On April 23, 2026, the international conference “Catalyst for Change in Sustainable Systems and Business Transformation” was held at the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, as the closing event of the four-year Erasmus+ project CATALYST.

The conference was organized by the Institute for Research in Environment, Civil engineering and Energy (IECE), in cooperation with partners from Austria, Germany, Greece and Portugal, and brought together international experts, representatives from the business sector, educational institutions, policymakers and civil society.

Focus on Sustainable Transformation and Skills for the Future

The goal of the conference was to explore how excellence in vocational education and training, together with innovation and business transformation, can accelerate the transition to a sustainable and circular economy.

The event opened with a welcoming speech by the founder of IECE, Prof. Dr. Slavica Trajkovska, who emphasized that today’s global challenges — particularly those related to natural resources, sustainability and technological change — require a fundamental transformation in the way we think and act. She stressed that the shift from a linear to a knowledge- and collaboration-based economy is essential, with integrative approaches, new learning models and n-helix cooperation between academia, business and institutions playing a key role. In this context, IECE positions itself as a bridge between science and practice, contributing to the development of sustainable solutions and supporting business transformation as a prerequisite for long-term development and well-being.

Prof. Dr. Angelina Taneva-Veshoska presented the CATALYST project — a European Centre of Excellence in Vocational Education and Training — which, over the four years, produced significant results, including a digital learning platform available at catalystplatform.net, with over 70 courses and 25 resources.

Leading World Experts with a Vision for the Future

The conference was distinguished by plenary lectures from renowned international experts.

Prof. Dr. Wayne Visser, one of the world’s leading experts in sustainable business and transformational leadership, founder of CSR International and professor of sustainability at the University of Cambridge, author of over 40 books, delivered an inspiring lecture titled “The Age of Alchemy – 10 Technologies, 10 Years, One Planet to Save,” presenting the key technological and systemic changes that will shape the future of business and society. He noted that organizations must transition from traditional models to integrated, innovative and sustainable systems if they wish to remain relevant.

Prof. Dr. Phoebe Kounduri, a globally recognized economist and expert in sustainable development, in her presentation “Competencies for a Sustainable Future,” highlighted the crucial role of education and interdisciplinary skills in addressing global challenges. She stressed that future generations must be prepared not only with technical knowledge, but also with systems thinking, analytical capabilities and responsible leadership.

From Strategy to Implementation

The programme included two panel discussions.

The first panel, “Sustainable Systems and Business Transformation: From Strategy to Action,” focused on the transition from strategies to concrete solutions and implementation. Speakers included:

• Prof. Dr. Viktorija Trajkov, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of European Affairs
• Prof. Dr. Elena Dumova-Jovanoska, Full Professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, UKIM
• Mr. Vlatko Ivanov, Director General at the Civil Engineering Institute MACEDONIA
• Prof. Dr. Wayne Visser, Professor at the University of Cambridge

The second panel, “Excellence in Education: Skills for Sustainable Transformation,” was dedicated to the role of education in developing skills for the green and digital transition. Speakers included:

• Prof. Dr. Angelina Taneva-Veshoska, Director of the Institute for Research in Environment, Construction and Energy
• Prof. Dr. Vlatko Vitanov, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, UKIM
• Mr. Dejan Čupovski, Team Leader for Vocational Education at AHK North Macedonia, part of the German Chambers of Commerce

Additionally, a poster session was organized showcasing best business practices.

The conference concluded with a clear message: sustainable transformation is not a choice, but a necessity, and the key to success lies in knowledge, collaboration and innovation.

The event served as a powerful platform for knowledge exchange, networking and the creation of new partnerships, laying a solid foundation for future initiatives in the field of sustainable development and business transformation.