Written by: Dafni Delioglani, FOCUS STC and Dimitris Moustakis, AFS

Turning the Theory of the Circular Economy into Real, Applicable Solutions for Agricultural Production

On 19 November 2025, BBioNets partners American Farm School and FOCUS Strategic Thinking Consultants successfully hosted the project’s inaugural Greek Train-the-Trainer workshop in Thessaloniki.

The necessity for this workshop, titled ‘Composting & Circular Economy in Practice’, arose directly from discussions and interactions between members of the Greek Forest and Agriculture Network (FAN) during the BBioNets Info-Days. A key area of identified interest among producers was composting and effective soil fertility management.

During the Welcome speech and the BBioNets Project presentation, speakers emphasised the critical importance of integrating bioeconomy principles into agri-food systems. The crucial role of Operational Groups as drivers of innovation for sustainable practices was also highlighted.

The workshop was structured into three focused sessions:

• Theoretical Session: Participants gained foundational knowledge on the thermophilic phase of composting, the concept of the maturation curve, and essential techniques for regulating the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio.
• Practical (Field) Session: This hands-on segment provided participants with direct experience in the processes required to convert organic waste (sourced from animal, plant, and household materials) into valuable organic fertiliser.
• Laboratory Session: The workshop concluded with a brief lab observation, where participants had the opportunity to view vermicomposting worms under a microscope.

Upon completion, participants successfully acquired the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively implement advanced composting practices directly on their farms, thereby accelerating the adoption of circular economy principles.