Regional conference | CORE Days 2025
beyond
profit
Social Impact of ESG
27–28 November 2025 | Ložionica, Belgrade
Regional conference | CORE Days 2025
beyond profit
Social Impact of ESG
27–28 November 2025 | Ložionica, Belgrade
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About
What are CORE Days?
Join us at the international CORE Days 2025conference, taking place on November 27–28 in Belgrade. The event will explore the social dimension of sustainable business, providing a platform to exchange good practices and build partnerships that foster an inclusive, equitable, and resilient society.
Together we will open a dialogue on how European ESG standards are becoming key drivers of competitiveness, growth, and deeper integration of the Western Balkan economies into the EU market.
Join us for a dynamic program, inspiring talks, and the opportunity to connect with over 200 business and local leaders, representatives of national and European institutions, the international community, academia and civil society from across the region.
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Key Topics
“S” in ESG — the social dimension
The Social Dimension of ESG
Exploring how gender equality, inclusion, and workforce well-being can drive sustainable growth and competitiveness in the Western Balkans.
Key Policies for socially responsible businesses
Examining how policies that boost non-discrimination, support women’s entrepreneurship, ensure fair wages, reduce the pay gap, and strengthen health and safety standards create a more inclusive and competitive business environment.
Well-being at workplace
Highlighting practices that promote flexible work, work–life balance, mental well-being, and supportive corporate cultures that help employees thrive personally and professionally.
Just Transition and CBAM Readiness
Examining the social implications of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and how to ensure a fair, inclusive transition to green technologies.
Social Entrepreneurship
Showcasing how social enterprises and impact-driven business models are reshaping markets, fostering inclusion, and empowering vulnerable groups.
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Program
Best Conference Experience
Please, click on the date to explore what have we prepared for you for each day of the conference.
Registration and Welcome coffee
Opening Ceremony
- Welcome speeches - Award of BFC Certificates to Business - Friendly Cities and Municipalities in the Western Balkans Region - Family photo
H.E. Charlotte Sammelin
Senka Jujić
Vladislav Cvetković
Snežana Paunović
Marash DukajKeynote Addresses- Social Impact of Sustainable Supply Chains
Focus: What is there to gain from more responsible businesses? How businesses adjust internal Policies and Practices to benefit society?
Ernest Vlačić, PhD
Deeba Remheden
Simon FrankoRefreshments & Networking
Panel Discussion: Social Responsibility Dimension of ESGs
Focus: Deep diving in “S” standards- their purpose, benefits and challenges for the companies.
Vladimir Hrle
Marko Dragić
Marko Živković
Slađana Bogosavljev
Beata Fridrich
Nebojša LukačBreak
(Parallel Session) Panel I: National Policies for Socially Responsible Businesses
Focus: Creating enabling environments for social responsibility, aligning reforms and policy solutions with social dimensions of ESG.
Dušan Vasiljević
Matthieu Penot
Olivera Radić
Tamara Bullock
Jelena Žarić Kovačević(Parallel Session) Session II: Social Procurement – Building Inclusive Supply Chains
Focus: Social procurement as a driver of equitable economic development and inclusive hiring.
Oana Voda
Farisa Kardović Kurpejović
Jelena Vlahović
Andrijana Nikolić
Marijana Rilke
Vesna BjelićLunch
Fireside Chat
H.E. Edward Ferguson
Violeta Jovanović(Parallel Session) Panel III: Local level policies boosting social inclusion
Focus: Good examples and challenges from LSG’s on implementing local social inclusion plans and work with business to promote social responsibility;
Antonios Gravanis
Felicitas Siek
Sanda Šimić Senka Jujić
Nikola Dašić
Ervin Muco
Darko Vrhovac(Parallel Session) Panel IV: Social Impact in Agriculture Supply Chains
Focus: Presenting findings on exposure to social risks in crop husbandry supply chain and key challenges and potential for meeting ESG standards in agriculture.
