UN Global Compact network Croatia: Working Together Towards Sustainable Development
The annual gathering in Zagreb brought together representatives of public institutions, the business sector, and the media to foster cooperation and advance the integration of sustainability into business and societal strategies.
UN Global Compact Network Croatia hosted its traditional annual gathering in a festive setting at the SquareOne restaurant in central Zagreb, welcoming members, non-member organizations, partners, as well as representatives of public institutions and the media. The aim of the event was to further encourage dialogue on sustainable business practices and to strengthen cooperation between public and private stakeholders.
The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, aligned with the Ten Principles of the United Nations in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption. The Croatian Network operates as part of this global community, encouraging companies and organizations to align their business models with sustainability and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Croatia.
Key Messages
The gathering was opened by Ana Pašiček, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Croatia, who emphasized the Network’s key role in connecting the public and private sectors and the importance of creating space for collaboration that leads to tangible progress toward more sustainable and responsible business practices.
Following this, the participants were addressed by senior officials from state institutions:
● Željko Vuković, State Secretary at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, highlighted the responsibility of public institutions in leading the green transition, with particular emphasis on reducing the carbon footprint and the effective use of available financial mechanisms.
● Ivo Milatić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy, highlighted the key role of investing in people and knowledge in times of change, noting that sustainability is increasingly shaping investment decisions and the expectations of younger generations.
The audience was also addressed by Marina Burazer, Member of the Management Board of UN Global Compact Network Croatia and ESG and Marketing Director at Fortenova Group. She emphasized that sustainability implies the long-term resilience of organizations through balancing the impact of business on society and the environment, as well as the impact of society and the environment on business itself.
Following the formal addresses, the gathering continued in a relaxed and informal atmosphere over food and drinks, encouraging open dialogue and the exchange of experiences among participants. The Network’s work plan for the upcoming year was presented through visual infographics displayed throughout the venue, offering a modern and accessible way to communicate strategic priorities and maintaining a balance between an informal setting and substantive content.
A Symbol of Shared Commitment
All participants received a symbolic gift - a watch featuring a graphic of the planet and the message “No pause” - serving as a reminder of the responsibility and urgency of action in the field of sustainability.
We would like to thank all members, partners, representatives of public institutions and the media for their continued support of the work of the UN Global Compact Network Croatia, as well as for their dedicated contribution to advancing the goals of sustainable and responsible business.
Blog EN
Novo izdanje newslettera Global Compact mreže Hrvatska donosi pregled ključnih aktivnosti, programa i inicijativa usmjerenih na jačanje održivog i odgovornog poslovanja. U fokusu su teme koje danas oblikuju poslovno okruženje – od klimatskog djelovanja, ljudskih prava i održivog financiranja do inovacija, regulatornih promjena i razvoja kapaciteta kompanija za dugoročnu otpornost i konkurentnost.
Sustainability is no longer a topic reserved solely for ESG departments or strategic documents. Increasingly, it is becoming a matter of mindset, decision-making, and an organization’s ability to respond to complex market, societal, and technological changes over the long term. This is precisely the foundation of the SDG Innovation Accelerator, a United Nations Global Compact programme through which companies strengthen their internal capabilities for more sustainable business practices, while participants develop new approaches to innovation, collaboration, and leadership within their organizations. A key role in supporting participants throughout the programme is played by Marija Mažić, facilitator of the SDG Innovation Accelerator implemented in Croatia by Global Compact Network Croatia and an expert in resilience . Her role is to guide the process, encourage the exchange of ideas, and create an environment in which participants can develop sustainable business solutions while also cultivating new approaches to leadership, collaboration, and innovation. According to Mažić, one of the programme’s greatest strengths lies in the way it is designed. “The entire process is highly interactive and, from the very beginning, requires participants to actively engage through dialogue, questioning, testing ideas, and working on real-world challenges.” She adds that the Accelerator succeeds in maintaining two important elements at the same time: an honest recognition of the challenges organizations face today and a belief that meaningful change within the business sector is possible. In this context, the UN Global Compact provides organizations with a structure, a community, and a practical framework through which sustainability can be translated into real business decisions and tangible change.
Održivost danas više nije tema rezervirana isključivo za ESG odjele ili strateške dokumente. Sve više postaje pitanje načina razmišljanja, donošenja odluka i sposobnosti organizacija da dugoročno odgovore na kompleksne promjene tržišta, društva i tehnologije. Upravo se na tome temelji SDG Innovation Accelerator, program United Nations Global Compacta kroz koji kompanije jačaju interne kapacitete za održivije poslovanje, a sudionici razvijaju nove pristupe inovacijama, suradnji i liderstvu unutar svojih organizacija. U radu sa sudionicima važnu ulogu ima Marija Mažić, voditeljica programa u organizaciji Global Compact Network Croatia mreže Hrvatska i Resilience Coach te Social Impact Advocate . Njezina je uloga usmjeravati proces, poticati razmjenu ideja i stvarati prostor u kojem sudionici mogu razvijati održiva poslovna rješenja, ali i drugačiji pristup liderstvu, suradnji i inovacijama unutar organizacija. Jedna od najvećih vrijednosti programa, smatra Mažić, upravo je način na koji je postavljen. „Cijeli je proces izuzetno interaktivan i od prvog trenutka traži aktivno uključivanje sudionika kroz razgovor, propitivanje, testiranje ideja i rad na stvarnim izazovima.“ Dodaje kako Akcelerator uspijeva zadržati dvije važne stvari istovremeno – ozbiljnost izazova s kojima se organizacije danas suočavaju i vjeru da promjene unutar poslovnog sektora zaista jesu moguće. UN Global Compact pritom organizacijama daje strukturu, zajednicu i konkretan okvir kroz koji održivost mogu pretvoriti u stvarne poslovne odluke i promjene.
