Initiatives & Impact

From dialogue to delivery
Adria ScaleUp Initiative: A strategic alliance for start-ups and scale-ups with sustainability at their core. Adria ScaleUp connects innovators with mentors, investors, corporate partners, and policy champions, helping to unlock pathways to growth while advancing the region’s sustainable and digital transformation.
NextGen Adria: A platform for empowering the region’s emerging leaders. It connects young innovators with policymakers, business mentors, and international experts to explore ideas, develop skills, and shape the future of leadership.
Women on Boards Adria (WOBA): A regional initiative promoting gender-diverse governance. WOBA offers training, strategic networking, and peer support to increase the number of women in senior leadership and board positions across the region.

Sustainable Adria Awards: An annual celebration of leadership in sustainability and regional cooperation. The awards recognise outstanding businesses, public institutions, young leaders, and community initiatives advancing the green transition.

Adria ScaleUp Initiative

Launched in 2025, this cross-border effort supports the growth of startups and scale-ups across Southeast Europe. Co-developed with regional innovation hubs and Plug and Play, the initiative works to:
    • Remove regulatory and funding barriers
    • Improve access to private capital
    • Build a regional innovation ecosystem
A progress update will be presented at the 2026 Summit.

NextGen Adria

Launched at 2024 Summit, NextGen Adria is a platform to elevate the voices of young leaders shaping sustainability and digital policy in the region.

Through workshops, campaigns, and direct engagement with policymakers, NextGen Adria equips youth with the tools to move from ideas to implementation.

Highlights include:

    • National youth dialogues across the region
    • Youth-led recommendations presented at the Summit
    • Cross-country peer exchange

Women on Boards Adria (WOBA)

Founded at the 2023 Summit, WOBA is a regional initiative aimed at increasing gender diversity in executive and board leadership.

In just two years, WOBA has:

    • Built a network of 40+ senior female leaders
    • Delivered training and mentoring across 8 countries
    • Advocated for greater transparency in board nominations and governance structures

WOBA is supported by leading institutions and continues to expand its footprint.

Sustainable Adria Awards

Launched in 2025, the Sustainable Adria Awards recognise excellence in leadership, innovation, and tangible impact across Southeast Europe. These awards celebrate individuals, organisations, and initiatives setting new standards for sustainability and ESG integration in the region.

Award Categories:

    • Sustainable Adria Leader of the Year
      Honouring a senior leader from the public or private sector who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to embedding sustainability into core operations, governance, or public service.
    • Sustainable Adria Initiative of the Year
      Recognising a high-impact project, partnership, or programme that has delivered measurable environmental or social outcomes in the region.
    • Sustainable Adria Innovation of the Year
      Awarded to a breakthrough idea, product, or service that demonstrates how innovation can advance sustainability and resilience.
    • Sustainable Adria Business of the Year
      Highlighting a company that exemplifies sustainable business practices across governance, operations, supply chains, and community engagement.

The next Awards Ceremony will take place during the 2026 edition of the Summit, bringing regional and international recognition to those redefining what leadership looks like in the green and digital transition.

The future of Southeast Europe is being shaped here. Be part of it.

Join Us in Porto Montenegro

Get Involved