YEAR 1 (2023 – 2024)
- Seminar “Food and the Circular economy”
On 28th May 2024, an open-air seminar was organised in the framework of the inauguration of the new student vegetable garden and orchard in the garden of the University of Siena’s San Francesco campus, adjacent to the historic Basilica of San Francesco.
Attendees at the inauguration included Rector Roberto Di Pietra, Prof. Salvatore Bimonte, Director of the Department of Political Economy and Statistics, Prof. Ciro Corvese, Director of the Department of Business and Legal Studies, and many students involved in the project.
The project aims to familiarize the student community with cultivation methods, enhance the outdoor space through the growing of vegetables and fruit trees, foster social interaction, and promote circular and sustainable practices.
- Seminar “Circular economy: what impact on the business sector?”
On 16th May 2024 a seminar for entrepreneurs was organised in collaboration with Confindustria Toscana, at the Siena headquarters of the regional branch of the Italian association representing manufacturing and service companies. The seminar focused on the main Green Deal implementation challenges, related in particular to the promotion of circular economy and sustainability practices, with a specific focus on the construction materials and the building sector.
- Public event: “The European Parliament and Circular Economy”
On 22nd April 2024, a public event for students, professors and society at large was organized at the Rectorate’s Great Hall of the University of Siena on the upcoming election of the European Parliament. The event promoted a public debate, with students and citizens, on the European Elections and the role of the European Parliament for an effective transition to a circular economy production and consumption system. Held on the eve of the European elections of 2024, the event contributed to raise awareness on the European elections and boost public participation and civic engagement for European citizens.
- High School Class “Learning the EU and Circular Economy at School”
On 9th May 204, to celebrate Europe’s day, an event was organised by the Jean Monnet Chair CE4INT, in cooperation with the Europe Direct Siena Centre, at the High School Bettino Ricasoli in San Giovanni D’Asso (SI) on the European Union contribution to promote economic development and protect our societies from illegal and criminal economic practices. Within such a framework, the role of the circular and sustainable transition promoted by the European Green Deal was presented and critically discussed with students. The event (held in blended form, both in presence and online) involved the participation of many high school students (16- 18 years old) belonging to the High School Bettino Ricasoli of Montalcino and San Giovanni D’Asso (SI).
YEAR 2 (2024 – 2025)
Seminar “Food and the Circular economy”
During year 2 of the project, two seminars were organised in the thematic area of food and circular economy, both in connection with the vegetable garden project of the University of Siena, promoted and sponsored by the Jean Monnet Chair CE4INT. The first seminar took place on 21 st November 2024, on the occasion of the Italian National Day for trees. During the seminar, an open discussion with students of the University of Siena engaged with the vegetable garden project was organised, with a special focus on the perspectives to create an orchard to develop food and circular economy in relationship with the Jean Monnet Chair CE4INT. During the same day, a few trees donated by the local branch of the Italian Forestry Police were planted in the vegetable garden.
The second seminar took place on 9 th May 2025 to celebrate Europe’s day add the vegetable garden with students, professors and administrative staff of the university as well as several guests and many interested citizens. The seminar focused on the European policies for environmental and social sustainability. Students engaged in the vegetable garden project presented the new plans for food and circular economy practices for spring-summer 2025, to be developed in connection with the activities of the Jean Monnet Chair CE4INT.
Seminar “Circular economy: what impact on the business sector?”
On 13th June 2025, in connection with the Europe’s days 2025, an event on the European strategies and funds to promote economic growth and sustainable development of European local territories was organised by the municipality of Colle di Val d’Elsa (SI), in partnership with the Europe Direct Centre of the University of Siena and in connection with the Jean Monnet Chair CE4INT. During the event, Prof. Montini presented the role of sustainability and circularity practices, in the framework of the implementation of the European Green Deal, as a driving force to boost sustainable and circular economy activities in European local territories.
