15 – 16 December 2022 • hybrid
10:00h – 18:00h
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Resavska 15
Become part of the Balkan circular network and find out in which ways you can improve your business, become competitive on the European market and ensure the development of your company. More than 40 participants of the international conference will talk about the current situation in the Balkans, about systemic solutions for systemic challenges, current regulations and the power of international collaboration. See you at Balkans Go Circular!
and cooperation between local governments and the private sector?
1and social challenges in the Balkan region through circular economy?
2for circular cities in the Balkan region?
3and challenges in circular economy in the Balkans?
4BALKANS GO CIRCULAR
Balkans Go Circular is an international conference where the biggest experts in the field of circular economy and other relevant stakeholders from the academic sector, business world and public institutions will present systemic solutions for systemic challenges that the entire Balkan region and the world are currently facing.
Participants and the audience from studios in Belgrade, Athens, Sofia, Sarajevo, Timișoara and Podgorica will share the exchange the latest information in the field of circular economy and map the biggest challenges that Balkan countries are currently facing, as well offer solutions for systemic improvements.
Managing Director at CETEOR, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Vedad has more than 13 years of experience analysing various energy and environmental-related projects. He graduated from the School of Economics and Business Sarajevo and completed the Specialist study “Environmental Municipal Infrastructure” at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering to deepen his knowledge of energy and environmental-related issues at a local level.
Executive Director of Bulgarian Construction Chamber
Mr. Nikolov has vast expertise in management, commerce, and construction of industrial, residential, public, and infrastructural projects. Mr. Nikolov has extensive professional experience in both the public and the private sector. He holds degrees in „Trade“ and „Economic Journalism“ from the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria. Since 2019, Mr. Nikolov serves as Executive Director of the Bulgarian Construction Chamber and since 2021 acts as a President of the Steering Committee of Digital innovation Hub in construction.
Head of the Center for Circular Economy, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia
Moderator Siniša Mitrović is Head of the Center for Circular Economy CCI Serbia. He is an environmental analyst and passionate naturalist dedicated to preserving the natural capital of Serbia and the Balkans.
Professor at Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) and Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Prof. Phoebe Koundouri is a world-renowned environmental economics professor and global leader in sustainable development. She is widely recognized as a pioneer in innovative, human-centric, interdisciplinary systems for the sustainable interaction between nature, society, and the economy.
Professor at the Faculty of Political Science, University in Belgrade
Prof. Dr. Darko Nadić is a professor of Social and Political Ecology, as well as Environmental Policy of the European Union at the Faculty of Political Science of the University of Belgrade. He is the co-director of the master's program in Environmental Policy at the same faculty, where he teaches Environmental Policy of Serbia and Contemporary Environmental Policy.
Professor at the Civil Engineering Department, University of Thessaly, Greece
Chrysi Laspidou is a Professor at the Civil Engineering Department, University of Thessaly in Greece. She is the Vice-President of Research and Technology at Water Europe and a member of the Steering Committee of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Knowledge Action Network at Future Earth. She is the Chair of the COST Action NEXUSNET and the coordinator of the H2020 project ARSINOE.
Director General of the Directorate for Enhancing Competitiveness, Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism
Olivera Vukajlović is Acting Head of Directorate of Competitiveness Enhancement in Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism of Montenegro. She gained work experience in the financial sector, through various positions in banking.
Director, Regional Network, SME Finance & Development, EBRD
Nadia Petkova has over 20 years of professional experience in banking, portfolio management and financial analysis. Having spent 20 years at EBRD, she assumed responsibility of the management of the SME Finance and Development regional network in 2017, covering all SME-related advisory and finance activities in all EBRD’s countries of operation. Previously Nadia led the agribusiness activities in Turkey and the Caucasus.
Western Balkan Regional Coordinator for Policy Dialog and Stakeholders Relations, SME Finance & Development, EBRD
Aleksandra Miladinović has over 15 years of professional experience with focus on SME development and growth through advisory, supporting local economy in close cooperation with different donors and stakeholders. Since 2019, Aleksandra has been managing EBRD advisory team and activities in Serbia.
Principal Climate Strategy Delivery for Western Balkans, EBRD
In her current position, Milena is involved in delivery of sustainable and green economy solutions in the Western Balkans. During 20 years of professional engagement she gained deep understanding of private sector business strategy development and implementation, turnarounds, M&A, as well as policy development.
Founder and Director of CirEkon
M.Sc. Industrial ecology Milan Veselinov has been professionally engaged in the circular economy in Serbia since he returned from the Netherlands. He aimed to help responsible companies in the transition to a sustainable business, by creating knowledge, spreading knowledge, and facilitating the creation of enabling conditions for such business.
Director of the Division for Strategic Analyses, Services and Internationalization, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia
Mihailo Vesović was a Secretary of the CCIS Association of Metal and Electric Power Industry, after which he was appointed to the position of Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Economy and Privatization, and in the Ministry of Trade and Services. In 2008, he was elected CCIS Vice President, for two terms of office, where his main focus were international economic relations.
