As the global urgency for sustainable development intensifies, countries are increasingly adopting measures to address climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and social inequality. Yet, transforming these policies into real and impactful action remains a challenge. Institutions play a crucial role in leading this change, but they cannot do it alone. Through partnerships, cooperation, and shared learning, progress can be accelerated and sustained.

Throughout the event, participants will exchange experiences and explore practical ways to enhance cross-sectoral and cross-border collaboration, mobilize investment for sustainable projects, and strengthen institutional and human capacity for effective policymaking. The discussions will emphasize the importance of learning and innovation within public institutions, ensuring that internal capacities are aligned with external sustainability goals.

The first panel, “Policies towards Actions: Aligning Efforts of Public Stakeholders on International and National Levels,” will explore how national green strategies can align with international frameworks such as the EU Green Deal, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. Speakers include Uroš Vajgl, State Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy of Slovenia; Zvjezdan Vujović, Acting General Director, Directorate for Power Engineering, Ministry of Energy of Montenegro; Venhar Nushi, Office of the Prime Minister, Kosovo; and Nina Mia Čikeš, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.

The second panel, “Co-Creating Sustainable Solutions: Finding Synergies for Public-Private Partnerships,” will highlight how collaboration between public institutions and the private sector can unlock innovation and investment for sustainable change. Speakers include Žiga Vavpotič, President, Slovenian Chinese Business Council; Ivana Nedižavec Korada, Deputy Director, CEF; Milena Mijajlović, Head of Division for Planning of Northern Region Development, Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Region Development, Montenegro; Til Rozman, Head of the Division for Quality of Regulations and Development Planning, Ministry of Public Administration of Slovenia; and Siniša Borota, Program Manager, Institute for Development and Innovation, Serbia.

The third panel, “Driving Change Together: Engaging and Enabling People for Action,” will focus on leadership and human capital as key enablers of the green transition, exploring how people can be inspired and empowered to drive change within their institutions and communities. Speakers include Ana Mitreska, Vice Governor, National Bank of North Macedonia; Olesea Cobzari, Deputy Director, Department of Strategy, Organization and Human Resources, National Bank of Moldova; Stephen Gianotti, Founder, Woodland Group and TEDx Speaker; Hristina Velkovska, Director, Vita Institut, North Macedonia; and Jana Repanšek, Director, CEF.

Overall, the panel discussions will provide participants with insights from high-level decision-makers, regional leaders, and international experts, fostering dialogue on policy alignment, public-private partnerships, and leadership in driving the green transition. The conference will combine strategic discussion with practical insights, equipping participants with knowledge and tools to advance sustainability within their institutions and communities. We look forward to engaging discussions, meaningful exchanges, and new partnerships that will help translate policy ambition into real, green impact.

The conference will take place on October 15–16 in Ljubljana. It is organized as part of the Greening Human Capital of Public Institutions of the Western Balkans project, implemented by the CEF and supported by the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy of Slovenia and the Climate Change Fund of Slovenia. The event is also supported through the NBM LearnOrgLab project that is financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia through Slovenia Aid, the Ministry of Finance of Slovenia, and the Constituency Program of the Ministry of Finance, the Netherlands.