Public event: “The European Parliament and Circular Economy”
On 16th May 2025, on the occasion of the event “What are EU doing”, organised jointly in Florence by the three Universities of Florence, Pisa and Siena, where some of the European Parliament Members (MEPs) elected in the territory of the Tuscany region met university and high school students, a streaming public event was organised in Siena by the Jean Monnet Chair for the University of Siena students who could not attend in person the event which took place in Florence. The streaming event was introduced by Prof. Massimiliano Montini and after the streaming session a debate took place with the active participation of the intervening students of the University of Siena. The debate focused inter alia on the implementation of the European Green Deal policies and the circular economy perspectives.
High School Class “Learning the EU and Circular Economy at School”
On 26 September 2025, in the framework of Bright 2025 (European Researchers’ Night), held at the Santa Maria della Scala Museum of Siena, an interactive high school class led by Prof. Massimiliano Montini on the EU policies on the implementation of the Green Deal and the circular economy best practices was organised by the Jean Monnet Chair CE4INT, with the participation of many high school students from several schools of the province of Siena.
YEAR 3 (2025 – 2026)
Seminar “Food and the Circular economy”
During year 3 of the project, a seminar was organised in the thematic area of food and circular economy, to celebrate Europe's day and the World Day of Biodiversity.
The event was organised in the framework of the vegetable garden project of the University of Siena, promoted and sponsored by the Jean Monnet Chair CE4INT. The seminar took place on 22 th May 2026 in the vegetable garden with students, professors and administrative staff of the university as well as several guests and many interested citizens. The seminar focused on the European policies for environmental and social sustainability. Students engaged in the vegetable garden project presented the new plans for food and circular economy practices for spring – summer 2026.
Seminar “Circular economy: what impact on the business sector?”
On 17th April 2026, within the framework of the Jean Monnet Chair CE4INT thematic area on the impact of the Green Deal and the sustainability and circular economy perspectives in the busines sector, Prof. Massimiliano Montini promoted and co-organised an academic dialogue hosted by the University of Siena, at the School of Economics and Management / Department of Business and Law Studies. The event focused on the evolving impact of the European Green Deal on the business sector, highlighting how European climate policies are no longer perceived solely as compliance obligations, but increasingly as strategic opportunities for sustainable growth, innovation, competitiveness, and circular economy transition. The discussion brought together scholars and experts from different fields to reflect on key topics related to ESG strategies, carbon markets, sustainability governance, and the role of enterprises in advancing climate neutrality objectives. The event fostered a valuable interdisciplinary exchange on how businesses can actively contribute to the implementation of the European Green Deal while strengthening long-term economic resilience.
Public event: “The European Parliament and Circular Economy”
On 15th May 2026, the 2026 edition of the annual event “What are EU doing”, was organised jointly at the University of Siena by the three Universities of Florence, Pisa and Siena, in co-operation with Europe Direct Siena and the other Europe Direct centres located in Tuscany. Prof. Massimiliano Montini, Jean Monnet Chair CE4INT, co-organised, introduced and acted as moderator of the event, where some of the European Parliament Members (MEPs) elected in the territory of the Tuscany geographical area met university and high school students. During the event a lively debate took place with the active participation of the intervening university and high school students. The event took place in blended form (both in presence and online). The debate focused inter alia on the implementation of the European Green Deal policies and the circular economy perspectives.
High School Class “Learning the EU and Circular Economy at School”
On 19 May 2026, within Europe’s Day celebrations 2026, and as part of the outreach activities promoted by the Jean Monnet Chair CE4INT, the event “Europe Day in Chiusi: Youth Engagement, Citizenship and Opportunities for the Future of Europe” was held in Chiusi during the Career Day of the high school IIS Valdichiana, with the support of the Municipality of Chiusi. The initiative focused on key themes related to European citizenship, youth mobility, and European opportunities for study and work, engaging high school students and teachers from the local educational community in an open and participatory dialogue on the EU policies and opportunities. During the event, Prof. Massimiliano Montini presented the activities of the Jean Monnet Chair on the Green Deal, sustainability and circular economy.