Newsroom

January 24, 2025, Udine, Italy
The FREECOVER project, a 48-month Horizon Europe initiative, officially launched on January 16, 2025, with a hybrid Kick-off Meeting hosted by the Università degli Studi di Udine. SITES, a key partner in the project, will lead efforts in communication, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement to ensure the project’s visibility and impact.

FREECOVER targets the sustainable recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) to address the EU’s critical supply chain dependencies. With REEs being essential for green technologies, the project aims to promote circular economy practices, develop innovative extraction systems, and enhance the EU’s leadership in sustainability. The initiative also includes a quadruple helix model to integrate academia, industry, policymakers, and civil society for maximum impact.

Through interdisciplinary collaboration among partners from universities and research institutions across Europe, FREECOVER will advance cutting-edge research, training, and public engagement. Activities include creating Science Cafés, developing eco-friendly technologies, and delivering open-access resources to ensure wide dissemination and long-term impact.

Prof. Andrea Melchior from the Università di Udine remarked: “The FREECOVER project aims to enhance research partnerships, strengthen skills in REE and separation science and technology. Current and next steps include, starting with the secondments activity and promote best practices through mobility, events, and seminars.” SITES CEO, Mr. Leonardo Piccinetti, commented: “Energy independence and sustainability are defining challenges of our time. FREECOVER will create lasting impact through innovation, research, and collaboration, setting a new benchmark for rare earth recovery solutions.”

FREECOVER will focus on fostering sustainable practices and innovative solutions for the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs), engaging regions across Europe and beyond, including Italy, Serbia, Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with additional collaboration from Cuba. The project brings together research institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers to advance sustainability through interdisciplinary collaboration, cutting-edge research, and public engagement.

At the Kick-off Meeting, held at the Università degli Studi di Udine, the European and international project partners introduced themselves and highlighted their contributions to FREECOVER. Key agenda items included planning initial activities such as creating the project’s visual identity, establishing communication and dissemination strategies, mapping existing REE recovery techniques, and defining quality assurance and risk management protocols. The consortium underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and education in achieving FREECOVER’s ambitious vision of sustainability and circular economy practices.

About FREECOVER Project

FREECOVER is a Horizon Europe-funded project under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges. Coordinated by the Università degli Studi di Udine, the project unites an interdisciplinary consortium to address challenges in sustainable rare earth element (REE) recovery. By fostering innovation and collaboration, FREECOVER aims to advance the EU’s independence in key supply chains, promote circular economy practices, and achieve transformative impacts in sustainability.

For information about the FREECOVER project

Contact:

Coordinator: Prof. Andrea Melchior

Polytechnic Department of Engineering and Architecture, Chemistry Laboratories, Via del Cotonificio, 108, 33100 Udine, Italy

E: andrea.melchior@uniud.it

Thank you

By

Maghraby Elseify

SITES Communication Consultant

We are thrilled to welcome Giorgio Camerini as a new intern at SITES! Giorgio is currently in his third year of a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Markets, and Institutions. His academic background, combined with his passion for sustainable development and innovative business practices, makes him a valuable addition to our team.

At SITES, Giorgio will be involved in various projects related to European initiatives, circular economy, and innovative management. His analytical skills, dedication, and enthusiasm for learning will contribute significantly to our mission of driving positive change and sustainable growth.

We are excited to see the impact Giorgio will make during his internship and are confident that this experience will be mutually beneficial. Welcome to the team, Giorgio!

We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to the Sustainable Innovation Technology Services Ltd. (SITES) team, Irina Vitchinka.

Irina joins us as an intern in project management, bringing a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to driving positive change through EU-funded projects.Irina holds a degree in law and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree focused on developing and managing EU-funded projects.

Her impressive background includes working on projects related to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights at the Council of Europe from 2018 to 2022. Irina’s passion for public international law and her dedication to human rights and education initiatives make her an invaluable asset to our team.

