Green transition and digital transformation hold the highest positions in companies' business plans and in the development agendas of countries worldwide. More than 4,000 companies and 70 countries have set net-zero goals. The recent pandemic has strongly accelerated the digitalization process, and digitalization significantly facilitates and speeds up the green transition. Considering that Serbian small and medium-sized enterprises – the largest employer in the country – are part of the value chains of European and global companies leading in green transition and digital transformation, the strategic importance of successfully implementing these processes for the Serbian economy is unquestionable.
This is precisely why the Centre for Advanced Economic Studies (CEVES) and the FEFA Faculty organized the summer school „Green Transition and Digital Transformation“ in Belgrade at the beginning of September for the next generation of leaders in the SME sector. More than 20 young people from all over Serbia, employed in leadership positions in small and medium-sized enterprises, or with the potential to take on leadership positions, learned from prominent experts from the economy and professors from the FEFA Faculty during three days of an intensive program filled with practical examples.
The goal of this three-day training was to connect future change-makers, strengthen their skills for company development, and introduce them to the trends shaping the future of the economy and business.
Within two thematic units – green transition and digital transformation – participants were presented with topics such as data and sustainability, sustainable business models and circular economy, socially responsible people management, sustainable finance, digital economy, creating a digital transformation strategy, designing business innovations, and understanding consumers.
The participants' impression of the program is that after receiving concrete and practical examples, they are better prepared for the processes that are becoming a priority in companies' strategies and countries' development agendas worldwide.
“This is the first time I have participated in organizing this type of event. It is a great opportunity to connect with people from other industries, which can simultaneously result not only in new partnerships but also in expanding our knowledge and inspiring further development. Certainly, the topic itself, which involves digital transformation, or rather green transition, is our present, and especially the future, so it is important to initiate thinking and adaptation to new trends as soon as possible.”, said Marija Minović, one of the Summer School participants.
Speaking about green transition and digital transformation, the chief economist and president of the CEVES Management Board, Kori Udovički, stated that „the world is undergoing a major restructuring. Although most people see these two trends as a challenge, they are truly an opportunity, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, which should be at the center of attention for policies, but they are not.“ According to her, to achieve economic competitiveness in the global race, it is essential to place the SME sector at the center of attention.
As part of the Summer School program, participants also engaged in group work with mentors on a case study, and the winning team will present its solution at the event „SME100 Expo 2023 People Development ↔ SME Development“ at the beginning of November.
