In August 2023, CEA, together with Norwegian partners NHO
(Norwegian Confederation of Business and Industry), launched the project
"ESG Forum – Fuel for Future", with the financial support of the
Norwegian Financial Mechanism.
The goal of the project was multiple, with an initial
emphasis on raising and developing the capacities of CEA itself in the field of
ESG. This was primarily achieved through a study trip of CEA employees to
Norway and education in the field of application of ESG methodology and
business, as well as in the field of the legal system and regulations in this
area. An insight into the application of best practices was obtained, and in
practical terms, the transfer of knowledge was achieved, both from Norwegian institutions
and specific companies with live practices in the field of ESG.
The secondary, but also the largest, part of the project was
realized through the dissemination of the acquired knowledge in combination
with the already existing capacities of the CEA in this area. This
dissemination was carried out through the following activities:
1.
Two central conferences (opening and closing)
held in Zagreb, with renowned guests and speakers from the field of economy,
non-governmental organizations, public institutions. At both conferences,
project partners from Norway also provided a visible and valuable contribution.
2.
5 regional workshops with concrete knowledge
transfer in Osijek, Rijeka, Split, Varaždin and Zagreb. Unlike the umbrella
conferences, these workshops were even more practical, with an emphasis on
representatives of the regional economy who gave a clear overview of the
opportunities, risks and needs that ESG requires from companies today, and even
more so in the coming period
3.
Individual consulting – in order to specify the
needs of individual companies in the context of ESG business requirements,
individual consultations were provided to interested companies in the context
of their fit into the EU taxonomy, possible sources of financing, etc.
Over 750 companies participated in workshops and
conferences, the capacities of our ESG department were further strengthened and
upgraded, and in this way the knowledge and practice acquired during this
project becomes a permanent capacity of CEA, and especially our ESG department.
CEA had a strong team in charge of its implementation in the
project:
·
Nataša Novaković, Director of the ESG Department
·
Petra Sentić, director of branch associations
(Association of Professionals for EU Funds; Energy Association)
·
Maja Malić, advisor at the Croatian Association
of Food Industry and Agriculture; Advisor for OR and CSR
·
Hrvoje Stojić, Chief Economist
· Marko Jurčić, Director of the Department for EU
Policies and International
