ReLEAF, in collaboration with AgriNext, recently held a series of co-creation sessions at BC Naklo in Slovenia, bringing together students and educators to explore the transition towards more circular and sustainable nutrient systems. Facilitated by EFFoST, with support from BC Naklo, the sessions combined hands-on learning with participatory design methods to address key challenges in the adoption of bio-based fertilisers.
As part of the citizen science activities within the framework of ReLEAF, participants engaged in interactive workshops designed to move beyond traditional lectures. Instead, they worked collaboratively to explore how nutrients flow through current food systems, identify key barriers, and develop alternative approaches for recycling organic waste back into agriculture. Activities included nutrient system mapping, stakeholder role play, and the co-design of circular solutions, encouraging participants to think critically about the relationship between waste generation and continued reliance on chemical fertilisers.
A central theme throughout the sessions was trust. Participants consistently highlighted that trust in bio-based fertilisers depends not only on communication, but also on evidence, testing, traceability, and accountability. These insights provided valuable input for the ReLEAF project, reinforcing the importance of transparent and verifiable systems in supporting wider adoption.
The programme evolved over the three days. The first sessions focused on understanding the current system and its challenges, including the paradox of nutrient-rich waste streams coexisting with high dependence on synthetic fertilisers. The second day shifted towards solution development, where participants translated their ideas into early-stage circular business models. These concepts addressed key questions such as who produces bio-based fertilisers, how value is created, and how trust can be built among users and stakeholders.
The final session broadened the perspective by linking these discussions to the wider European bioeconomy context. It also highlighted the workshop methodology itself, inspired by project B-Trust Methodology, demonstrating how co-creation, systems thinking, and participatory approaches can be applied in educational and vocational settings. This dual focus made the session relevant not only for its content, but also as a model for future learning and stakeholder engagement activities.
Overall, the sessions showed how combining technical knowledge with participatory methods can support both learning and innovation. By engaging students and educators in the co-design of circular solutions, ReLEAF continues to contribute to building more sustainable and trusted approaches to nutrient management in agriculture.