CHANGES IN CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

We hope all PRO-SLO enthusiasts are enjoying a fantastic summer break — recharging their batteries, exploring new places and, of course, keeping the PRO-SLO spirit alive!

At the same time, September is getting closer… and so is the PRO-SLO Scientific Conference in Freiberg!

While you are enjoying the summer, our organising team is working behind the scenes to make the conference as inspiring, productive and enjoyable as possible for everyone.

We also have a small but important organisational update regarding registration.

The registration procedure has changed!

The previous registration link is no longer available because TU Bergakademie Freiberg has introduced a brand-new online shop for conference registrations.

The new system makes registration easier and more convenient:

✅ register directly online
✅ automatically receive your invoice
✅ pay securely by credit card
✅ spend less time on paperwork and more time getting excited about the conference!

Register here: https://tu-freiberg .de/proslo-conference-2026

So, enjoy the sunshine, get some well-deserved rest and save some energy for September!

We cannot wait to welcome you to Freiberg!

See you in September!

AFTER PRO-SLO PhD SCHOOL

We were already starting to forget about our project, but thanks to the footage broadcast on Greek television, we were able to reminisce about the wonderful time we spent in Greece during the Part C classes. Below, we are publishing a report from a Greek television station about Part C of PRO-SLO PhD School 2026. The report was produced in collaboration with the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), the university that served as the lead coordinator for this part of the school.

It brought back so many great memories, inspiring discussions, and unforgettable experiences shared with colleagues and friends.

REGISTRATION FOR THE PRO-SLO PhD SCHOOL 2026 IS COMPLETED

We are thrilled to announce that we have completed the participant registration process and are starting to prepare the PRO-SLO PhD School 2026 activities.

35 PhD students have qualified to participate in the school and finally signed contracts. This school's final group of participants includes representatives from 14 countries from several continents. Participants are from Albania, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, North Macedonia, Poland, Serbia and Spain. They represent 19 universities. The staff of this school will consist of representatives from 9 academic centres and 2 industrial partners.

Such a broad representation of different countries and universities also represents a wide spectrum of societal, ethical, and environmental challenges in mining and raw materials industries and ways of dealing with them by different communities. This will facilitate the search for synthetic ways to address Social License to Operate (SLO) challenges within the raw materials sector.

From the 9th to the 13th of February 2026, registered participants will attend the first part of this school. The classes will be online . The online course schedule was shown here before. But, in fact, the course will begin on 6th of February at 9:00 a.m. during the inaugural meeting. Lecturers and students will have the opportunity to get to know each other and familiarise themselves with the atmosphere and subject matter of the school.

Next step of the school will be Part B - the interval period, from the 23rd of February to the 27th of March, students will work in groups and will be assigned with an SLO-related project with frequent online mentorship meetings.

During the onsite part, from the 19th to the 24th of April 2026, to be held in Kassandra Mines of Hellas Gold S.A in Greece, students will interact with stakeholders to develop a methodology to obtain SLO, with the support of academic and industry mentors.

This unique educational opportunity focuses on tackling—a field facing public opposition and ethical concerns. The program aims to train future leaders to navigate complex societal, ethical, and environmental issues in mining and raw materials industries.

The PRO-SLO PhD School is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) educational program and is co-funded by the European Union.

Extension of the registration deadline
NEW DEADLINE - 19.XII.2025

We have received messages from people interested in PRO-SLO PhD School saying that they need a little more time to complete their application documents. We understand that conducting research can sometimes be very busy, so we are moving the registration deadline to 19 December 2025. Please remember that it takes some time to prepare the documents. Do not leave this form until the last minute.

2nd PRO-SLO PhD School – CALL FOR STUDENTS IS OPEN!

After a very successful 1rst edition in 2025, the Call for student applications for the 2nd PRO-SLO PhD School, that is funded by EIT RawMaterials, is open!

From the 4th of November to the 15th of December 2025, students can apply for participation through the link: 2nd PRO-SLO PhD School Student Application

The School is a specialized education programme in the topic of Social Licence to Operate (SLO), comprising online and onsite parts, exclusively for PhD students in the field of raw materials, engineering, social, business, economic and environmental sciences.

The 2026 School edition comprises an online part, from 9th to 13th of February 2026, with lectures on the basic SLO principles and terminology from various perspectives, such as policy, societal, ethical and environmental and SLO examples related to the Raw Materials sector. During the onsite part, from the 19th to the 24th of April 2026, to be held in Kassandra Mines of Hellas Gold S.A in Greece, students will interact with stakeholders to develop a methodology to obtain SLO, with the support of academic and industry mentors. Between the two parts, in the interval period, from the 23rd of February to the 27th of March, students will work in groups and will be assigned with an SLO-related project with frequent online mentorship meetings.

At the completion of the PRO-SLO PhD school, students will know and understand:

• Concept, principles and business case for a SLO in the Raw Materials industry, and the risks involved in ignoring the importance of a social license;
• Nature and dynamics of stakeholders, the role of social capital, and how to interact with communities to gain and maintain a SLO.

