Side & Community Events

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BUSINESS IMPACT DAY - OCTOBER 22

Masterclass

ZEWA: Transforming waste into business opportunities

Transforming Waste into Business Opportunities is a hands-on masterclass that guides participants through a structured journey from problem to market, using design, science, and technology to convert waste streams into viable products and business models.

Carolina Angeli Silva

CEO &Co-Founder | PLAT Institute

Nacho de Juan Creix

Founder Plat Institute

Private Event
Community event

Science-Driven Climate Policy: Negotiation, Equity, and Net Zero

Annela Anger‑Kraavi will join the European Economic Integration course for an interactive discussion with students on how scientific evidence bridges into policy, drawing lessons from global climate negotiations and current UNFCCC processes. She will address the role of evidence in shaping climate agreements, the practical challenges and opportunities within multilateral negotiations, and the policy pathways that can drive economies to net zero and beyond—highlighting trade‑offs, competitiveness, and equity in the European context.

Annela Anger-Kraavi

Chief Executive of the Cambridge Trust for New Thinking in Economics

Private Event
Community event

Designing Sustainable Cities for a Changing Climate

Presentation & Debate: Designing Sustainable Cities for a Changing Climate brings together students from ASE and UTCB with Azadeh Farajpour Javazmi , Founder & CEO Better Soil, for a dynamic exchange on how cities can adapt and decarbonize amid climate risks.

Azadeh Farajpour Javazmi

Founder of “betterSoil – for a better world”

Private Event
Community event

Social Inclusion in Climate Transition

Amelia Kraij Lopez Huix, United Nations advisor, will be discussing how women, equity and empowerment shape the climate transition, focusing on how gender-inclusive leadership impacts the fight against climate change. She will also address climate solutions that uplift vulnerable communities, and how we should design climate projects with social impact at the core.

Amelia Kraij Lopez Huix

Owner and General Partner of MCI Partners

Side Event

Leadership for a Sustainable Future

Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera, founder and president of Forum Energii, will be talking about energy transition in Central and Eastern Europe, touching on energy security and competitiveness. She will be discussing investment and innovation for the Green Transition, focusing on leadership and collaboration for a sustainable future, with perspectives for Romania and the Region.

Joanna Pandera

Founder and President of Forum Energii

SMART CITIES AND DEMOCRACY DAY - OCTOBER 23

Community event

Sustainable Cities- connecting civic actions to sustainable urban planning in Bucharest

This event brings together citizens and young changemakers to showcase civic initiatives that target climate action and smart city development. Participants will explore sustainable and innovative solutions for a just urban transition. The event empowers the youth to shape smart, green communities and lead the way in inclusive urban planning.

Community event

High-impact NGOs for nature and communities

This event highlights the power of NGOs working together to transform communities through their natural and cultural heritage. From rewilding the Southern Carpathians to revitalizing Saxon villages, empowering local leaders, restoring urban nature, and strengthening rural economies, we’ll share inspiring stories of resilience and sustainable growth—from the Carpathian Mountains to the Danube Delta.

Community event

Climate Change Think Tank @ EFdeN

Climate Change Think Tank @ EFdeN is a collaborative masterclass bringing together sustainability leaders, innovators, and young changemakers to share insights, co-create solutions, and inspire individual action for a greener future

Iain Trewby

Country Manager România, Fauna & Flora

Hassan Damluji

Director, Global Nation

Side Event

Transition to gender-inclusive leadership

Amelia Kraij Lopez Huix, United Nations advisor, will be addressing the current context globally on leadership in companies and institutions – and the lack of gender inclusivity. She will be discussing strategies seen abroad for pushing for a gender inclusive environment and the impact of community and freedom of speech – and how as individuals we can support this movement.

Amelia Kraij Lopez Huix

Owner and General Partner of MCI Partners

ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY DAY - OCTOBER 24

CEE Community event

Open Door Session: From Waste to Energy

Open Door Session: From Waste to Energy – Biogas and Biomethane for Environment and Community This Open Door Session will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how agricultural and food waste can be transformed into clean energy and valuable resources for communities. Through a focused roundtable discussion with leading Serbian experts on biogas and biomethane, participants will gain insights into how these technologies contribute to environmental protection, energy security, and the resilience of local communities within the circular economy.

Private Event
Community event

Carbon footprint and the effects of climate change

During this workshop, participants will explore the impact of climate change starting from visual and concrete examples from their own communities. They will gain an understanding of how climate effects manifest today, what predictions exist for the future at both local and global levels and what role each individual plays in reducing negative impacts.
Participants will also take a carbon footprint test to discover how much their personal habits contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
In the end, everyone will be invited to share experiences, daily habits, and personal commitments for a more sustainable future. The workshop combines informative content with personal reflection and offers a space for dialogue and inspiration for small changes that can have a big impact.