Executive Director of Bulgarian Association of Recycling
Ms. Maria Palakarkina is graduated in Management of European programs and projects. She is executive director of Bulgarian Association of Recycling and a long-time expert in the field of environmental protection, recycling and circular economy. Her expertise in coordinating and managing processes, work plans, conducting studies and evaluating data in the field of sustainable recycling is valuable for the Association.
Project Coordinator in UNDP BiH
Mr. Ismar Ćeremida has more than 20 years of experience in corporate and investment banking and private sector development. The experience in investment banking was catalyst to engage more in the grass roots entrepreneurship, private sector development, business innovation and Circular Economy.
Ecosystem Developer for Southern Europe, EIT Climate-KIC
Ignacio is an expert in leadership and business strategy development with a special focus on innovation and climate change to catalyze systemic transformation. He has worked for private companies in their internationalization strategy by setting up different branches in EEUU, Belgium, Portugal, Brazil, and Spain and has worked as well for public institutions such as the Chamber of Commerce of Castellón or the Valencian Regional Government in Brussels.
Circular Activist | Speaker | Entrepreneur | Mentor | Advisor
Harald Friedl practiced circular economy, sustainability and business for over 10 years and is now an active innovator who drives growth and circularity in his clients companies. Not simply a theory guy, Harald teaches what he knows from experience and is passionate about sharing his expertise with today’s most dynamic business leaders.
Expert on Competitiveness, Regional Cooperation Council
Evisi has worked as the economic advisor to the Minister of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship of Albania; Director of European Integration and Projects at the Ministry of Tourism and Environment; has acted as the National Coordinator for the Small Business Act for Europe and as national contact point for EU’s COSME Programme. She has been working as policy researcher with various think-tanks focusing on the socio-economic dimensions of European Integration process and as lecturer of finance courses in Eastern Mediterranean University, University of Tirana-Faculty of Economics, University of New York Tirana and Canadian Institute of Technology.
Head of Project Office at University of Montenegro
Dr. Srna Sudar is experienced leader and trained environmental/sustainability expert with 28 years of hands-on knowledge on driving excellent external relations with governments, private sector, NGOs and international organisations. She possesses strong managerial and consultancy skills in environmental management and sustainable development, coupled with decades of leadership positions and office management.
Chief Executive Officer, EIT Climate-KIC
Kirsten heads the organisation leading the implementation of the European Union’s Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities as the Chief Executive Officer at EIT Climate-KIC, Europe’s foremost climate innovation initiative.
Kirsten’s career spans consulting, banking, insurance, strategy, design, innovation and leadership and academia.
Director for Circular Cities & Regions, Circular Economy Forum Austria
In order to understand the holistic philosophy of structural engineering and architecture, she deals intensively with Physics, Philosophy, Sociology, System Theory and Psychology, mostly to explore the reasoning of designers.
Together with her many fellow campaigners, she can therefore look back on an intensive track record.
Assistant Professor at Educons University Sremska Kamenica, Serbia
Teacher of economics, specialist in macroeconomy, labour market in EU and Serbia, 3 years ago started research in field of sustainable development (eco-labeling, green curricular at universities, smart cities) and circular economy. She will teach CE in Faculty of Ecological Agriculture at Educons University on new program accredited 2 years ago. 5 research papers in the field of SD. Her monografie ,,Employment in CE sectors of EU" is in the printing process.
Founding President of the Ernest Lupan Institute for Circular Economy and Environment (IRCEM)
Dr Elena–Simina Lakatos is co-found member and president of the Institute for Circular Economy and Environment "Ernest Lupan" (IRCEM) since 2012. Simina’s background is Material Science MEng (2010) and has a Bachelor in Economy (2007), achieving a PhD Degree in Engineering and Management (2011).
Co-Founder, Chief Policy and Impact Officer, Sporos Platform, Greece
Andrei Geica is the Co-Founder and Partner responsible for Impact and EU Public Policy in Sporos Platform, the first Impact Investment Fund focused on Circular Economy in South-East Europe.
Founder of "Eko Korijen" publishing & consulting
Andjela Boskovic is an environmental communication consultant for green NGOs and SMEs and the founder of Eko Korijen Llc. publishing and consulting. She holds a Master's degree in Political Science (field: Environmental policy) from the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Belgrade and a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Montenegro.
Project Coordinator in UNDP Serbia
Ana is a licensed architect and urban planning professional form Serbia, with M.Sc. degree in International Cooperation and Urban Development (Technical University Darmstadt, Germany) and MA in Development Economics and International Co-operation (University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, Italy).
Head of Group for Circular and Green Economy in Ministry of Environmental Protection of Republic of Serbia
She performed various jobs in the Department of Waste Management and the Department of Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control. Due to her long-term commitment to supporting sustainable development policies, since 2018 she has been Head of the Circular and Green Economy Department.
