V4SDG Budapest Sustainability Exchange 2020 by Diana Modrakova

BUDAPEST SUSTAINABILITY EXCHANGE 23â&#x20AC;&#x201C;24 September 2020

CONFERENCE BOOKLET

PICK YOUR CONTENT REFLECTIONS 03 BY OUR PRESIDENT

PANEL DISCUSSION / OUTSMARTING POLLUTION

WORDS OF 04 SUSTAINABILITY

PANEL DISCUSSION / FINANCING THE GREEN TRANSITION

MEET US!

4 PILLARS OF V4SDG

RUMOUR HAS IT... 08

PANEL DISCUSSION / VISEGRAD FOR SUSTAINABILITY

PANEL DISCUSSION / GOING FAR TOGETHER

THROUGH THE EYES OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

PANEL DISCUSSION / PEOPLE POWER

PANEL DISCUSSION / TURNING WASTE INTO GOLD

BSE IN NUMBERS 20 PANEL DISCUSSION / PARLIAMENTS FOR SDGS

PANEL DISCUSSION / UNCONVENTIONAL ALLIANCES

PANEL DISCUSSION / GENERATION INNOVATION

PANEL DISCUSSION / 24 THE HIDDEN COSTS OF FOOD PANEL DISCUSSION / BRIDGING THE URBAN-RURAL DIVIDE

SPECIAL THANKS TO

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON CONNECT!

Photo and video credit: V4SDG, Photon, Visegrad Fund

Between 23rd and 24th September the first Budapest Sustainability Exchange took place, launching a cross-sectoral and cross-party reflection on green cooperation between the V4 countries. The two-day conference attracted hundreds of participants both in-person and virtually via Livestream, creating a unique, interactive forum for dialogue. The Exchange marked the finale to a series of events across the four countries, giving sustainability actors and young leaders the opportunity to discuss how and why the V4 must steer towards sustainability.

significant obstacles than their Western counterparts. In spite of these difficulties, the representatives agreed that the V4 lays a strong foundation for effective sustainability cooperation, both as an opportunity and a strategic interest.

The Budapest Sustainability Exchange convened a diverse range of speakers and representatives of sustainability who contributed to thought-provoking debates and lively discussions. In addition to high-level policy issues, the themes of climate anxiety, youth activism and sustainable living were Equally, the Exchange signified the beginning of a new chapter for V4SDG discussed with the same attention as smart cities, circular economies, cli– Visegrad for Sustainability. Being a collective network of young profes- mate protection and financing the green transition - along with their core sionals transforming regional sustainability affairs, V4SDG is now looking V4 aspects. towards joint action and practical implementation of our aspirations for a With the challenges facing our region in mind, V4SDG announced the launch V4 green transformation. of an online platform, CONNECT, for sustainability professionals and instiThe event was opened by András Volom, President of V4SDG, and Olga Al- tutions alike access to a multi-stakeholder platform to strengthen regional gayerova, UN Under-Secretary-General for Europe. They both warned that partnerships, exchanging information and manage collaborations. The onwhile the pandemic is paradoxically diverting attention away from sustain- line platform is home to the region’s first workshop community of young ability, there is a growing demand for urgent transition as our environmen- sustainability professionals, V4SDG LAB. This fast-growing group, which tal, social and economic structures deteriorate. “Sustainability cooperation already has more than 40 members, will contribute to V4 sustainability coand coordination should be included among the permanent priorities of operation with its own projects and intellectual products, first in the fields the Visegrad Group.” - remarked András Volom, reflecting on the fact that, of education, European policy and circular transitions. although the Polish Presidency Program for 2020/21 already includes a sustainability objective, full cooperation is not yet on the agenda. The UN András Volom Under-Secretary-General for Europe noted that because of the challengFounder and President es posed by the virus, “we need a stronger political commitment to the UN V4SDG - Visegrád for Sustainability 2030 goals than ever before”. The opening speeches were followed by a dialogue with representatives of the V4 governments, who unanimously agreed that sustainability is one of the greatest challenges facing the region. They pointed out that because of their historical disadvantages, the countries of the group are facing more

INSIDER / KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

REFLECTIONS BY OUR PRESIDENT

WORDS OF SUSTAINABILITY

MEET US!

