ESG – Beyond Compliance for Stronger Communities
How ESG principles go beyond regulatory obligations and evolve into concrete practices that strengthen communities, improve business operations, and generate measurable social benefits will be the focus of the CSR & ESG Forum, held on December 4 for the 16th time, organized by the Responsible Business Forum and Smart Kolektiv.
Under the slogan “ESG – Beyond Compliance for Stronger Communities”, the event will bring together representatives of companies, institutions, and international organizations that shape the direction of sustainable business in Serbia and the region. The conference will feature two panel discussions dedicated to strengthening the domestic economy through collaboration between social enterprises and responsible suppliers, as well as the application of European ESG regulations and their implications for companies operating in Serbia.
The panel “Creating Social Impact Through Collaboration: Buy Social in Practice” is designed for companies that develop cooperation programs with social enterprises, impact businesses, and local suppliers, with the aim of demonstrating how “impact purchasing” contributes to local economic growth and enhances the social impact of business. The discussion will include case studies from major companies that work with socially responsible suppliers, insights from foundations and banks providing financial support, experiences of social enterprises partnering with corporate clients, as well as international perspectives. The panel will highlight concrete examples of successful collaboration—from strategic procurement programs involving social enterprises, through the creation of sustainable value chains, to contributions to local development through “impact purchasing” models.
The panel “ESG, Regulation, and Opportunities for Responsible Business” will bring together domestic and international experts in sustainable finance, reporting, and the implementation of European ESG standards. Its goal is to show how regulatory changes translate into concrete business opportunities, support mechanisms, and tools for responsible business through dialogue between institutions, companies, and financial organizations. The discussion will feature an overview of European ESG trends and regulations, perspectives from companies and consultants already applying new practices, institutional support for the transition and green investments, as well as practical recommendations for the business sector.
A special segment of the conference will be dedicated to young participants of the Sustainability Starter program, who will present their practical solutions and responses to sustainability challenges assigned by mentors. The conference will traditionally conclude with the presentation of awards recognizing companies, leaders, and initiatives with the greatest social, environmental, and inclusive impact.
The CSR&ESG Forum is organized by Smart Kolektiv and the Responsible Business Forum within the project “Resilient Communities: Nurturing Social Enterprises for Local Development” implemented by Smart Kolektiv in partnership with Evrokontakt Kruševac and the Kolping Society of Serbia, with the financial support of the European Union. This year, the Forum is also supported by of the SIDRO Foundation and supported through the project “Enhancing competitiveness through more effective public procurement and sustainable supply chains (ESGs)”, financed by Sweden and implemented by NALED. The friends of the conference are Coca-Cola HBC, Elixir Group, Lidl, and Delhaize through the “Buy For Good” line of social enterprise products. The media partners of the event are CorD, BizLife, Održi me, Nova ekonomija, Bonitet, Diplomacy & Commerce, InStore, and Daily Green.