At SITES, Irina will be contributing her expertise and enthusiasm to various initiatives, helping us to continue our mission of fostering sustainability and innovation. We are confident that her unique skills and perspective will enhance our projects and help us achieve our goals.Please join us in welcoming Irina to the SITES family.

We look forward to achieving great things together!

At SITES, we are thrilled to welcome Zlata Dolia to our team as our newest intern. Zlata joins us from the prestigious University of Bologna, bringing her passion for structured problem-solving and a desire to contribute to impactful projects

Educational Background

Zlata is currently studying at the [University of Bologna](https://www.unibo.it/it), a renowned institution known for its rigorous academic programs and commitment to excellence. Her academic journey has equipped her with a solid foundation in project management methodologies and analytical skills, which she is eager to apply during her internship at SITES.

Zlata’s Vision and Goals

Zlata is excited to embark on this internship, driven by a passion for structured problem-solving and a desire to contribute to impactful projects. Her ambition is to deepen her understanding of project management methodologies and tools while actively supporting the delivery of innovative solutions. Zlata aims to enhance her organizational and analytical skills through hands-on experience, learning from a team of professionals committed to excellence. This opportunity aligns with her long-term goal of mastering the art of managing complex projects, fostering collaboration, and achieving meaningful outcomes.

Why Zlata Chose SITES.

Zlata was drawn to SITES because of our commitment to innovation and sustainable development. She is looking forward to learning from our team of experts and contributing to our mission of enabling businesses to achieve unique goals through tailor-made services and solutions. Zlata’s enthusiasm and dedication make her a valuable addition to our team, and we are confident that she will thrive in this environment.

Looking Ahead

We are excited to see the innovative solutions and fresh perspectives that Zlata will bring to our projects. Her dedication to learning and growth is already evident, and we are eager to support her as she navigates this new chapter of her professional journey.

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Zlata Dolia.

Thank you

by

Maghraby Elseify

SITES Communication Consultant

We are thrilled to welcome Emilia Annese to SITES as she embarks on her journey with us. Emilia is a highly motivated freelance researcher who brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for exploring new horizons within and outside the academic world.

With a keen interest in project management positions in the field of EU projects, Emilia is eager to gain hands-on experience and understand if her skills are suitable for this dynamic and impactful field. Her commitment to exploring opportunities and investing in her professional development aligns perfectly with SITES’ mission of fostering innovation and sustainability through strategic communication.

Emilia’s academic background and practical research experience make her a valuable addition to our team. We look forward to supporting her as she navigates this exciting phase of her career, contributing to our projects and sharing her insights with our community.

Please join us in welcoming Emilia Annese to SITES. We are confident that her journey with us will be fruitful and that she will make significant contributions to our ongoing projects and initiatives.

Stay tuned for updates on Emilia’s progress and achievements during her time with SITES!

We are pleased to announce a significant milestone in the realm of international research collaboration, with the recent publication of a paper titled “Science diplomacy in the European and Latin American and Caribbean research infrastructure collaboration”. in Science and Public Policy (https://doi.org/10.1093/scipol/scae054). This paper, is authored by our esteemed researcher, Maria Lima Toivanen, and comes from her extensive project work while residing in Finland

The paper delves into the intricate dynamics of collaboration between the European Union (EU) and Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC) on research infrastructures, highlighting the pivotal role of science diplomacy in fostering these partnerships. The collaboration efforts detailed in this publication underscore the potential for international cooperation to drive scientific advancements and address global challenges.

Also, the study, enriched with detailed schematics, offers insights for policymakers, researchers, and organizations looking to foster effective trans-regional research infrastructure collaborations. This work is pivotal in guiding the development of policies that aim to bridge scientific communities across continents.

Maria Lima Toivanen’s work exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and innovation that SITES is proud to support. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to her on this notable accomplishment and look forward to witnessing the positive impact of this research on international scientific partnerships.

Thank you

by

Maghraby Elseify

SITES Communcation Consultant