The Fifth Greencajt Has Begun: Zagreb Hosts World Experts

Under the motto “Neither black/nor white”, today at the Zagreb Fair, the fifth edition of the Greencajt festival has commenced – the leading regional event dedicated to sustainability, green policies, and societal transformation. In Pavilion 13, local and international experts, leaders, and creatives gather to discuss key challenges and solutions for a sustainable future during the three-day program.

The festival was officially opened by Mayor Tomislav Tomašević, who emphasized in his address that Greencajt plays an important role in involving citizens, experts, and entrepreneurs in the green transition.

– For the fourth consecutive year, the City of Zagreb is the patron of this festival, and I am extremely proud that Greencajt is expanding because such projects require resilience and vision. I am particularly pleased that the community of people supporting green ideas in Croatia is growing, and I am also happy about the increasing involvement of the private sector. The dialogue on the green transition, both in Zagreb and Croatia, is extremely important, and in this context, it is especially inspiring to see that the festival gathers relevant speakers from around the world, especially from Denmark – emphasized Mayor Tomislav Tomašević.

Greencajt Director Vinko Filipić pointed out that the goal of the festival is to encourage open and constructive dialogue on sustainability and to offer concrete guidelines for action.

– Greencajt is here to remind us that climate action is not a political issue but a civilizational one, that ESG is not a trend but a new standard of responsibility, and that sustainability is not a goal but a way of acting. Therefore, this year we will touch on topics ranging from regenerative economy to climate justice to technological innovations that change the rules of the game through panels, workshops, and inspirational speeches. But most importantly, we will talk about how to move from words to actions – stated Vinko Filipić.

This year’s edition is held with strong support from the partner country, the Kingdom of Denmark, known for its advancements in green transition and climate neutrality. The partnership comes ahead of Denmark’s presidency of the EU, which begins on July 1, and sustainability will be one of the key priorities. At the festival’s opening, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Ole Henrik Frijs-Madsen, addressed the attendees.

– We are proud to be partners of this important festival for the third consecutive year, and I believe that this long-term cooperation reflects not only our shared values that are crucial for sustainability but also a shared awareness of the importance of the topics being raised here. We are here to find solutions, build partnerships, and take immediate action – because we do not have time to wait. Greencajt is, in our experience, a place where not only changes are discussed – here, concrete solutions are debated because we must build the future now – stated H.E. Ole Henrik Frijs-Madsen.

Visionaries Who Push Boundaries

The festival program opened on the first day with inspiring discussions about the role of creativity, technology, and empathy in shaping a sustainable future. Sara Riis-Carstensen, a global expert in brand strategy and former creative director of LEGO, delivered a lecture titled Lego: building sustainability. Brick by brick. in which she described the transformation journey of this legendary brand towards sustainable business.

– Sustainability must be at the very heart of the brand to be authentic and have a real impact. We believe that as a brand we have a responsibility to protect children and provide them with safety and freedom in the digital world. Balancing high quality and environmental care is not easy, but it is possible – LEGO brick by brick! – emphasized Riis-Carstensen.

The rest of the first day promises a series of prominent speakers and topics that raise key questions about a sustainable future – and are not afraid to seek answers. Christoph von Toggenburg, a global leader at the World Economic Forum and former humanitarian diplomat, delivers a powerful lecture Where Empathy Meets Strategy: Leading Change at Scale powered by Holcim Hrvatska, in which he connects experiences from crisis zones with today’s challenges of corporate responsibility. On the panel Local Sustainable and Globally Attractive – Can Tourism Sit on Two Chairs? visionary speakers – Nada Prodan Mraković, head of tourism in Istria County, Slaven Žabo, director of commercial affairs at Croatia Airlines, Andreja Vukojević, director of the Tourism Sector at HGK, and Alenka Soršak, advisor for sustainable tourism at Ljubljana Tourism – will discuss how investing in green infrastructure and authentic local offerings transforms destinations into magnets for residents, guests, and investors.

Artificial intelligence will also be in the spotlight – Brett StClair, founder of Teraflow.ai and former executive at Google, in his lecture AI Future in a Resource-Limited World presents a provocative view on the role of technology in creating a more sustainable world.

The panel ROI, ROE, ESG (and all the letters in between): what is the new financial currency and value? gathers experts from the financial sector – Ines Borčić, director of the sustainable development department, Branimir Leka, director of business with large business systems and structured business at Raiffeisenbank Hrvatska, Ana Romac, advisor at the Croatian Banking Association, and Draženka Draženović Kostelac, advisor to the Management Board of HBOR with CFA and CESGA certifications. Together, they will discuss how the financial sector is adapting to the new demands of sustainable business and shaping the future of investment.

A Side Program Like No Other Festival Has Ever Had

This year, Greencajt brings a true festival premiere – for the first time, the Greencajt Film Festival is being held! In collaboration with Raiffeisenbank Hrvatska, over 80 documentary and author films from around the world will be screened over two days. From spectacular landscapes and unknown cultures to brilliant minds that change our view of reality – each of these films expands horizons and leaves a mark. And the best part? Admission is completely free.

In addition to top films, visitors to the Greencajt festival can also expect a true musical treat – a concert by music diva Nina Badrić, powered by OTP. The good news is that the concert is open to a wider audience, and tickets can be purchased separately. Proceeds from the sales will be donated to the humanitarian program “OTP Round Up”, which helps ensure better healthcare for children across Croatia. The Greencajt festival takes place from May 21 to 23, and all information can be found at www.greencajt.hr, and follow the news on FB, IG profiles.