Do you think Visegrad countries could do more for sustainability? Our answer is “YES”! Our non-profit initiative starts in an age when the question is not if sustainability should enjoy importance, but rather, how can it not be important?

Visegrad for Sustainability was created to become the organisation that paves the way towards the achievement of the SDGs in the V4 and with a strong intention to extend its benefits to the CEE region and the neighbourhood too. We practise an overarching, cross-sectoral principle and aim to become a melting pot of great young minds for meaningful match-making and sustainable results. To that end, V4SDG unites responsible actors from the public, private and civil sector in support of the Sustainable Development Goals via its four main projects: COMPASS: advocacy, LAB: a think tank, CONNECT: a networking platform, EXCHANGE: where all those minds can actually MEET.

SOLVING TODAY’S CHALLENGES WITH TOMORROW’S LEADERS - WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON THE V4 COUNTRIES.

Young professionals from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia are cautious that the V4 group is losing the momentum of being integrated into the global mainstream of sustainability affairs. What is more, we believe that it is in the region’s potential to look beyond its borders for an even broader scope and deeper impact.

LAB

EXCHANGE

CONNECT

COMPASS

The V4SDG LAB is the first expert community of the Visegrad Group built by dedicated young professionals - up to 40 years of age – with the aim of building a community that will be strong enough to be able to make an impact on the CEE region’s sustainability agendas. Our members span a wide range of stakeholder groups from the business, academic, governmental and civil sectors. What connects them is their will to place their knowledge, expertise, experience and reputation at the service of strengthening partnership and collaboration for sustainability in the Visegrad countries. In this regard, members develop and implement mid-term sustainability-focused projects or research covering all V4 countries that create visible outputs with measurable and communicable results under the umbrella of V4SDG. The Lab set to work in July 2020 and has currently 75 members.

V4SDG EXCHANGE is the project aiming to strengthen intersectoral dialogue and partnership between the sustainability actors across the V4 through in-person & online activities. Exchanging ideas and best practices will help us turn our region into a shaper of sustainable development for the benefit of the EU and beyond, taking a historical opportunity to reconstruct our relevance. In September 2020, the first Budapest Sustainability Exchange took place, launching a cross-sectoral and cross-party reflection on green cooperation between the V4 countries. The twoday conference, the highlights of which you can discover with the help of this booklet, attracted hundreds of participants both in-person and virtually via Livestream, creating a unique, interactive forum for dialogue. The BSE marked the finale to a series of events across the four countries, giving sustainability actors and young leaders the opportunity to discuss how and why the V4 must steer towards sustainability. Moreover, V4SDG Exchange also brings the sustainability discussion to the citizens of the region via online events, such as our Talk Series webinars discussing the interlinkages between the COVID-19 pandemic and sustainability as well as other online panel discussions highlighting topics being subjects of heated international discussions.

In line with our mission of strengthening partnerships for sustainability in the V4 countries and to facilitate the foundation of enhanced cooperation in the region we created the V4SDG CONNECT – the first online searchable network for experts and organisations working in the field of sustainability in the V4 and beyond. CONNECT aims to serve as the catalyst of sustainability in the Visegrád countries and in the wider CEE region by providing a platform where stakeholders from all sectors - academia, business, governmental and civil - working for sustainability can meet, share knowledge, engage in lively discussions on current sustainability related issues - and create joint projects. V4SDG CONNECT goes beyond the features of a professional networking platform: it offers a direct platform to launch projects and a working space of joint initiatives with partner organisations. V4SDG CONNECT welcomes individuals, experts and organisations working in the field of sustainability within the Visegrád region.

COMPASS helps to advance V4SDGs mission by shaping advocacy actions and developing sustainability solutions on the policy level. The project has coordinated drafting of the Visegrad Sustainability Cooperation Minimum - a call for a strengthened cooperation between the V4 countries on the achievement of the SDGs. Endorsed by a broad coalition of youth organisations, the document will serve as an advocacy tool presenting a new vision for the sustainability collaboration framework in the region. By mapping policy and governance environment in the V4 Compass addresses the key issues and proposes tangible solutions contributing to evolution of the V4 Group as a regional sustainability actor. LEARN MORE!

