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.
Social Procurement
Unlocking the potential of social procurement to create equitable opportunities, strengthen local economies, and promote responsible business practices.
Social Entrepreneurship
Showcasing how social enterprises and impact-driven business models are reshaping markets, fostering inclusion, and empowering vulnerable groups.
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.
Empowering Women
Highlighting initiatives that build confidence, careers, and leadership for women, artisans, and rural communities across the region.
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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
Keynote 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? Business perspective - How to adjust internal Policies and Practices to benefit society?
Refreshments & Networking
Panel Discussion: Social Responsibility Dimension of ESGs
Focus: Deep diving in “S” standards- their purpose, benefits and challenges for the companies.
Break
(Parallel Session) Panel I: National-Level Policies for Socially Responsible Governance
Focus: Creating enabling environments for social responsibility, aligning reforms and policy solutions with social dimensions of ESG.
(Parallel Session) Session II: Social Procurement – Building Inclusive Supply Chains
Focus: Social procurement as a driver of equitable economic development and inclusive hiring.
Lunch
Fireside Chat
(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;
(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.
Break
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.
Networking Dinner and Award Ceremony Small and Powerful
Coffee & Networking
Interview: From policy to action (Making the ‘S’ in the ESG Work)
Break
(Parallel Session) Session V: Large Companies Empowering Social Entrepreneurs (Workshop)
Focus: Co-creation, inclusive value chains, and partnership-driven impact. Practical tools and collaboration formats.
(Parallel Session) Workshop VI: Towards Well-being at Workplace
Examples of good practices and measures in corporate governance aimed at flexible work, ensuring work-life balance and improving family planning.
Refreshments & 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.
Closing 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.
Farewell 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
Keynote 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? Business perspective - How to adjust internal Policies and Practices to benefit society?
Refreshments & Networking
Panel Discussion: Social Responsibility Dimension of ESGs
Focus: Deep diving in “S” standards- their purpose, benefits and challenges for the companies.
Break
(Parallel Session) Panel I: National-Level Policies for Socially Responsible Governance
Focus: Creating enabling environments for social responsibility, aligning reforms and policy solutions with social dimensions of ESG.
(Parallel Session) Session II: Social Procurement – Building Inclusive Supply Chains
Focus: Social procurement as a driver of equitable economic development and inclusive hiring.
Lunch
Fireside Chat
(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;
(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.
Break
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.
Networking Dinner and Award Ceremony Small and Powerful
Coffee & Networking
Interview: From policy to action (Making the ‘S’ in the ESG Work)
Break
(Parallel Session) Session V: Large Companies Empowering Social Entrepreneurs (Workshop)
Focus: Co-creation, inclusive value chains, and partnership-driven impact. Practical tools and collaboration formats.
(Parallel Session) Workshop VI: Towards Well-being at Workplace
Examples of good practices and measures in corporate governance aimed at flexible work, ensuring work-life balance and improving family planning.
Refreshments & 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.
Closing 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.
Farewell 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.
