One of the key innovations at this year’s ESG Adria Summit was empowering the youth through the introduction of the NextGen Programme, powered by Sustineri Partners and Universal Capital Bank AD Podgorica. This initiative brought together eight young sustainability leaders from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Serbia. During the three day event, these young leaders had an opportunity to not only attend the ESG Adria Summit but also to meet and learn from government officials, business leaders, and sustainability experts.

NextGen participants had an opportunity to meet Federica Mogherini, Rector of College of Europe, and notably Former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, as well as Biljana Braithwaite, CEO of Sustineri Partners and founder of ESG Adria Summit. They discussed how youth can bridge borders for sustainability and forge a prosperous European future for the region. Furthermore, these young sustainability leaders had a chance to engage with Dunja Mijatović, a Human Rights Expert and former Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, and Nevena Dičić Kostić, Policy and Research Lead at Sustineri Partners. They also met representatives from Universal Capital Bank AD Podgorica, including Miloš Pavlović, President of the Board, Nikola Vujošević, Board Member, Veselin Vuković, Board Member, and Ozana Popović, Head of Marketing Department. They explored strategies for strengthening youth voices in decision-making processes, highlighting the intersection between human rights and business. Additionally, the NextGen participants had the chance to connect with inspiring individuals like Brankica Janković, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality of Serbia, Ivan Šoć, Founder of Five Group, and many others!

"With our NextGen Programme, we aim to empower the generations of the future. They are an essential part of our discussions at the Summit, and we are glad to have had an opportunity to hear their perspectives and youth-centred initiatives on topics that matter most to them”, said Braithwaite.

The long-term vision of the programme is to create a NextGen Alumni Group, enabling our young ambassadors of ESG to become a force for sustainability in their communities and organisations.