Opening the event, Jana Repanšek, CEF Director, welcomed participants by reminding them that the conference served not only as a forum for reflection but as a “working space for action,” where participants were invited to move “beyond what should be done to what can be done together.” She highlighted the importance of connecting across boundaries and taking small, coordinated steps that can lead to profound institutional transformation. Drawing inspiration from both the late Jane Goodall and the example of the National Bank of Moldova, she underlined that real change begins with humility, persistence, and collaboration: “Ambition in the green transition without collaboration is just aspiration.”

Echoing this message, Uroš Vajgl, State Secretary at the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy, emphasized the vital role of institutional cooperation and collective learning in driving lasting transformation: ''CEF remains the most consistent and reliable provider of development aid in Slovenia. We want to ensure that the aid available across the region is put to good use – that’s why we focus on capacity development. Only through building strong institutions can development efforts truly take root. Global initiatives show that collective action works – and that’s why the Paris Agreement is so essential."

In her keynote address, Jerneja Jug Jerše, Head of the European Commission Representation in Slovenia, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting the region’s sustainable transformation. She stressed that “climate change is not a distant threat - it is a present reality” and called for bold, inclusive partnerships to deliver on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. Linking climate commitments to EU accession, she said, “progress on the Green Agenda is progress toward EU membership.” She emphasized that governments cannot achieve the green transition alone: “Public–private partnerships are not just mechanisms - they are catalysts. They unlock resources, accelerate innovation, and create shared ownership of the green future we all seek.”

Cross-sector discussions revealed that the success of climate action relies on political will, local capacity, and personal ownership. Stakeholders shared examples such as the Drina Core Group and ICLEI’s Danube projects, demonstrating how dialogue, trust, and coordination across borders can translate into tangible results. Participants highlighted that disinformation, populism, and fragmented municipal voices remain challenges, but collaboration and knowledge-sharing can overcome barriers.

Private sector leaders stressed the importance of being embedded in policymaking from the outset to maximize impact. They highlighted that streamlined procedures, supportive regulatory frameworks, and cross-border cooperation are essential to scale initiatives and turn commitments into measurable outcomes.

The conference was organized as part of the “Greening Human Capital of Public Institutions of the Western Balkans” project, supported by the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy of Slovenia and the Climate Change Fund of Slovenia. The event was 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.