4 PILLARS OF V4SDG

RUMOUR HAS IT… “We are doing now what we should have done 20 years ago.”

“In the long run, we can only move forward in the global value chain if we build a sustainable and environmentally responsible industry.”

“Food security is a public good.”

“There is no general recipe for being smart or sustainable.”

“Agriculture is now a very modern and innovative industry now. But we have to increase competitiveness and incentivize farmers to embrace sustainability calls.”

“Climate activism is not a trend, it’s something we need to do for almost a lifetime.”

“Urban does not equate with industry and rural does not equate with agriculture.”

“There is too much interest in maintaining the business as usual model.”

“Individual action only matters with collective collaboration.”

“We need to restructure education to reflect our values.”

Tomasz Lonc, Consultant on Agricultural Economics and Policy (PL)

Katalin Cseh, MEP, Renew Europe (HU)

“Digital sustainability platforms are becoming the ecosystems of ecosystems.” Radoslav Mizera, Chief Innovation Officer, Solved (SK)

Samu Szemerey, Architect and Urbanist, Lechner Tudásközpont (HU)

Malgorzata Czachowska, Activist, Fridays for Future Silesia (PL)

Zoltán Pogátsa, Political Economist (HU)

Dávid Mezei, Director of Agricultural and EU Relations, Takarék Bank (HU)

“We need to start thinking in terms of systems and interlinkages, not falling into false narratives but rather rebuilding our existing systems.” Aneta Skubida, System Innovation Design Manager, EIT Climate-KIC (PL)

Benedek Jávor, former MEP (HU)

Peter Vigh, Project Manager, Másfél Fok (HU)

Barna Baráth, Founder, REAL School Budapest (HU)

Marek Nieduzak, Deputy State Secretary for Sustainable Development, Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology (PL)

INSIDER / KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Initiatives where competitors are getting together around certain standards to share knowledge and experience: this is the moment where we can make a change.

10 Keynote from Visegrad Fund by Edit Szilágyiné Bátorfi Why a regional fund goes beyond the region for sustainability and environmental protection? How cross-border, cross-sectorial cooperation addresses climate change?

Young generation feels responsible for the future. They see themselves playing an important role and they are worried about global issues. Business in general is concerned about climate change. They are under pressure and leaders feel their responsibility too. There is a lot of new regulation related to taxonomy, sustainable finance, access to capital, which is changing the options for investments in the future. Accordingly, businesses should show much higher transparency, management of risks, better usage of opportunities. Big4 announced stakeholder capitalism metrics and disclosures to compare achievements. This initiative inspires common thinking of the goals. Irena Pichola, Partner and Leader of the Sustainability Consulting Central Europe Team, Deloitte

COVID-19 left a deep impact, more and more people are being left behind. Now, more than ever the 2030 Agenda should remain our guiding light. Recovery from the crisis has been identified as an opportunity to create more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive societies. By the lines of the SDGs we can build back better. UNECE secures supply chains in line with circular economy without which we will not reach the affordable future that we want. We saw how suddenly COVID-19 crisis started. Climate change will cause hundreds of crises that will grow as fast. The pandemic and the sudden drop of emissions proved that we have the tools to mitigate a reverse climate change. International cooperation can minimize disruption. Without collaboration and coordination countries will often work for cross- purposes and miss synergies. Together we can build back better and reach the future we hope for. Olga Algayerova, Undersecretary, UNECE

System innovation is not only innovating in technology but the broad sense of human behaviour, structure of economy and education, perception of wellbeing. Change is something that is happening anyways, we should think about the processes, we should redesign approaches and in general each step we are taking. Systemic change is the key feature we should focus on. Diverse research and mapping methods are necessary. Co-designed, co-created with stakeholders and citizens. Through employing multiple levels of change we will be able to make a much deeper impact. Aneta Skubida, System Innovation Design Manager, EIT Climate-KIC

Young professionals are aware of the impact of businesses. COVID-19 made us see the interconnections and responsibilities. Leaders of European companies expressed their support to Green Deal and said: “no more business as usual”. Many big players globally and regionally are committing themselves to a transforming journey and they need to deliver results.