The PhD School is beginner level; no previous knowledge and experience on the topic of SLO is needed. The students are also exempt from paying any participation fees.

All information about the PRO-SLO PhD School program, organisation and structure, learning outcomes, eligibility criteria and more can be found in the Call document. You can also observe PhD PRO-SLO School https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7391645877163032576

Please check your eligibility and apply now!

In case of any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at: christod@metal.ntua.gr

Wrap up of the 1st edition of the PhD School – memories from Vareš

PRO-SLO PHD WINTER/SUMMER SCHOOL 2025 COMPLETED

Congratulations to the 16 PhD Students who completed the three stages of the PRO-SLO PhD Winter/Summer School 2025.

On 27 June 2025, the entire group received certificates of completion from the PRO-SLO PhD School. The ceremony took place in Vareš, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the third stage of the school was held.

We wish the graduates that the knowledge and experience they have gained will help them in their further scientific development and professional work.

THE NEXT EDITION OF THE SCHOOL WILL TAKE PLACE IN 2026.

We invite you to follow the information on our website and our LinkedIn profile

PRO-SLO PHD SCHOOL ON-SITE: 23RD TO 27TH JUNE 2025, VAREŠ, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Classes will be held according to the following schedule.

PRO-SLO 1st PhD School – February summary:

The online part is finished.

Congratulations to all participants

The 2nd stage of the school follows from 17th February to 12th May. This is a “mentorship” period and group work on the variety of case studies related to the next step - on-site school in Vareš.

3rd and last stage of implementation – on-site school in Vareš, hosted by Adriatic Metals industry from 23rd to 27th June 2025.

Work in your groups and wait for emails with details about the next steps.

PRO-SLO PhD WINTER School 2025 IN NUMBERS!

30 s the number of total participants in our school, comprising 15 women and 15 men.

The group includes citizens from 4 continents and simultaneously 15 countries. The most represented country is Greece - (6 participants). Pakistan is second (5 participants) and Croatia third (4 participants). The other participants represent the following countries: Germany, Poland, Serbia, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, India, Ghana, Jordan, Nigeria, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

Our participants come from doctoral schools located at universities in 10 countries. 6 are studying in Poland, 4 in Croatia, 4 in Greece and 3 each in Germany, Austria and Hungary. Other universities are in Estonia, Portugal, Serbia and Italy.

Our students represent a wide variety of scientific disciplines. They include specialists in Mining and Metallurgical Engineering - the most popular specialisations among our students. There are also graduates in intelligent geosystems, environmental engineering, sustainable energy systems, and others. It can be expected that this diversity of interests and scientific achievements of the participants will be a source of a broad exchange of experiences and will add value to all participants.

It promises to be an ambitious, innovative and scientifically stimulating time.

We start at the 3^rd of February 2025.

Join the PRO-SLO PhD School 2025 in Bosnia and Herzegovina!

The PRO-SLO PhD School is now accepting applications for its 2025 program, which will take place on line from February 3 th -7th 2025 -introductory course and on-site June 23rd to 27th. This unique educational opportunity focuses on tackling Social License to Operate (SLO) challenges within the raw materials sector—a field facing public opposition and ethical concerns. The program aims to train future leaders to navigate complex societal, ethical, and environmental issues in mining and raw materials industries.

Key Dates to Remember!

• Online Course: February 3-7, 2025 – Introduction to SLO principles.
• On site Course: June 23-27, 2025 - Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Application Deadline: December 15, 2024.

Program Highlights:

• Hands-on Onsite Experience: Conducted in Vareš, Bosnia and Herzegovina, at Adriatic Metals BH d.o.o.
• Team-Based Projects: Two months of collaborative work with online mentorship.
• ECTS Credits: Earn 4 ECTS credits.
• Tuition-Free: Travel and accommodation support provided.

Who Can Apply?

Motivated PhD students with at least B2 level English proficiency who are eager to enhance their skills in addressing SLO challenges are encouraged to apply.The PRO-SLO PhD School is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) educational program and is co-funded by the European Union.

Academic Partners:

• AGH University of Science and Technology
• Luleå University of Technology (LTU)
• Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences (MEERI)
• Montanuniversität Leoben (MUL)
• National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)
• Graz University of Technology (TU Graz)
• Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF)
• Technical University of Madrid (UPM)
• University of Zagreb – Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering (UNIZG-RGNF)

Industry Partners:

• Adriatic Metals
• Hellas Gold S.A.

For more information and to apply please visit: www.proslo.eu

Registration is OPEN

The Call for the 1st generation of PRO-SLO PhD school participants is officially open! From 15th October to 15th December, you can apply for participation on this link: PRO SLO 2025 Registration Link

All information about the PRO-SLO school programme, organisation and structure, learning outcomes, eligibility criteria and more can be found in the Open Call document uploaded below.

In case of any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at info@proslo.eu