We’ve extended two of our business resilience programs for MSMEs to Slovenia
Empowering our growth locally through standout partners: Circular Change and Infinite Pure Solutions
MSMEs in Slovenia now have access to a market tested and proven self-paced e-learning platform that aims to cover all the local business resilience and sustainability needs. The platform, called The Sustainability Academy, was launched in 2023 in Romania and starting 2024 in Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia by Social Innovation Solutions with the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation as the Founding Partner.
In the first two years since its launch, more than 17.000 CEE SMEs registered on the platform. Starting today, following a coordinated regional investment in content development, marketing and local partnerships, the Academy becomes available to Slovenian MSMEs, in the local language.
This expansion of the platform comes as a result of an ever-increasing demand from companies to adopt business resilience and sustainability practices in order to better respond to geopolitical and market changes and to strengthen their long-term competitiveness.
“For the past 5 years we have seen entrepreneurs becoming more interested in the relationship between sustainability-derived concepts and the future of their business. Our experience in Romania and the feedback from local partners in Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia gives us strong reasons to believe that The Sustainability Academy will quickly become the go-to resource for this important piece of knowledge in Slovenia too.” said Ciprian Stănescu, President of Social Innovation Solutions.
The Sustainability Academy features 2 main courses this year and it will expand its resources gradually and according to the specific local business needs.
“In Slovenia, there is already a considerable amount of educational content available in the field of sustainable business, primarily targeting experts”, said Ladeja Godina Košir, Founder and Director of Circular Change. She added that changes in business practices affect everyone, especially micro and small entrepreneurs, NGOs, and creatives — these are the core of the economy. “The Sustainability Academy has already proven across four markets that its format is effective and its content valuable. It is intended for those who seek concrete, practical, and local content — the kind that can be immediately applied in practice and that will help ensure the longevity and profitability of their business.”
The first course is “Introduction in Sustainability” and the main benefit for the MSMEs that finish it is that they will be able to build their first sustainability strategy based on the accumulated know-how and the documents and templates provided.
The second course will be focusing on “Sustainability in the HoReCa industry”. This is the first in a series of courses developed around certain key industries and takes a deeper dive into the specific needs of HoReCa MSMEs, promotes relevant local study cases and offers curated information based on key experts’ insights, local and international.
The Sustainability Academy in Slovenia, available at www.akademija-za-trajnost.si, is part of a larger regional Program called “Sustainable Futures” which aims to prepare MSMEs for key future challenges. Besides the Academy, MSMEs will have the possibility to join “TRANSFORMATOR”, a 10 week intensive transformative program that assists them in building their capacity and helps them develop their own business transformation plans. Applications are open today and interested parties can get informed and apply at www.transformator.global/slovenia.
TRANSFORMATOR will start in September and will close in November with a regional MSME event in Bucharest, Romania where participants from 5 countries will have the chance to pitch their plans and receive financial prizes.
"We are excited about the Sustainable Futures program, that enables MSMSs in the Slovenian market to have access to knowledge and meaningful networks. We believe that programs such as this, contribute valuable educational resources and partnerships to facilitate companies and achieve a more sustainable future for all, and we are pleased to contribute towards this success." concludes Carlos Pagoaga, President, The Coca-Cola Foundation.
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About The Coca-Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Foundation’s mission is to make a difference in communities around the world where The Coca-Cola Company operates and where our employees live and work. We support transformative ideas and institutions that address complex global challenges and that leave a measurable and lasting impact. Our giving is focused on sustainable access to safe water, climate resilience and disaster risk preparedness and response, circular economy, economic empowerment, and causes impacting our hometown community. Since its inception in 1984 until 2023, The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded grants of over $1.6 billion in service of its mandate to strengthen communities across the world.
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About Circular Change
Circular Change is an internationally recognized “think-do-tank”. Since 2016, their focus has been on the circular economy — they apply a systemic approach and connect business, policy, and the creative industries through strategic projects, education, conferences, and international partnerships. For seven years, they have been co-chairing the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) in Brussels. They are active in over 30 countries and participate in numerous committees and juries. Among the awards their highlights are: finalists for The Circular Leadership Award (2018 Davos WEF), #EUwomen4future (2020), and the Elle Green Style Award (2024).
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About Infinite Pure Solutions
Infinite Pure Solutions offers simple, clear, and effective sustainability solutions for companies aiming to achieve climate neutrality. Their services include carbon footprint calculations for companies, products, or events, life cycle assessments (LCA), social impact assessments, and support in sustainability reporting in line with the CSRD directive and ESRS standards. In addition, they assist companies in setting and achieving sustainability goals and offer solutions for reducing and offsetting carbon footprints.