Jelena Pavlović

Coordinator for Croatia
ACT Group
https://act-grupa.hr/

Expert in social economy and organizational development, with 10+ years of experience in EU and other projects on employment, social protection, and social innovation. Active in national, regional, and EU networks. Trainer and author in capacity building, advocacy, and social entrepreneurship. Focused on partnerships, social investment, and networking. MBA student with a positive, professional attitude and broad project management experience.

Society, Policy

jelena.pavlovic@act-grupa.hr

Ana Brigović

Expert
ACT Group
https://act-grupa.hr/

Ana Brigović is a market-focused business expert with experience in marketing, advertising, strategy, and business development. Gained insights from working across diverse industries. Currently manages acceleration programs for impact entrepreneurs and actively mentors in various initiatives. Believes in meaningful market engagement and a human-centered, empathetic approach to service design and business development.

Society, Business, Projects

ana.brigovic@act-grupa.hr

Kosjenka Dumančić

Expert
Faculty of Economics & Business, University of Zagreb
https://www.efzg.unizg.hr

Kosjenka Dumančić is a Full Professor at the Department of Business Law and Strategic Chair for Projects at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb. Her research focuses on European, Commercial, and Company Law, especially the free movement of services and the digital platform economy. She leads the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet project EUsolis 2.0, has broad experience in EU-funded initiatives, publishes internationally, serves as evaluator and editor, and contributes to European academic and policy debates.

Business, Policy

kdumancic@net.efzg.hr

Zoran Wittine

Expert
Faculty of Economics & Business, University of Zagreb
https://www.efzg.unizg.hr

Zoran Wittine is Associate Professor and Vice-Dean for infrastructure and business processes at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb. His research covers international business, entrepreneurship, social innovation, and risk management. He led multiple EU projects on social innovation, social entrepreneurship, and education, including programs focused on nature-based solutions and digital transformation. Formerly, he worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company on corporate restructuring and efficiency.

Business, Policy

zwittine@efzg.hr

Ana Marija Oršić

Development Agency of the City of Novska – NORA
Expert
https://nora-novska.com/

Ana Marija Oršić is a Senior Expert Associate at NORA with 5+ years of experience in EU project management. She led an ESF-funded project that established Novska’s Social Innovation Incubator. As former deputy president of the Youth Association Novska, she helped launch the region’s first social enterprise for wood reuse. Ana Marija has also contributed to strategic planning at local and regional levels and organized numerous events in Novska.

Policy, Society

anamarija.orsic@nora-novska.com

Mara Stipić Bagarić

Expert
Development Agency of the City of Novska – NORA
https://nora-novska.com/

Mara Stipić Bagarić is an expert in Project Cycle Management with 15+ years of experience in developing business, social, and communal infrastructure across Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Her work includes support for start-ups, business zones, STEM promotion, youth work, social enterprises, and international projects. She specializes in institutional and capacity building to ensure long-term sustainability and impact of development initiatives.

Projects, Business

mara.bagaric@nora-novska.com

Tijana Šapina

Expert
Youth Association Novska
https://www.umn.hr/

Tijana Šapina is an expert associate for SME development and EU projects, with a focus on social and community initiatives. She holds a degree in business economics and is a member of the Novska Youth Association. With five years of experience, she previously worked in a business incubator supporting startups. She is currently active in managing STEM lab activities and organizing STEM, science, and art events. Tijana also contributes to socially impactful projects run by the City of Novska.

Business, Policy, Youth

tijana.sapina@nora-novska.com

Lovro Brtan

Expert
Youth Association Novska
https://www.umn.hr/

Lovro Brtan is a senior expert associate for rural development and EU projects. He holds a degree in agronomy from the University of Zagreb and currently serves as the president of the Novska Youth Association. He has two years of experience in preparing and implementing development projects, with a particular focus on rural areas and empowering local communities. He actively participates in organizing trainings, workshops, and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for young people.

Policy, Projects, Youth

umnovska@gmail.com

Tadej Slapnik

Expert
Hashnet d.o.o.
https://hashnet.tech

Tadej Slapnik is an internationally recognized expert in social entrepreneurship and social innovation, with 15+ years of experience in developing the social innovation ecosystem in Slovenia and Europe. His expertise includes digital social innovation platforms, Web3, the Metaverse, social economy, and related policies and legislation. He is also experienced in managing budgets, reporting, and evaluating impact in the field of social innovation.

Society, Business

tadej.slapnik@tolar.io

Iva Kapusta

Expert
Hashnet d.o.o.
https://hashnet.tech

Iva Kapusta is a junior professional in the field of digital social innovation, focused on the technical development and operational support of digital platforms. Her interests include the use of technology for social good and addressing societal challenges. With a strong motivation for learning and adapting to new technologies, she contributes to initiatives that foster innovation, inclusion, and positive social impact.

Society, Business

iva.kapusta@cotrugli.eu

Mija Crnjaković

Expert
Faculty of Economics & Business, University of Zagreb
https://www.efzg.unizg.hr

Head of the Project Office, Faculty of Economics & Business, University of Zagreb. Expert in EU-funded project development and implementation with extensive experience in managing research, innovation, and capacity-building initiatives. Skilled in strategic planning, interdisciplinary coordination, and fostering institutional excellence through sustainable and innovative project management. She drives research advancement and organizational growth through visionary leadership and impactful project execution.

EU-funded projects, Research and innovation management, Strategic project leadership

mcrnjakovic@net.efzg.hr

Danijela Paska

Researcher and Social Impact Expert
ACT Group
https://act-grupa.hr/

Researcher and impact specialist passionate about strengthening the social economy through innovation, responsible business, and social change. With an MA in sociology and anthropology, she brings a people-centered perspective to projects, research, and social impact guidance. Skilled in strategy, evaluations, impact frameworks, and data analysis, she combines analytical rigour with real societal needs. PhD candidate with a positive, professional approach.

danijela.paska@act-grupa.hr

Lejla Šehić Relić

Lejla Šehić Relić
Executive director DKolektiv
https://dkolektiv.hr

Lejla Šehić Relić is Co-Founder and Executive Director of DKolektiv, Co-Founder and President of the Croatian Volunteer Development Centre, and President of the Centre for European Volunteering (CEV), based in Brussels. With over 30 years of experience in civil society development, public policy and participatory approaches, work spans local, national and European contexts. Contributions include policy processes, strategic development and cross-sectoral cooperation. The focus of work is on values-based leadership, non-profit management, social cohesion, project design and EU funding . Lejla Šehić Relić holds a degree in Public Administration and a Master’s in Social Innovation and Management.

lejla.sehicrelic@dkolektiv.hr

Irena Konecki

Irena Konecki
Associate Professor
Faculty of Organization and Informatics, University of Zagreb
https://www.foi.unizg.hr/

Irena Konecki is an associate professor at the Department of Economics, Faculty of Organization and Informatics. She earned her PhD in 2015 at the University of Maribor, specializing in entrepreneurship research. Her scientific interests include social entrepreneurship, social innovation, entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurship education, and entrepreneurial infrastructure. She applies innovative teaching methods and combines academic and professional work through development projects.

irena.konecki@foi.unizg.hr