U novom izdanju newslettera Global Compact mreže Hrvatska donosimo pregled najvažnijih aktivnosti, inicijativa i događanja koja su obilježila proteklo razdoblje. Izdvajamo teme povezane s transparentnošću plaća, održivim financiranjem, ljudskim pravima, klimatskim djelovanjem i odgovornom primjenom umjetne inteligencije, kao i aktualne prilike za uključivanje u UN Global Compact programe i akceleratore.
Prvi sastanak Peer Learning grupe za održivo financiranje održan je 11. svibnja 2026. u organizaciji UN Global Compact mreže Hrvatska, uz stručno moderiranje EY Hrvatska. Susret je okupio predstavnike poslovnog sektora, financijskih institucija, razvojnih organizacija i javnog sektora s ciljem razmjene iskustava o transformaciji poslovanja kroz ESG pristup. Ovo je prvi od ukupno četiri planirana susreta koji će tijekom godine detaljno obrađivati teme održivog financiranja kroz bankarske modele, tržište kapitala te ulogu razvojnih banaka i međunarodnih institucija. U nastavku pročitajte ključne zaključke i preuzmite izvještaj.
The Pay Transparency Directive has been a subject of discussion for some time, but only now is the magnitude of its implementation challenges becoming clear. Unlike previous regulations that were predominantly technical or legal in nature, this Directive strikes at the very core of an organization – the way employers define the value of work and make compensation decisions.
Direktiva o transparentnosti plaća već neko vrijeme postoji kao tema rasprave, ali tek sada postaje jasno koliko će njezina implementacija biti zahtjevna. Za razliku od nekih prethodnih regulativa koje su bile dominantno tehničke ili pravne, ova direktiva zadire u samu srž organizacije – u način na koji poslodavci definiraju vrijednost rada i donose odluke o plaćama.
How are Croatian employers preparing for the EU Pay Transparency Directive? On 29 April 2026, a professional conference titled “EU Pay Transparency Directive – obligations, implementation and practice” was held in Zagreb, organised by the Croatian Employers’ Association, UN Global Compact Network Croatia and Forvis Mazars . The event brought together a strong representation of business leaders, HR professionals and legal experts to discuss the transition towards greater pay transparency and equal pay – key requirements introduced by the new EU Directive. Ana Pašiček, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Croatia , highlighted the broader relevance of the topic: “The Pay Transparency Directive represents an important step towards more equitable and responsible business practices. It is not only about compliance with new requirements, but also an opportunity for organisations to build trust and demonstrate a genuine commitment to equality. Transparent pay systems help address disparities and contribute to a working environment where criteria are clear and opportunities are equal for all.”
Kako se hrvatski poslodavci pripremaju za EU Direktivu o transparentnosti plaća? U organizaciji Hrvatske udruge poslodavaca (HUP), UN Global Compact mreže Hrvatska i Forvis Mazarsa , jučer, 29. travnja 2026., održan je stručni skup pod nazivom „ EU Direktiva o transparentnosti plaća – obveze, provedba i praksa“ . Događaj je okupio zavidan broj predstavnika poslovnog sektora, HR stručnjaka i pravnika koji su raspravljali o transformaciji prema većoj transparentnosti i osiguravanju jednakosti plaća, što su ujedno i ključni zahtjevi nove EU Direktive. Ana Pašiček, izvršna direktorica UN Global Compact mreže Hrvatska, naglasila je važnost ove teme za širu poslovnu zajednicu: „Direktiva o transparentnosti plaća važan je korak prema pravednijem i odgovornijem poslovanju. Ne radi se samo o usklađivanju s novim pravilima, već o prilici za organizacije da ojačaju povjerenje i pokažu stvarnu predanost jednakosti. Transparentni sustavi plaća pomažu ukloniti nejednakosti te doprinose radnom okruženju u kojem su kriteriji jasni, a prilike jednake za sve.“
Od klimatskih inicijativa i jačanja međunarodne suradnje do novih članova Mreže i aktualnih akceleratorskih programa, proteklo razdoblje obilježile su aktivnosti usmjerene na konkretne iskorake u području održivosti. U ovom izdanju donosimo pregled ključnih aktivnosti, uključujući Regionalnu Climate Action Platformu u Kopenhagenu, obilježavanje Dana planeta Zemlje te otvorene prijave za Climate Ambition i Target Gender Equality Acceleratore, kao i najavu nadolazećih događanja koja donose aktualne teme poput transparentnosti plaća, održivog financiranja i primjene umjetne inteligencije u poslovanju.