Vladislav Cvetković
Danijela Mirjanić
Tamara Penjić
Milka Nedeljković Emelj Tuna
Miloš StojanovićBreak
Panel Discussion: Climate and Trade Policy - is the region ready for CBAM?
Focus: As January 2026 is the start date of implementation of CBAM regulations- are national level policies in place, are companies ready and what could be the social impact and measures to ensure “Just Transition” to clean technologies.
Marko Muhadinović
Branko Zečević
Slobodan Minić
Uroš Milosavljević
Jovana JoksimovićNetworking Dinner and Award Ceremony Small and Powerful
H.E. Edward Ferguson
Tatjana Macura Violeta Jovanović Nevena VujasinovićCoffee & Networking
Interview: From policy to action (Making the ‘S’ in the ESG Work)
Ernest Vlačić, PhD
Robert Komaromi
Robert RakarBreak
(Parallel Session) Workshop V: Large Companies Empowering Social Entrepreneurs
Focus: Co-creation, inclusive value chains, and partnership-driven impact. Practical tools and collaboration formats.
Irena Đorđević Šušić
Anica Spasov
Stana Đuran
Mara Kasavica
Zvezdana Vuletić Marija Mitrović Bošković Sandra Lazarević Tijana Koprivica(Parallel Session) Panel VI: Towards Well-being at Workplace
Focus: Examples of good practices and measures in corporate governance aimed at flexible work, ensuring work-life balance and improving family planning.
Deeba Remheden
Tina Aničić
Snežana Mrvić
Ivana Pejak
Miroslav Stojković
Jelena TepavčevićRefreshments & Networking
Panel Discussion: Regional Response and Development Cooperation in Improving Competitiveness and Developing Sustainable Businesses
Focus: Aligning financial and technical support and various externally funded regional programs to maximize impact on gender equality, inclusive employment, and local ESG adoption.
Matilde Mordt
Ana Ilić
H.E. Anne Lugon-Moulin
Oliver Sarov
Sonja Konakov SvirčevSide event: Info Day of the Growth4Blue Project
Presentation of the Growth4Blue project. Panel Discussion: Regional Opportunities for Workforce Transformation and Innovation in the Blue Economy Sector
Robert Rakar
Tanja Radusinović
Dragan Pehchevski
Marija Janjić
Ivana KostićClosing Remarks & Priorities for Action
Focus: Key takeaways from two days of dialogue and cooperation; actionable commitments for embedding social responsibility into ESG agendas across the region.
Ana Ilić
Anne-Charlotte MalmFarewell Lunch & Networking
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Program
Best Conference Experience
Please, click on the date to explore what have we prepared for you for each day of the conference.
Registration and Welcome coffee
Opening Ceremony
- Welcome speeches - Award of BFC Certificates to Business - Friendly Cities and Municipalities in the Western Balkans Region - Family photo
H.E. Charlotte Sammelin Senka Jujić Vladislav Cvetković Snežana Paunović Marash DukajKeynote Addresses- Social Impact of Sustainable Supply Chains
Focus: What is there to gain from more responsible businesses? How businesses adjust internal Policies and Practices to benefit society?
Ernest Vlačić, PhD Deeba Remheden Simon FrankoRefreshments & Networking
Panel Discussion: Social Responsibility Dimension of ESGs
Focus: Deep diving in “S” standards- their purpose, benefits and challenges for the companies.
Vladimir Hrle Marko Dragić Marko Živković Slađana Bogosavljev Beata Fridrich Nebojša LukačBreak
(Parallel Session) Panel I: National Policies for Socially Responsible Businesses
Focus: Creating enabling environments for social responsibility, aligning reforms and policy solutions with social dimensions of ESG.
Dušan Vasiljević Matthieu Penot Olivera Radić Tamara Bullock Jelena Žarić Kovačević(Parallel Session) Session II: Social Procurement – Building Inclusive Supply Chains
Focus: Social procurement as a driver of equitable economic development and inclusive hiring.