Same strong political will must be shown in tackling climate change, as shown during COVID-19.

VISEGRAD FOR SUSTAINABILITY

GOING FAR TOGETHER

Nóra Rodek, Head of Department, Ministry of Innovation and Technology (HU) Anna Paskova, Desk Officer, Ministry of Environment (CZ) Marek Nieduzak Deputy State Secretary for Sustainable Development, Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology (PL) Martin Majerech, Head Department, Central Coordination Body, Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization (SK) MODERATOR: Lilla Bartuszek, Exchange Lead, V4SDG (HU)

Radoslav Mizera, Chief Innovation Officer, Solved (SK), Mark Turner, Director of Communications, Carnegie Climate Governance Initiative (C2G) (UK) Nadege Lharaig, Project Coordinator, Make Europe Sustainable for All, European Environmental Bureau (FR) MODERATOR: Krisztina Zalnoky, Board Member, V4SDG (HU)

Tapping the Opportunities of Sustainability Cooperation in the V4

V4 IS AN IMMENSE SOURCE OF COOPERATION POSSIBILITIES. The 2030 Agenda is a challenge for some V4 countries, due to their industrial heritage. On the other hand, investors and decision makers start to diversify their businesses - meaning they could move production to competitive V4 countries. Hence the crisis can be a big opportunity, especially for Poland. It was stated that Hungary performed average on achieving the goals. However, over the last 5 years a positive change can be seen in SDG 8,1, 2, and 11. Hungary’s key challenge is to develop and grow despite the pandemic. It is promising that sustainability gained momentum in the Polish V4 Presidency Programme. Main priorities of Hungary’s agenda are tree planting initiative; enlarging solar capacities; affordable electric cars and bicycles; social pillar: family policy, empowering, turning around the demographic trend, education, awareness raising. Czech Republic was introduced as part of top 10 countries in implementation of SGDs, where climate action and poverty is top priority. Slovakia considers sustainable development as a duty towards next generations. Areas where V4 can do the most together to achieve the goals:

• electro mobility–to lower emissions in transport sector; • common water management; • joint awareness raising campaigns; • joint research publications.

We need an overarching strategy with clear and measurable targets. Communication and identifying the goal is a key first step to build up a shared learning basis before having collaborations. Innovation to generate new jobs in the face of global megatrends of robotisation and automation. Amazing initiatives exist but we are missing an infrastructure to connect the different projects at a local, regional, European, and global level. What are the challenges of collaboration? Panellists pointed at institutions, which are questioned to be still fit for the purpose; the complexity of the issues that needs to be looked at as one system and industrial heritage. Messages to governments included the necessity of reforming the monitoring and reporting cycle to include and integrate sustainability; smart city development; and empowered citizens involved in local problem solving. Among best practices for intersectoral collaboration and unconventional alliances they mentioned C40 as a platform to bring together the economically most important cities to propose the best solutions; Finland’s stakeholder engagement processes, civil society and government partnerships to measure progress and impact; using games; climate interactions, buttons on increasing taxes, technologies to see how it affects the global temperature; training journalists on SDGs to reorient media thus enabling a broader approach and reach. They posed: can we come together to collaboratively solve a collective problem while achieving individual goals? Finally, regarding digitalisation and technologies they called the attention on the importance of maintaining the balance and complementarity between the real and digital worlds.

By competing we can motivate each other, but cooperation is also key. Sustainable development must lie in the heart of all public policies. Partnerships are essential to find just solutions.

Enhancing intersectoral collaboration for sustainability

THROUGH THE EYES OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

PEOPLE POWER

TURNING WASTE INTO GOLD

Dániel Mikecz, Political Scientist, Movements Researcher, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HU) Katalin Cseh, MEP, Renew Europe (HU) Malgorzata Czachowska, Activist, Fridays for Future Silesia (PL) Peter Vigh, Project Manager, Másfél Fok (HU) MODERATOR: Edina Budai, Project Development Manager, PANNON Green Power Ltd. (HU)

Igor Kos, Consultant, Wcycle (SI) Emese Pancsa, CEO, Compocity (HU) Éva Vargová, Marketing and Loyalty Specialist, Promod (HU) MODERATOR: Logan Strechock, Co-founder, Cargonomia (USA)

