15 September 2026 – The introductory online session officially marked the beginning of Transformator 2026, a two-month programme designed for small and medium-sized enterprises and associations looking to improve their business practices through sustainability. This year’s cohort consists of 20 scholarship-supported participants – 17 from Serbia and, for the first time, 3 from Montenegro.
During the introductory session, participants were introduced to the programme, its activities and objectives for the next two months, before presenting themselves and sharing their expectations.
“You have a great opportunity ahead of you to improve your businesses through sustainable models, but also to connect with people and organisations you may collaborate with in the future,” said Neven Marinović, Director of Smart Kolektiv and the Responsible Business Forum.
The inclusion of participants from Montenegro brings an additional dimension to this year’s programme. Đorđo Borović, Head of Business Development at the Union of Employers of Montenegro, the programme’s partner in Montenegro, expressed the expectation that Transformator would contribute to stronger connections and cooperation between businesses and organisations from Serbia and Montenegro.
Marina Mijatović, Managing Director of IT company AngryLynx and last year’s Transformator winner in Serbia, also shared her experience with the new cohort, offering insights from her participation in the programme and wishing the new generation every success.
Over the next two months, participants will take part in a combination of in-person and online workshops, two Bootcamps and mentoring sessions, giving them the opportunity to apply their knowledge to real-life challenges and further develop their ideas and projects. The programme will also provide opportunities for networking and exchange of experience with fellow participants, mentors and relevant community stakeholders, as well as for developing future collaborations.
The first Transformator 2026 Bootcamp will take place in Belgrade on September 22, marking the beginning of the programme’s intensive phase and the new cohort’s joint work.
The programme is part of the regional Sustainable Futures initiative, launched in 2021 by Social Innovation Solutions (SIS) with the support of the Coca-Cola Foundation. Smart Kolektiv is the national partner for Serbia and implements the programme within the Sustainability Academy, while the Montenegrin Employers Federation is the partner for Montenegro.
