The CIRCOLIVE project was presented at the Olive Oil World Congress 2026, one of the world’s leading scientific, institutional, and business events dedicated to the olive oil sector, held in Lisbon, Portugal, in July 2026.

The Congress brought together more than 380 researchers, olive oil producers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders from 43 countries to exchange the latest scientific knowledge and discuss the future of sustainable olive oil production. The event was held with the support of the International Olive Council (IOC), alongside CIHEAM Zaragoza and the Mediterranean Diet Foundation, organizations that play a central role in advancing research, education, and sustainable development in the olive oil sector.

The CIRCOLIVE project was presented during an invited lecture entitled “Developing Skills for Introducing Circular Business Models and Digital Technologies in the Olive Oil Sector: The Role of the CIRCOLIVE Project,” delivered by Dr. Karolina Brkić Bubola from the Institute of Agriculture and Tourism (Croatia).

The presentation highlighted CIRCOLIVE’s aim and mission to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of small and medium-sized olive oil producers through innovative education and skills development needed for the transition to a circular economy. The presentation showed the collaborative work of the international CIRCOLIVE consortium, coordinated by Vakakis S.A. (Greece) and other partners from five Mediterranean countries: the Agricultural University of Athens (Greece), Check-IN – Cooperation and Development Association (Portugal), Agrifood Clust-ER (Italy), Training and Consulting Centre of the Chamber of Commerce (Italy), Lleida Chamber of Commerce (Spain), Fundació Eurecat (Spain), the Institute of Agriculture and Tourism (Croatia), and the University of Bologna (Italy), in developing online training programmes focused on circular business models, digital transformation, and the adoption of advanced technologies in the olive oil sector. These educational resources aim to support more sustainable olive oil production by promoting efficient resource use, the valorisation of by-products, waste reduction, and digital innovation.
Presenting CIRCOLIVE at such an important international event demonstrates the project’s growing recognition and its contribution to promoting sustainable, innovative, and future-oriented solutions for the olive oil value chain. The opportunity to share the project’s results with a global audience further strengthens its impact and supports the wider dissemination of its educational resources among researchers, educators, policymakers, and olive oil professionals worldwide.

Funded by the Erasmus+ Programme through the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), CIRCOLIVE is developing practical learning opportunities to support the EU’s transition to a circular economy by enhancing circular business skills within the olive oil sector and promoting waste and by-product valorisation.