Private Event
CEE Community event

Lessons and Strategies for Youth: Dissemination of Climate Change Summit Info

This event will take the various information, strategies, and best practices from the Climate Change Summit and synthesize it for Macedonian Youth.
Private Event
Community event

“Be the Change: Youth for Climate Action”

In this Masterclass for high‑school and university students, there will be an introductory presentation on climate change and how it affects us personally and locally. Participants will then work in themed table discussions to explore how ideas can be turned into initiatives at the school, university, or community level.

Community event

"Forest Caravan" at Climate Change Summit

On Friday, October 24, we bring the magic of the forest to two schools in Bucharest and Pitești, as part of the Climate Change Summit. Together with 350 students, we will explore the connections between people and nature, learn about the visible and invisible wood in our daily lives, and discover how a “green” future also depends on our choices. “Forest Caravan” is a forest education project for everyone who wishes to learn more about our forests. We bring the forest closer to them: we come with a van filled with cones, seeds, flowers, leaves, bracket fungi, worksheets, and all kinds of games to learn through play about people, trees, and animals. And… we offer a forest seedling to each participant who has a place to plant it. “Plantăm Fapte Bune în România” is a national afforestation project on public lands. We plant, care for, and grow forests; we design and beautify gardens, parks, and schoolyards with the help of volunteers and specialized companies.
Private Event
Community event

Strategies for effective communication of the climate crisis in social media

How do we talk about the climate crisis? Why is how we address it important? How do we tailor our messages to different audiences? We work together in the workshop to answer these questions and discuss the best approaches

CEE Community event

From Idea to Impact: Youth-Led Climate Solutions in Our Community

This roundtable brings together young leaders, local stakeholders, and decision makers in Athens to explore how youth-driven initiatives can shape meaningful climate action. Participants will exchange ideas, share experiences, and co-develop strategies to transform community-level visions into impactful solutions. The discussion aims to strengthen collaboration across generations and sectors, ensuring that youth voices play a central role in advancing climate resilience and sustainability.

Private Event
Community event

The Climate Lifeline: Protecting Our Forests

In the face of accelerating climate change, protecting forests is vital not only for biodiversity but also for maintaining the stability and quality of water sources that sustain both people and nature. This panel, part of the Climate Change Summit and organised by Foundation Conservation Carpathia in partnership with BRD, will highlight how forest conservation strengthens resilience, safeguards natural resources, and secures a sustainable future.

Mihai Zotta

Conservation Director, Foundation Conservation Carpathia

Florin Stoican

President, Kogayon Association and Reteaua pentru Natură Urbană

Iain Trewby

Country Manager România, Fauna & Flora

Louis de Jaeger

Eco-entrepreneur

CEE Community event

BRD Community Dinner

Private Event

CONSCIOUS LIVING DAY - OCTOBER 25

Side Event

Yoga Session powered by OTOTO

Slow down. Breathe in. Reconnect to yourself. As part of Conscious Living Day, we’re gathering at OTOTO Victoriei for two yoga sessions focused on relaxation, inner balance, and reconnecting with your body. Come as you are, let go of the stress and enjoy the experience. It is not about perfect poses – instead, it’s about presence, moving with intention and nurturing healthy rituals, everything in a comforting environment.

Side Event

Slow Motion Club

Slow Life is all about helping you build healthy, sustainable habits while living in the present. On Conscious Living Day, as part of the Climate Change Summit, we’re getting together for some movement, fun, and moments of calm and connection. We’re starting from OTOTO Victoriei and we’re building experiences together. We invite you to join us for our first community run, let’s move slowly, together!

Community Tour

Guided walk in Băneasa Forest

This two-hour walk offers an opportunity to observe the seasonal changes that shape forest life in autumn. We will look at how trees prepare for winter as daylight hours shorten, and how these changes affect the wider ecosystem. Participants will also be encouraged to pay attention to the forest’s soundscape, learning to distinguish and identify the different sources of natural and human-made noises. It is important to note that Băneasa Forest is currently facing a high risk of fragmentation, primarily due to the recent opening of a forest road to automobile traffic.

Private Event
Side Event

Community Brunch: A Story of Belonging

In this Masterclass for high‑school and university students, there will be an introductory presentation on climate change and how it affects us personally and locally. Participants will then work in themed table discussions to explore how ideas can be turned into initiatives at the school, university, or community level.

Contact Us

Get In Touch

Email

climate@innovationsolutions.eu

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Agenda FEL Energy Trilemma Workshop

13:30 – 14:00

Welcome coffee & networking

An informal opportunity for participants to meet and greet each other over coffee before the session begins.

