your application
A possible online interview may be arranged with the Summer School team to get to know you better
Wait for the selection results (will be announced by May 30, 2025)
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 25, 2025
For inquiries, contact us: katarina.lazarevic@sfb.bg.ac.rs
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
Workshop on Critical Materials for Europe's Future: Sustainable Substitution Strategies
Date: June 10, 2025 (9:00 – 14:30)
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
Workshop “Critical Materials for Europe’s Future: Sustainable Substitution Strategies”
When and Where: June 10, 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 Materials and Europe’s Future: Sustainable Substitution Strategies,” taking place on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 09:00 to 14:30 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 three major challenges related to critical raw materials in the context of the green and digital transitions:
- Raising public awareness about the importance and impact of critical raw materials
- Upskilling and educating the next generation of professionals in sustainable raw materials
- Developing decision-support systems based on sustainability criteria to guide materials selection and innovation
This event will bring together stakeholders from policy, research, and industry to explore collaborative solutions and share results through expert discussions and practical demonstrations.
Programme
08:30 – 09:00 | Welcome Coffee & Registration
Raising Public Awareness on the Importance of Raw Materials
09:00 – 09:30 | Session: Engaging Society on Raw Materials
• Alexandre Nominé – Public Talks and Awareness Activities
• Blandine Sevrigne – Matals and Minerals in Energy Transition Exhibition
• Tatiana Banderová – Podcasting for Raw Materials Literacy
→ Perspectives: “Pokémon Cards” of Metals, Escape Game
Upskilling for the Green Transition
09:30 – 10:00 | Session: Building Knowledge and Competencies
• Alexandre Nominé & Janez Zavasnik – Upgrading Curricula and the new progammes (GREENANO Example)
• Blandine Sevrigne – Learning Manuals and Tools for Educators
Round table: Skills for the Green Transition: Education, Upskilling & Innovation
10:00 – 10:45 | Moderated by Alexandre Nomine
Speakers (to be confirmed):
• EIT Raw Materials Academy
• Academic representatives
• Industry stakeholders
10:45 – 11:00 | Coffee Break
Decision Support Systems for Sustainable Materials Substitution
11:00 – 11:15 | Short Talk: ESG Risks in Mining
• Tijana Vulevic – University of Belgrade
11:15 – 12:00 | Hands-on Demonstration: AI-Powered Decision Support Tool for Substitution
• Thuy Huong Nguyen & John Lloyd Gildo (GREENANO students)
• Alexandre Nominé & Janez Zavasnik
Roundtable: How to Implement a CRMs Substitution Strategy?
12:00 – 12:45 | Moderated by Alexandre Nominé
Speakers (to be confirmed):
• DG GROW
• Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials
• Nature (Kristina Kareh?)
• STMicroelectronics
• Urban Mobility stakeholder (Rajarshi?)
12:45 – 13:00 | Closing Remarks & HERawS 2 Artistic Showcase: Nature, Materials & Cultures
→ Artist presentation of original paintings exploring the connection between nature, materials, and sustainability—part of HERawS 2’s public engagement and outreach activities
13:00 – 15:00 | Networking Lunch & Informal Podcast Recordings
→ Join the podcast corner for informal conversations with speakers and participants
Register now: