We participated in the international event ‘Expanding Across Borders: Growing Your Business in CEE’, held in Bucharest on 17–18 November 2025 as part of the Transformator Croatia program, launched under the Sustainable Futures initiative with the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation. The event brought together entrepreneurs, experts, and organizations that create social and environmental value through sustainability across Central and Eastern Europe.
As a participant in the Transformator Croatia program, Humana Nova won the grand prize for the best sustainable idea at the regional level. This is an important recognition of our long-term work in integrating people with disabilities into the workforce, responsible textile production, and textile waste management, as well as a confirmation that social entrepreneurship is highly valued at the international level.
Participation in Panels: Challenges and Opportunities of Expanding Business in the CEE Region
The event began with two panels featuring experts from various sectors. The first panel focused on what is truly needed for successful business expansion in the CEE region, highlighting the importance of:
- authentic, long-term relationships with partners
- a deep understanding of customer needs,
- alignment with market, climate, and administrative requirements,
- the importance of certification and sustainability as a competitive advantage.
The second panel focused on financial and institutional resources for the SME sector, with insights from representatives of the European Commission, the banking sector, and sustainability experts.
Pitch Competition: 10 Innovators, One Prize
As part of the program, a pitching session was held where 10 entrepreneurs from the CEE region presented their sustainable solutions. Humana Nova showcased its new initiative – investment in an industrial plotter for pattern cutting, a technology that enables:
- digital printing of pattern templates,
- greater precision in production,
- significant reduction of textile waste,
- faster and more efficient production preparation,
- reduction of manual labor in the pattern-making stage.
This investment modernizes our production process and further enhances our contribution to the circular economy.
Humana Nova Wins a €5,000 Award
We are proud to announce that we have won the Grand Prize for 2025 – €5,000, in recognition of our innovation and social impact. The prize will be invested in enhancing our sustainable and socially responsible production.
This is further confirmation that a business model combining social impact, environmental responsibility, and the circular economy can be competitive, sustainable, and recognized at both regional and international levels.
Gratitude and a Look Ahead
Thanks to the program organizers, Social Innovation Solutions and HUKI – Croatian Office for Creativity and Innovation, who implement this program in Croatia, for this opportunity and encouragement for progress, growth, and development. The program is carried out with the support of the Coca-Cola Foundation as the founding partner and Erste Bank as the main partner.
Let’s move forward together towards an even stronger social and environmental impact..
