International Conference

September 3, 2025

12:00 - 14:00 Registrations, Welcome Lunch and Introduction

• Alexandre Nominé, Chairman, Associate Professor, the University of Lorraine

The “Who’s Looking for Partners?” matchmaking board will invite participants to post their contact information and project pitches. Continuously updated throughout the event, it’s designed to foster meaningful connections, with plenty of opportunities to meet and discuss over coffee.

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14:00 - 15:30 Panel Discussion

From Lab to Law: How Science Can Influence Green Deal Policy

How can research shape real change? This panel explores how scientific results and academic expertise can contribute to policy development for the Green Deal. Speakers will share concrete cases where academic work has influenced regulation, standardization, or innovation frameworks, and discuss what’s still missing to better connect researchers and policymakers.

Moderator: Anupam Sengupta, ATTRACT Fellow, Luxembourg National Research Fund, Professor of Physics & Sustainability Ambassador, University of Luxembourg, Member of the Scientific Council, Institute for Advanced Studies, Luxembourg

Speakers: to be announced later

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15:30 - 16:00 Coffee Break

Participants are invited to contribute to the collaborative board that will feed into a post-conference policy brief. Add your insights, ideas, and recommendations to help shape meaningful outcomes.

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16:00 - 17:30 Panel Discussion

Funding That Matters: Designing High-Impact Projects for a Greener Future

What makes a project more than just a publication generator? This session focuses on creating impactful proposals that go beyond academia. Participants will discuss how to build interdisciplinary teams, involve industry or public actors meaningfully, and align with EU funding priorities. The panel aims to provide concrete insights to design more strategic and useful collaborations.

Moderator: Karin Kaar, Project Manager, Mining and Mineral Technology, TalTech, Estonia

Speakers: to be announced later

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20:00 - 23:00 VIP Dinner

Entry upon VIP invitations.

September 4, 2025

08:30 - 09:00 Registrations and Morning Coffee

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09:00 - 10:30 Panel Discussion

Green Skills in Action: From Student Projects to Solving Concrete Problems

This panel features inspiring stories from students and young researchers who took part in hands-on sustainability projects — whether through internships, research work, or competitions. With guidance from mentors and educators, these projects show how students can turn knowledge into action and impact. A motivating and practical session to bridge learning and doing.

Moderator: Alexandra Noirault, CEO WEEEMET, France

Speakers: to be announced later

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10:30 - 11:00 Coffee break

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11:00 - 12:30 Panel Discussion

AI for the Green Deal: Real Applications, Real Careers

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how we approach sustainability, but how can it be applied meaningfully? This panel explores real-world uses of AI for the Green Deal, with a spotlight on materials science and related fields. From smart recycling to resource efficiency to green manufacturing, speakers will share both practical insights and personal career paths.

Moderator: Alexandre Nomine, Associate Professor, the University of Lorraine, Researcher at Jean Lamour Institute,
France and Jozef Stefan Institute, Slovenia

Speakers: to be announced later

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12:30 - 14:00 Lunch break

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14:00 - 16:00 Mission Green Deal: Collaborative Simulation Game

This interactive session is a simulation game where participants collaboratively tackle a fictional sustainability challenge tied
to the EU Green Deal goals. Mixed teams of students (mostly), researchers, and industry professionals will work together in assigned roles to develop a solution.

Facilitators:

• Panagiotis Isigonis, Lead R&T Scientist, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology
• Rajarshi Rakesh Sahai, MD - RJB Renewable Holdings, Venture Partner - Mobility VC, the Netherlands
• Veiko Karu, Associate Professor, Estonian Business School, Estonia
• Leon Stille, Managing Director, New Energy Institute, the Netherlands
• Sonja Nurmi, EU Coordinator -BATCircle2.0, Aalto University, Finland
• Tatiana Banderova, Projects Coordinator, the University of Lorraine, France

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16:00 - 16:30 Coffee Break

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16:30 - 17:30 Mission Green Deal: Collaborative Simulation Game

Each team delivers a brief pitch or poster presentation of their solution, and a winning solution will be voted by the
audience.

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18:00 - 21:00 Winners Award and Celebration Cocktail

19:00 - 21:00 Metals and Minerals in the Energy Transition” - Interactive Exhibition

Join us for a guided tour through an engaging, hands-on exhibition exploring the role of materials and metals in the green and digital transitions.

Highlights include:

• Interactive Information Stands
• Real samples of materials and critical metals
• Gamified stations: escape game & Pick-a-Metal card game
• Artistic interpretations of sustainability themes — with participating artists on site

Moderators:

• Olga Chernoburova, Project Manager, LabEx RESSOURCES 21, University of Lorraine
• Michel Cathelineau, Research Director at CNRS, GeoRessources Laboratory, University of Lorraine
• Blandine Servigne, Instructional Designer, Mines Nancy

September 5, 2025 (optional)

09:00 - 09:30 Morning coffee

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09:30 - 10:30 Guided visit to the Jean Lamour Institute