About the Conference
The story of this conference series began in 2022 as a scientific-professional meeting titled The Future of the Croatian Wine Industry, held at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Rijeka.
From the very beginning, the goal was not to create another large, formal conference with parallel sessions and limited discussion space, but rather a platform for open, meaningful, and focused dialogue.
Over time, the conference evolved from a national, Croatian-language event into an international scientific conference held in English, with participants and organizing committee members from various European countries.
The third edition, taking place in May 2026, confirms this development:
- a strong international program committee
- 40 submitted papers
- participants from 8 countries
- conference conducted in English
Despite its growth and internationalization, the conference has retained its core identity:
a small, invitation-based event focused on discussion, idea exchange, and research collaboration.
Thematic Focus
Although topics have expanded from the wine sector to agriculture more broadly, the central theme remains:
Economic, organizational, and developmental aspects of the agri-food sector under conditions of change and uncertainty.
The conference encourages research on:
- sustainability and competitiveness
- impacts of climate and market changes
- innovation and technological transformation
- risk management
- consumer behavior and market strategies
- public policies and development strategies
The conference acts as a bridge between academia, policymakers, and practitioners.
A Platform for Collaboration
One of the key objectives is to foster international research cooperation.
The smaller number of participants enables:
- intensive communication
- exchange of research ideas
- development of joint projects and publications
The conference is not just a place to present results, but a space for:
- shaping new research questions
- developing project proposals
- connecting with international partners
- mentoring early-career researchers
Looking Ahead
The evolution from a national event to an international scientific conference demonstrates how a clear vision, thematic focus, and commitment to quality can create a recognizable and sustainable academic event.
Its value lies not in size, but in:
- quality of discussions
- intensity of collaboration
- long-term contribution to understanding agricultural development
Past Conferences
The Future of the Croatian Wine Industry (April 8, 2022)
The first conference laid the foundation for the initiative.
- 12 presentations
- one-day format
- included a final sensory (organoleptic) workshop
Topics included:
- climate change impacts on wine production
- trade models (e.g., gravity model)
- technological innovation in viticulture
- COVID-19 distribution challenges
- labor market issues
- consumer perception and branding
It established the core format:
limited number of papers, no parallel sessions, strong interaction.
Sustainability of Croatian Agriculture (May 16–17, 2024)
The second conference marked a major step forward:
- two-day format
- held in Sveti Martin na Muri
- international participants (Slovenia, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Ukraine)
Expanded topics included:
- sustainability of agricultural production
- challenges of family farms
- climate and resource constraints
- market positioning and added value
- EU policies and rural development
- links between agriculture and tourism
The conference strengthened its interdisciplinary approach and maintained its interactive format.
Announcement
3rd International Scientific Conference: Sustainability of European Agriculture
May 14–16, 2026 – Moise Palace, Cres Island
The third edition represents the strongest step toward full internationalization.
- 33 presentations
- participants from 8 countries
- strong international program committee
Key Themes
- sustainability and resilience of rural areas
- economic dynamics and market processes
- digitalization and technological innovation (AI, decision-support systems)
- ESG, circular economy, and social dimensions
- labor and human capital in agriculture
The conference maintains its signature format:
- no parallel sessions
- emphasis on discussion
- informal networking opportunities
Conclusion
The third conference confirms the evolution of the initiative,
from a national event on the wine sector → to an international scientific conference on European agricultural sustainability. Despite growth, the core idea remains unchanged:
A small, high-quality, discussion-oriented academic platform focused on long-term collaboration.