Building sustainability activism beyond protest

What can a person/civil society do beyond protesting? Choose something that resonates with you and your situation/community; have a dialogue with people, show the truth! Bigger media attention and changing individual behaviour are key to keep activism alive. Environmentalism is a lifestyle movement, and it’s often about changing consumption patterns. But changing politics through lifestyle is an individual form of participation, not a collective one. Public shaming and targeting decision-makers is a good practice, while it is also important to reach politicians. Both local and international activism are necessary, claimed panellists, because they have different effects, and both are equally important. We need to think globally and use the EU’s market power. Emissions do not stop at borders, they reminded. The global movement can help us unite and take care and look out for our society. The power of social media and celebrities was praised but other tools are also needed to keep engagement and commitment in the long run, they said. Finally, they debated whether legislation is the best recipe against climate deniers or is it more productive to focus our energies on people who haven’t decided yet, not on convincing deniers?

Produce when the demand is there, not before but after. Buy less and buy better. Copy the oldest principle that exists in the natural system: nature doesn’t produce waste. Circular economy sounds like a win-win situation but are we doing something new or are we just repackaging business as usual? Panellists agreed that a step by step approach can result in a great impact on the environment. They stressed the immense importance of communication and education of customers. Customers should be aware of what kind of material they are buying and should be informed about what they can personally do. Through education the mindset can be changed from a “onenight-stand” into a fully conscious customer model. Panellists recalled that 75% of imported textile is wasted in the EU and the applicable laws are weak, while many entities are not brave enough to change. Therefore, eco-ethical production was shown as a good objective: use local producers or deliver from far but more. Besides, reusing and reselling enjoys crucial importance. A major challenge is that we are not willing to make changes that affect our daily lives, they claimed. Solar panels are too far from us but electric cars, composting bins are showing a good trend, they bring sustainability closer to the people and can make results clearly visible. Bottom-up approach is a must in partnerships and exchanges: for better funding, better regulation, and better knowledge!

Our elective leaders are our elective followers, if there is a movement, they will follow. In the end, it is all about laws and legislation. One of the most important stakeholders is mainstream media.

Circular Economy solutions for competitiveness

OUTSMARTING POLLUTION

Smart city solutions for improved air quality

FINANCING THE GREEN TRANSITION

How can our region turn the European Green Deal to its benefit? Alexandra Köves Associate Professor, Corvinus University Budapest (HU) Samu Szemerey, Architect and Urbanist, Lechner Tudásközpont (HU) Aneta Skubida, System Innovation Design Manager, EIT Climate-KIC (PL) MODERATOR: Krisztina Fekete, Researcher (HU)

Sustainable energy is the energy we are not using. Redefine work and values, start shifting from material welfare to well-being, if we do this, air pollution will reduce itself. Individual responsibility: real shift happens here.

Panellists talked about psychology, culture, and practical solutions. Air pollution is getting less attention due to industrial emissions, but still a problem for every city. Modernized heating systems can contribute to the solution, while pedestrian mobility needs to be structurally and infrastructurally improved. Institutions were criticized for playing a ping pong game, not focusing on common action. We need flexible institutions and a rapid institutional change. Air pollution was named as a symptom of a system that is not working. Paradigm shift, setting priorities and changing societal spaces are necessary. Working less, moving less, consuming less: these are the main priorities. We should enable functional shifts: utilize rooftops for energy production, community spaces and greenery. Sustainability and change are about the redistribution of resources. The key players in the smart city arena are sustainability and quality of life. Motivate people through incentives, better quality, or by law! People do have the possibility to make better choices, unless they ignore the problem. Community projects should be scaled up, there is a need for serious collective actions. Co-create the change: don’t let it be designed just by lawmakers!

