consolid8 Festival is an initiative developed by fonduri-structurale.ro that brings changemakers and leaders from across sectors together, in one vibrant space, to consolidate the social innovation ecosystem and the economic resilience of the organisations.
On 19-20 June, Bucharest was a hub for social innovation changemakers, hosting the 3rd edition of consolid8 Festival, where over 300 top leaders from business, academia, civil society, and the public sector highlighted the importance of green technologies, artificial intelligence, and urban design working together to help cities and organizations tackle climate challenges.
International speakers brought complementary perspectives and practical solutions for the sustainable transformation of cities and organizations — from generative AI to reduce carbon footprints, to resilient urban design, European funding opportunities, sustainable leadership models, and ecosystem building mechanisms for long-term social impact.
Representatives from the National Competence Centers for Social Innovation in Romania, Italy, Slovenia, Greece, and Croatia discussed social innovation progress in their countries and the key factors contributing to its development.
- Danijela Paska – researcher and social impact specialist at ACT Group, centered on public policies and their impact on individuals
- Tadej Slapnik – CEO at HashNET Slovenia, actively involved in development and smart regulation of blockchain technology
- Raluca Prelucă – Partner & Senior consultant at fonduri-structurale.ro, expert on EU funds
- Marianna Kondylidou – Head of Operations and Senior socioeconomic expert at SED Consultants PC
- Gianluca Salvatori – Vice President of the National Center for Social Innovation (Italy) and an active member of European Commission and UN working groups on the topic of the social economy.
Valuable insight was offered by a wide range of experts, including Maks Giordano, an awarded global strategist with innovation projects for Apple, Lego, and Mercedes; Ryan Grant Little, climatetech investor and co-founder of StormFisher Biogas; Yorick Debeus, expert on securing funding for decarbonization initiatives and green technologies, and many others.
The festival agenda featured two focus areas: Transform from within: How to scale sustainable innovation and manage strategic change; and Impact by design: How to generate transformation through urban initiatives, organisational culture, and civic engagement.
By bringing together diverse stakeholders, sharing actionable insights, and fostering collaboration, consolid8 festival set the stage for ongoing sustainable social innovation across Eastern Europe.
