On 23 and 24 April 2025, the EENOVA consortium gathered in Birštonas, Lithuania , for the 3rd Consortium Meeting, graciously hosted by our partner AgriFood Lithuania. This two-day event was a vital moment in the project’s journey — focused on reporting progress, addressing challenges, planning next steps, and marking the official launch of the 3rd roundtable series.
Day 1: Progress Review and New Leadership
The first day of the meeting, 23 April, brought together a compact yet effective group of 11 project partners, working closely to assess the status of our work and prepare for the next implementation phase.
The consortium reviewed achievements since the last meeting in Ljubljana, particularly progress related to the roundtables:
- The 1st roundtable series, led by Harald, had been successfully completed and reported earlier.
- The 2nd roundtables, coordinated by Jure, have now also concluded.
Throughout the meeting, discussions centered on how to translate roundtable outcomes into actionable strategies and how to mitigate emerging challenges. Partners also ensured coordination across the various work packages — all within EENOVA’s mission of promoting energy-smart, low-carbon solutions in five focus sectors:
- Bakery
- Meat
- Water and soft drinks
- Winery
- Dairy
A special highlight of the day was the transition to the 3rd roundtable phase. With a lighthearted and symbolic gesture, the baton passed on to Jure — now transormed into a ceremonial scepter — to Kristina, who now takes the lead for this next round. These roundtables will help deepen stakeholder engagement and prepare the foundation for energy efficiency action plans tailored to the specific needs of each sector.
Day 2: Local Discovery and Team Connection
After a day of in-depth work, 24 April offered an opportunity for learning and cultural exploration.
The group began the day with a visit to Birštonas, a serene Lithuanian town known for its natural beauty and mineral springs. This was followed by a guided tour of the Birštonas Mineral Water Factory, where partners learned about sustainable water sourcing and mineral content management — topics that align well with EENOVA’s broader values.
The final stop of the day was Trakai Castle, a fairytale-like fortress on an island in Lake Galvė. The team took time to reflect, connect, and of course — capture the moment with a group selfie on the bridge in front of the historic castle.
Steady Progress, Strong Direction
The 3rd Consortium Meeting in Lithuania demonstrated once again the strength of collaboration within EENOVA. With two roundtable cycles now completed, and the third officially underway, the project continues to build momentum toward real-world impact.
We extend our sincere thanks to AgriFood Lithuania for their excellent hospitality, and to all consortium members for their contributions, energy, and trust.
The path forward is clear — and we’re moving ahead with confidence.
