Young participants of the Sustainability Starter programme have successfully completed its first phase, which ran from October 6 to November 2 and consisted of eight online sessions with representatives of member companies of the Responsible Business Forum, as well as representatives of Smart Kolektiv. Through examples from different industries and conversations with experts, they explored various aspects of sustainable business practices, as well as the roles, knowledge and skills that can support a career in this field.
In the next phase of the programme, participants will work in teams on the Sustainability Challenge with the support of mentors, visit companies and present their team solutions at the CSR & ESG Forum 2026 on 3 December.
Eight Different Perspectives on Sustainability
The first session was led by Jelena Dragaš, Project Coordinator at the Responsible Business Forum, and Neda Stanković, Programme Lead and Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development at Smart Kolektiv. They discussed why sustainability is not limited to a single profession and how different educational backgrounds and interests can provide a strong foundation for a career in this field.
During the session led by Zvezdana Vuletić, Community Partnerships Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Serbia, participants learned how global sustainability goals are translated into concrete local action. The discussion focused on climate targets, energy and water management, packaging, transport and community engagement, as well as the different roles employees play in contributing to these goals.
Tijana Koprivica, Director of Sustainable Business at Delta Holding and Director of the Delta Foundation, explained how sustainability is integrated into the operations of a large company with activities across different sectors. Through practical examples, participants explored the links between business performance, social impact and environmental responsibility, as well as the role of different business functions in this process.
Milan Stevanović, Supply Chain Sustainability Manager and East Europe ReCon Lead at PepsiCo, spoke about sustainability in supply chains and production. Through business examples, quizzes and practical exercises, he introduced participants to energy and operational efficiency, resource management and projects that bring together technical and business expertise.
The session led by Mina Radović, Sustainability Specialist at Nestlé Adriatic, focused on responsibility across the entire value chain in the food industry. Particular attention was given to packaging, the circular economy and monitoring impacts throughout the supply chain, with an important message that circularity goes far beyond recycling.
Maja Jerkić Bogosavljević, Head of ESG at UniCredit Bank Serbia, presented how ESG principles shape banking operations, risk assessment and the financing of sustainable projects. Participants also learned about regulatory requirements, due diligence processes for clients and projects, and the financial, analytical and risk management skills relevant to these roles.
At the session with Marija Mitrović Bošković, ESG Expert, and Ana Boroš Todić, responsible for CSR Communications at A1 Serbia, the discussion focused on sustainability in the telecommunications sector. Topics included responsible data management, electronic waste, energy efficiency, digital education and business ethics. Participants also received practical career advice: rather than waiting only for job vacancies to be advertised, they can proactively approach companies and communicate their interests and skills.
The series of sessions concluded with Katarina Ruvidić, Sustainable Business Development Specialist, and Strahinja Lazarević, Strategic Planning and ESG Reporting Manager at Elixir Group. Drawing on examples from the manufacturing and chemical industries, they discussed decarbonisation, the circular economy, industrial symbiosis, green investment and cooperation with local communities. The conversation also covered the structure of ESG teams, their day-to-day responsibilities and the different professional backgrounds that can contribute to their work.
Sustainability: A Field for Diverse Professional Backgrounds
These sessions showed participants that sustainability is not the responsibility of a single sector or profession. Engineers, economists and specialists in finance, logistics, marketing, communications, human resources, IT and law, among many other fields, all contribute to advancing sustainability. For the young participants, this was an opportunity to recognise how they can connect their existing knowledge and interests with this field and identify the skills they can continue to develop.
From Learning to Practical Experience
In the next phase of the programme, participants will work in teams on the Sustainability Challenge, supported by mentors Maja Jerkić Bogosavljević (UniCredit Bank Serbia), Biljana Vasiljević (OTP Bank), Mina Radović (Nestlé Adriatic) and Neda Stanković (Smart Kolektiv). Through mentoring, they will develop and refine their ideas, assess them from a business perspective and prepare their presentations. One representative from each team will present the team’s solution at the CSR & ESG Forum 2026 on 3 December.
Participants will also visit Lidl Serbia, UniCredit Bank Serbia, Coca-Cola HBC Serbia, Delta Holding and Nestlé Adriatic. These visits will give them an opportunity to experience the workplace first-hand and talk to employees about their roles and career journeys.
Sustainability Starter is a programme of the Responsible Business Forum that brings together learning, practical work and direct encounters with the business community, helping young people discover how they can use their knowledge and interests to contribute to a more sustainable future.