14:00 – 15:00

Keynote speakers

Olivian Savin – Manager Communication & Marketing FEL Romania
Ștefan Gheorghe – Executive Director CNR-CME
Andrei Gurin – Sustainable Finance Unit, Team Leader – Taxonomy and Reporting, European Commission
Ana Nedea – Director of Strategy & Business Development, SIMTEL Team

15:00 – 15:20

Coffee break

15:20 – 16:30

Energy Trilemma Workshop

Olivian Savin – Manager Communication & Marketing FEL Romania

16:30 – 18:00

Networking wine tasting offered by Simtel Team

CEE Climate Connect Agenda

Date: October 17, 2024

Location: Representation of the European Commission in Romania, Lascăr 31 Business Center

Co-organized with the Representation of the European Commission in Romania and the EU Climate Pact, this Climate Change Summit side event is a speed networking session aimed at professionals and key stakeholders in Central and Eastern Europe. It offers a chance to quickly connect with influential people, build new relationships, and explore potential collaborations. The goal is to help participants make valuable connections that can support their work and initiatives in the region.

09:30 – 10:00

Welcome Coffee

An informal opportunity for participants to meet and greet each other over coffee before the session begins.

10:00 – 10:15

Welcome Remarks

Roxana Cojocaru, Executive Director, Social Innovation Solutions
Mara Roman, Deputy Head, Representation of the European Commission in Romania
Ana-Maria Pălăduș, Vice President, REPER21, National Coordinator for the EU Climate Pact in Romania

10:15 – 10:45

Participant Introductions

In this session, each participant will have the opportunity to introduce themselves briefly, sharing their role, the organization they represent, and their key areas of focus related to climate action and sustainability. This session is designed to give attendees a better understanding of who is present and to start identifying potential points of collaboration.

10:45 – 12:00

Facilitated Networking Activities

This interactive segment will guide participants through structured networking exercises, encouraging meaningful exchanges and collaboration opportunities. Activities will include:

  • Speed Networking: A fast-paced series of short, one-on-one conversations where participants can quickly introduce themselves and discuss mutual interests.
  • Group Discussions: Participants will be divided into small groups based on shared topics of interest (such as energy, agriculture, or urban sustainability) to explore ideas and possible synergies.
  • Collaboration Mapping: Using a visual tool, participants will highlight potential collaborations within the group, allowing them to identify common goals and resources that can be shared for future projects.

These activities are designed to help attendees make impactful connections in a short amount of time and foster potential long-term partnerships.

12:00 – 12:30

Lunch

A relaxed networking lunch where participants can continue their conversations and deepen connections made during the morning sessions.

ESG Leaders Forum Agenda

09:00 - 10:00

Registration and Welcome Coffee

10:00 - 10:15

Introduction and Welcome Address

Philippe Thibaud

Deputy CEO, BRD - Groupe Societe Generale

Philippe Gabulon

CEO, Societe Generale Global Solution Centre in Romania and Deputy CEO for SG GSC in India

Ciprian Stanescu

President Social innovation Solutions

Mihaela Frăsineanu

State Counselor, Prime Minister's Chancellery

10:15 - 10:45

Panel 1: Legislation

Codruț Nicolau

Founder, Sustain Future

Elena Cargnello

Member of the Board of Directors | Cogenio

Mihaela Frăsineanu

State Counselor, Prime Minister's Chancellery

10:45 - 11:15

Panel 2: Sustainable Finance & Investment

Aleksandra Palinska

Executive Director at Eurosif

Andrei Gurin

Sustainable Finance Unit, Team Leader – Taxonomy and Reporting, European Commission

Iuliana Tiba

Director Social Environment and Positive Financing Division BRD Groupe Société Générale

11:15 - 11:45

Panel 3: ESG Measurement and Reporting

Alexander Stevens

CEO, Greenomy

Fenya Sourla

Co-founder, COO & ESG Expert at Dataphoria

Kaisa Karjalainen

Director of the Mission Zero Academy (MiZA)

11:45 - 12.30

Panel 4: Examples of Good Practice in Business

Tiberiu Dănețiu

Corporate Affairs and Media Retail Director, Auchan Romania

Ioana Botezatu

Head of CSR, Societe Generale Global Solution Centre (SG GSC) India and Romania

Raluca Mocanu

Sustainability Leader, IKEA România

Boualem Saidi

Senior Bayer Representative for the Country Group and Managing Director of Bayer SRL Romania

12:30 - 13.00

Coffee Break

13.00 - 14.00

Breakout Sessions (3 simultaneous topics)

Room 1: Legislation
Room 2: How to make Sustainable Financing work (workshop led by Theresa Spandel, on implementation of the CSRD)
Room 3: ESG Measurement and Reporting in Practice (session led by Alexander Stevens)

14.00 - 15.00

Networking Lunch

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