BALKANS GO CIRCULAR
Place where you can:
During two days of rich program, through 4 panels, 2 workshops and 6 presentations by keynote speakers and by presenting more than 20 successful examples from practice, that will provide answers to present-day questions. Select date and learn about the themes and speakers.
Milan Veselinov
Nadia Petkova
Keynote speaker:
Dr Kirsten Dunlop, Chief Executive Officer, EIT Climate-KIC
Dr. Kirsten Dunlop
-Current situation in the region -
Join us at our opening panel and let’s discuss the current situation in the region.
We will go throw deep scanning of circularity in the Balkans with:
The panel will be moderated by: Siniša Mitrović, Head of the Center for Circular Economy of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce
The prosperous speakers will "take the stage" to present answers to the following questions:
Balkans Go Circular offers answers!
Olivera Vukajlović
Vedad Suljić
Mihailo Vesović
Aleksandra Vučinić
Siniša Mitrović
The best business practices
Nikola Stanojević
Hanadi Džabić
Pavle Milošević
Marko Mihailović
For case studies
Use the opportunity to learn from the best
Lecturer: Ignacio Chanzá, Ecosystem Developer for Southern Europe, EIT Climate-KIC
Ignacio Chanza
The best business practices
Nikos Therapos
Dr Aida Szilagyi
Francesca Montevecchi
for case studies
Keynote speaker:
Prof. Phoebe Koundouri, Professor at Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) and Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Director Sustainable Development Unit & EIT Climate-KIC Hub Greece, Athena RC, President EAERE
Prof. Phoebe Koundouri
Why is important to have an opportunity to learn about circular economy, to communicate “circularity” and to collaborate in creating a circular world – find out in our second panel from distinguished experts:
During this interesting panel we will discuss:
Balkans Go Circular offers answers!
Ana Mitić-Radulović
Prof. dr Darko Nadić
Milan Veselinov
Anđela Bošković
Dr Simonida Vukadinović
Keynote speaker:
Ismar Ćeremida, UNDP BiH
Ismar Ćeremida
Keynote speaker:
Dr. Elena Simina Lakatos, Founding President of the Ernest Lupan Institute for Circular Economy and Environment (IRCEM)
Dr Elena Simina Lakatos
Resilience through change management for circularity
The best business practices
Aleksandra Lazović-Lonnigen
Branislava Grubor
Maja Halilović
Zejneba Burajić
For case studies
Promo video
Keynote speaker:
Valentin Nikolov, Executive Director of Bulgarian Construction Chamber
Valentin Nikolov
Afternoon sessions announcements
Keynote speaker:
Harald Friedl, Circular Activist • Speaker • Entrepreneur • Mentor • Advisor
Harald Friedl
We will discuss about complex system thinking for complex problem solving with relevant experts:
The panel will be moderated by: Cristina Badulescu, Coordinator of EIT Climate KIC Romania Hub
Balkans Go Circular will offer answers to following questions:
Ismar Ćeremida
Prof. Chrysi Laspidou
Dr. Anna-Vera Deinhammer
Dr. Srna Sudar
Cristina Badulescu
Maria Palakarkina
Announcement of MoU and signing
Keynote speaker:
Aleksandra Miladinović, Western Balkan Regional Coordinator for Policy Dialog and Stakeholders Relations, SME Finance & Development, EBRD
Ms Aleksandra Miladinović
Learn from the best:
The panel will be moderated by: Milan Veselinov, Founder and Director of CirEkon
Balkans Go Circular will tackle the following questions:
Andrei Geica
Milan Veselinov
Ignacio Chanza
Francesca Montevecchi
Ms Aleksandra Miladinović
Evisi Kopliku
Milena Popović Martinelli
Highlights and conclusions
Closing ceremony
The consortium consisting of the Center for Circular Economy CirEkon d.o.o. (Serbia), Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, Timis Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (Romania), Cleantech Bulgaria, Athena Research and Innovation Center (Greece), Wuppertal Institute of Climate, Environment and Energy (Germany), Regional Education and Information Center for Sustainable Development in South-East Europe REIC (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro joined forces in 2020 to promote the circular economy model in the Balkans through education trainings, research, information distribution, implementation of the circular economy model and cooperation.
Circular Economy Balkan Beacons Project is supported by EIT Climate-KIC Co-funded by the EU and aims to prepare companies for coming systemic circular economy implementation.
During the implementation of the project activities, we attracted over 1500 visitors at our accompanying events, and achieved successful cooperation with over 20 cities of the region, 7 competent ministries and 10 companies.
The main goal of cooperation is to support small and medium-sized enterprises, cities and future circular innovators from the Balkan countries to further inform themselves on the topic of circular economy, educate them and prepare them to welcome the process of transition to a new business model, which, in fact, may be the only guarantee of survival and competitiveness on the foreign market.
We have already successfully organized The Balkans Go Circular conference, where at the end of 2020 we were among the first in the region to bring the topic of the circular economy closer to the public from the region.
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