Concept
As Serbia and the Western Balkans advance on the path towards the EU membership, aligning corporate governance with EU values and ESG standards is becoming a strategic priority. The EU regulations1 are reshaping expectations of businesses, making it clear that social responsibility– including gender equality, social entrepreneurship and inclusive economic practices – is no longer optional, but a defining element of competitiveness and access to the EU market. For the Western Balkans, where women hold only around 17–20% of board seats and less than 15% of public procurement currently integrates social or environmental criteria, embedding the “S” dimension of ESG into business strategies is both an integration requirement and an economic imperative.
At the same time, important challenges remain. The “S” (Social) dimension of ESG is the least standardized part, yet it is receiving increasing attention as investors, companies, and policymakers are under growing pressure to demonstrate measurable social impact. Globally, over 80% of investors now consider ESG factors in decision-making, but many still flag the lack of clear metrics for social indicators. The key debates revolve around how to measure the “S” effectively, how to avoid “social- washing,” and how to ensure that ESG commitments deliver real improvements in working conditions, inclusion, and community well-being.
Addressing these challenges presents not only a regulatory necessity but also a business opportunity: enhanced workforce engagement and retention, stronger community trust, inclusive growth, and long-term competitiveness. For example, companies that invest in diverse and inclusive practices are 25% more likely to outperform their peers financially, while those engaged in social procurement strengthen local supply chains and resilience.
Building on three successful CORE Days conferences to date, the 2025 Regional CORE Days provides a dynamic platform for businesses, policymakers, and civil society to explore practical solutions to social ESG challenges. The agenda reflects the latest priorities in the region: gender equality, social procurement, municipal ESG implementation, inclusive agriculture, the social impact of CBAM and just transition, social entrepreneurship, peer mentorship, and cultural diplomacy for artisans. Through panels, workshops, and peer exchanges, participants will gain actionable insights to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), workforce well-being, social procurement, and community engagement into corporate and local strategies – creating measurable social impact and inspiring replication across the region.
Conference Objectives
- Raise awareness and practical know-how on the social dimension of ESG — from gender equality, DEI, and workforce well-being to inclusive supply chains and social procurement.
- Spark dialogue among businesses, governments, and communities to align with EU social standards and drive just, inclusive transitions.
- Equip companies and organizations with tools, methodologies, and best practices to adopt inclusive practices, social procurement, and impact-driven partnerships.
- Strengthen regional cooperation by exchanging good practices for sustainable and inclusive growth across the Western Balkans.
- Promote the integration of community engagement, social entrepreneurship, and measurable social impact into corporate and local strategies.
Benefits for Participants
- Gain first-hand insights into EU policies, ESG trends, and approaches to gender equality, workforce well-being, and just transitions.
- Access practical tools and case studies for building inclusive supply chains, social procurement, and partnerships with social enterprises.
- Connect with regional peers, EU partners, financial institutions and donors, opening opportunities for collaboration, market access and access to finance.
- Learn approaches for creating measurable social impact, avoiding “social-washing,”
- Discover innovative models of social entrepreneurship and community engagement that strengthen local resilience and inclusivity.
Contribution to Regional Dialogue and EU Integration
Within the project “Enhancing Competitiveness Through More Effective Public Procurement and Sustainable Supply Chains (ESGs)”, supported by Sweden, CORE Days 2025 builds on the legacy of the past three conferences, firmly positioning the event as a regional hub for dialogue on responsible governance and sustainable economic development. By connecting Serbian, regional, and EU stakeholders, the conference provides a platform to address the most pressing social ESG challenges – from gender equality and inclusive economic practices to social procurement, inclusive supply chains, and community well-being. In doing so, it directly supports Serbia’s and the Western Balkans’ alignment with EU social standards, accelerates the integration of ESG values into business practices, and enhances the region’s competitiveness. Ultimately, CORE Days 2025 contributes to opening the EU market for companies committed to sustainable, inclusive, and measurable growth.