Oana Voda Farisa Kardović Kurpejović Jelena Vlahović Andrijana Nikolić Marijana Rilke Vesna BjelićLunch
Fireside Chat
H.E. Edward Ferguson Violeta Jovanović(Parallel Session) Panel III: Local level policies boosting social inclusion
Focus: Good examples and challenges from LSG’s on implementing local social inclusion plans and work with business to promote social responsibility;
Antonios Gravanis Felicitas Siek Sanda Šimić Senka Jujić Nikola Dašić Ervin Muco Darko Vrhovac(Parallel Session) Panel IV: Social Impact in Agriculture Supply Chains
Focus: Presenting findings on exposure to social risks in crop husbandry supply chain and key challenges and potential for meeting ESG standards in agriculture.
Vladislav Cvetković Danijela Mirjanić Tamara Penjić Milka Nedeljković Emelj Tuna Miloš StojanovićBreak
Panel Discussion: Climate and Trade Policy - is the region ready for CBAM?
Focus: As January 2026 is the start date of implementation of CBAM regulations- are national level policies in place, are companies ready and what could be the social impact and measures to ensure “Just Transition” to clean technologies.
Marko Muhadinović Branko Zečević Slobodan Minić Uroš Milosavljević Jovana JoksimovićNetworking Dinner and Award Ceremony Small and Powerful
H.E. Edward Ferguson Tatjana Macura Violeta Jovanović Nevena VujasinovićCoffee & Networking
Interview: From policy to action (Making the ‘S’ in the ESG Work)
Ernest Vlačić, PhD Robert Komaromi Robert RakarBreak
(Parallel Session) Workshop V: Large Companies Empowering Social Entrepreneurs
Focus: Co-creation, inclusive value chains, and partnership-driven impact. Practical tools and collaboration formats.
Irena Đorđević Šušić Anica Spasov Stana Đuran Mara Kasavica Zvezdana Vuletić Marija Mitrović Bošković Sandra Lazarević Tijana Koprivica(Parallel Session) Panel VI: Towards Well-being at Workplace
Focus: Examples of good practices and measures in corporate governance aimed at flexible work, ensuring work-life balance and improving family planning.
Deeba Remheden Tina Aničić Snežana Mrvić Ivana Pejak Miroslav Stojković Jelena TepavčevićRefreshments & Networking
Panel Discussion: Regional Response and Development Cooperation in Improving Competitiveness and Developing Sustainable Businesses
Focus: Aligning financial and technical support and various externally funded regional programs to maximize impact on gender equality, inclusive employment, and local ESG adoption.
Matilde Mordt Ana Ilić H.E. Anne Lugon-Moulin Oliver Sarov Sonja Konakov SvirčevSide event: Info Day of the Growth4Blue Project
Presentation of the Growth4Blue project. Panel Discussion: Regional Opportunities for Workforce Transformation and Innovation in the Blue Economy Sector
Robert Rakar Tanja Radusinović Dragan Pehchevski Marija Janjić Ivana KostićClosing Remarks & Priorities for Action
Focus: Key takeaways from two days of dialogue and cooperation; actionable commitments for embedding social responsibility into ESG agendas across the region.
Ana Ilić Anne-Charlotte MalmFarewell Lunch & Networking
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Speakers
Our Experts on ESG and Local Economic Development
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Dragana Marić
Draganais the founder and owner of the Marić Consultation agency.
Đorđe Popović
Đorđe has been in the barber industry for over 10 years.
Nora Hashani
Nora's very passionate, and he's been with us since 2010.
Boštjan Ferk
Boštjan's very passionate, and he's been with us since 2010.
Join Us This November in Belgrade
Experience two days of inspiration, dialogue, and collaboration. From high-level debates and policy exchanges to interactive workshops and the BFC SEE Certificate and “Small and Powerful” award ceremonies, CORE Days 2025 is where ideas become action.
Be part of the movement that puts people at the heart of sustainability.
