Meet Leila Nanuk, a passionate architect and advocate for sustainable development and women's empowerment. As a NextGen participant from Croatia, Leila brought her extensive expertise in architecture, design, and sustainability to the ESG Adria Summit, playing a key role in discussions about the future of sustainable construction and community-driven solutions.
Leila's project, "Future Materials in Architecture," showcased at the International Symposium on Environmental Management, introduced innovative approaches to sustainable building. In 2020, her collaboration on the "RE Ecological Camp" project earned her prestigious awards from National Geographic Croatia and the Croatian Green Building Council. Leila is also the president of the second oldest Rotaract club in Zagreb, where she leads charitable initiatives, and the founder of the jewellery line "Nek si," which celebrates women's empowerment.
Reflecting on her experience at the ESG Adria Summit, Leila shared the following remarks:
Attending the ESG Adria Summit in Porto Montenegro from April 24th to 26th, 2024, as part of the NextGen programme was an enlightening and inspiring experience. This summit, organised by Sustineri Partners and Porto Montenegro, in collaboration with the Government of Montenegro and under the auspices of the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, brought together business leaders, high-level government officials, international organisations, civil society representatives, and sustainability experts from the Adria region and beyond.
The event kicked off with my arrival at the airport, where I was warmly welcomed and transported to our accommodations. The briefing session with the organiser team, including Amina Hujdur and Jan Zlatan Kulenović, was particularly engaging. Their professionalism and dedication set the tone for the summit. We had our introductory meeting with Biljana Braithwaite, the CEO and Founding Partner of Sustineri Partners, which has been most pleasant and inspirational.
The first day was rounded off with the registration process and a delightful dinner, where I had the opportunity to engage in quality conversations with other participants. As one of the eight young professionals from different fields and countries selected for the NextGen program, it was an honour to be part of such a distinguished group at the second ESG Adria Summit. The focus of this year’s summit, “Act Now for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” was timely and crucial, addressing the urgent need for sustainable solutions in our region.
The summit’s main program was well-structured, featuring keynotes, panels, and workshops under themes such as Sustainable Finance, Green Transition, and Social Licence to Operate. Jim Coleman's keynote on Cities and Climate Change was particularly impactful, providing valuable insights into the role of urban planning in combating climate change. The session on Smart Cities and Green Transition, in collaboration with NALED, offered practical solutions for shaping a sustainable urban future. The discussions on sustainable tourism, AI-powered sustainability, and cross-border solutions for advancing the circular economy were equally enriching.
A notable mention goes to the thematic panels in the Teodo Ballroom, especially the discussions on the Green Asset Ratio and its implications for ESG reporting. The insights shared were practical and directly applicable to our work in promoting sustainable business practices.
Besides the main program, the NextGen participants had ample opportunities to meet inspiring individuals like Dunja Mijatović. The networking opportunities were abundant, and the organisers ensured that we were well taken care of throughout the summit. The Adria Party was a perfect conclusion to the event, allowing us to unwind and celebrate our shared commitment to sustainability.
The NextGen programme brought together eight young sustainability leaders from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Serbia, to the ESG Adria Summit. 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 met with prominent figures, including Federica Mogherini, Biljana Braithwaite, Dunja Mijatović, Nevena Dičić Kostić, and key representatives from Universal Capital Bank AD Podgorica, to discuss youth's role in bridging borders for sustainability and shaping a prosperous European future.
The NextGen Programme is powered by Sustineri Partners and Universal Capital Bank AD Podgorica.
More information on the NextGen initiative can be found here.
