WHO WE ARE?
We are a non-profit cluster organization which acts towards the larger uptake of more sustainable innovations leading to a greener future. Our goal is to establish cluster networks and bring various stakeholders together to collaborate and explore new ways to develop innovative sustainable solutions and support their uptake in the Balkan region.
WHAT WE DO?
We support our networks by establishing a connection between stakeholders, igniting the exchange & uptake of ideas and supporting their realisation by providing access to funding & knowledge.
KEY OBJECTIVES
- Map, connect & animate the networks
- Identify & understand key challenges our networks are facing and assess how sustainable practices can help address them
- Raise awareness of sustainable innovations and their potential to address key problems
- Facilitate knowledge exchange between contractors and with experts
- Allow for experimentation, innovation, and research to help address key problems in a sustainable way
- Promote results to government, citizens, and others in society
Our Team
Davide Guariento
Director
Strongly believing in the innovation potential of Balkan entrepreneurs and researchers, he aspires to create and support a regional community of eco-innovators. By leveraging his experience in accessing public and private funds, management of large-scale European projects, and his passion for environmentalism and economics, Davide will strive to support the development of a sustainable economy in Balkans.
Igor Milosavljevic
Manager of European Affairs
Igor is the manager of European Affairs of the association. He is a globe-trotter who studied and lived in many countries across 4 continents where he acquired deep knowledge on environmental and sustainability matters. Once back in Serbia, Igor decided to use his extensive experience in publicly funded grants and tenders, and his broad international network of innovators to support Balkan entrepreneurs and researchers to develop and scale-up ecological solutions.
Nireekshana Nakkala
Senior Project Manager
She has a passion for social impact and teaching, together with strong managerial skills which she brings to the Association. She previously led digilatisation of a micro-finance cooperative owned by 30,000 women in south India. In addition, she has worked as a schoolteacher and is a certified yoga instructor.
Sara Matković
Communication and Dissemination Manager
With years of experience in accounting, she is our finance wizard. Sara is a true nature and animal lover, she loves traveling, meeting new people and networking. She can’t imagine her life without good chats, gatherings and outdoor adventures. If you need any information on anything, Sara is your go to person. Her motto is: be the person you want to meet when you are in need.
Maja Budimir
Community and Project Manager
Combining a background in Environmental Engineering with years of experience in managing and implementing EU-funded projects, Maja is dedicated to transforming sustainable ideas into a reality. As a passionate art, music, movies, and sports enthusiast, she has a very sociable personality capable of engaging people from diverse backgrounds.
Katarina Djokić
Communication and Dissemination Manager
Katarina has worked on developing and executing impactful communication strategies for more than 6 years, ensuring high visibility and strong engagement for both small/large businesses and European projects. She has demonstrated experience in “bridging the gap” between the researchers, innovators, public bodies, and citizens. She is driven to raise awareness of important social issues and to promote small, continuous efforts which translate into large improvements in the everyday lives of people.
Srđan Pavlović
Senior Project Manager
With degrees in both business administration and forestry, he's worked as a Business Analyst and Project Manager in the IT domain in parallel to managing his own hazelnut orchard. He has taken recent steps to align his orchard with a regenerative approach. Nature for him has always been a place of solace and inspiration, and he is dedicated to supporting new ecological solutions in the Balkans.
Dušan Sekulić
Communication and Dissemination Manager
Communicative. Creative. Capable. Candid. Dušan has strong experience in supporting agricultural research and innovation. He has demonstrated his vast aptitude in multiple roles, from financial planning and management to communication and design. His dedication to creativity and innovation drives his enthusiasm for shaping a more eco-friendly future for the Balkans region.
Nataša Dicić
Senior Financial & Project Manager
Nataša is a financial professional with extensive experience in the NGO and commercial sector. She specializes in financial management and strategic planning, but also has a strong focus on advancing sustainable habits - especially when it comes to consumer practices. She promotes the circular economy in the textile industry, for fashion, sustainability, and charity. With a commitment to environmental and social responsibility, Nataša leverages her expertise to support ABE in achieving long-term goals, driving impactful change in line with the global.
Milica Adamović
Senior Communications Manager
Milica is a scientist converted into environmental communicator. She completed bachelor and master's studies in ecology and environmental protection and has many years of experience in scientific publishing, project management, environmental communication and PR. Coming from scientific background, she specializes in communicating scientific research and results to public. She believes that, if we want the future to be sustainable, individual and systemic changes are needed. She is not only all about the talk, but she also implements eco-friendly in her daily life, sharing her achievements and struggles with the community. At ABE, she will use her communication superpowers to bring eco-friendly innovations closer to all the relevant stakeholders.