Without divestment from the traditional unsustainable industry the necessary change is not going to happen. We do not only need subsidies, but at the same time we need to make sure that the products are properly priced in the economy. Regulation is primary: it should support green finance. “Green” financing? We have financing, and financing can contribute to sustainability or not. Panellists discussed the major change in public opinion as a political game changer and the companies’ growing openness to investing into green technologies. They talked about the V4 commercial banks’ raising attention to sustainable finances and local agencies’ eyes kept on minimalizing greenwashing. The EU’s revolutionary 60% increase was welcomed by panellists, but they also warned whether it was realistic, especially in the unsustainably financed agricultural sector. Panellists were optimistic about the success of green bonds in the long run but reminded that it requires solid governmental incentives. When talking about green financing and green services we must always think about the whole life cycle of the products, they recalled. Regulation needs to support green finance because otherwise the reallocation of capital to green projects will not happen. They emphasized that the state must have a very clear strategy about where to go, and different kinds of regulations must be in harmony with each other. It is highly important to know what we are aiming for, so we do not make more damage with intervention. The state should invest directly and be a major market player e.g. in energy or transportation sectors.

What does it mean to emit less? Behavioural change, explorational change? Are we for the economy or the economy is for us?

Gergő Wider, Manager, KPMG (HU) Gábor Gyura, Head of the Sustainable Finance Department, The Central Bank of Hungary (HU) Benedek Jávor, former MEP (HU) Barnabas Acs, Refinitiv’s Global Sales Readiness Director for Sustainable Finance (HU) MODERATOR: Anna Vindics, Economist, OECD (HU)

ON-SITE ATTENDEES

PARLIAMENTS FOR SDGS

Driving transformation through legislation

100+ ONLINE ATTENDEES

SPEAKERS

PARTICIPANTS + FROM COUNTRIES

We have a proportionate responsibility when it comes to sustainability: countries cannot solve their issues on their own, international aspects and interlinkages should be considered. The legislative framework needs to be open to innovations as well as it needs to encourage the frontrunners to improve. Individual change is not enough, we need to change the system, not forgetting that we are the system.

SPEAKERS FROM COUNTRIES

PANEL DISCUSSIONS

ONLINE SESSIONS

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

Panellists agreed that all stakeholders play an important role when it comes to the implementation of the SDGs. The question might arise whether agreements between corporations and other actors can replace the regulatory framework. It was explained that even though international companies can play a decisive role, we cannot disregard the importance of proper functioning legislative frameworks. The legislative framework needs to be opened to innovations and needs to encourage the frontrunners to improve. The challenges of the three-dimensional approach of the SDGs was highlighted and it was criticized that decision-makers tend to put greater emphasis on economic-related goals, however it would be imperative to regard the sustainability framework as an interlinked set of goals. Besides the conventional “hard legal tools”, soft tools, should also be considered essential part of the legislative processes. Having a non-aggressive approach could be the key to achieve long-term success when trying to persuade the decision makers. According to the experts, advocating for long-term visions, instead of thinking in election cycles in terms of implementation agendas would also be a stepping stone in accelerating the sustainability discussion and action worldwide.

The SDGs are a robust framework around which parliaments can base their strategic plans and pursue their own oversight and accountability work.

Martin Hojsik, Member of the European Parliament for Slovakia, Renew Europe – Progresívne Slovensko (SK), Tomas Tomilinas, Member of the Lithuanian Seimas, Deputy Chairman of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LT), Dr. Tibor Faragó, Professor of Environmental Sciences and Multilateral Cooperation, Former State Secretary for Climate and Environmental Policy in Hungary (HU), Michael Bueno, Former Coordinator of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (US), David Ulvr, Legislative Assistant, Czech Chamber of Deputies, Member of Youth SpeakUP (CZ), MODERATOR: András Volom, Co-founder and president of V4SDG – Visegrad for Sustainability (HU)

BSE IN NUMBERS

UNCONVENTIONAL ALLIANCES What could the greatest polluters do for sustainability?

Zsófi Beck, Partner, Boston Consulting Group (HU) Ada Ámon, Mayor’s Climate Advisor, City Hall Budapest (HU) Ferenc Kis, Renewable Energy Business Development Director, RSK Europe (HU) MODERATOR: Máté Olti, Co-Founder, Green Policy Center (HU)

Could the largest energy and fuel giants be the engine of fighting climate change? How can we reach the 2030 and 2050 targets? In huge cities the buildings are the biggest polluters. Their modernization could contribute to 2050 achievements. What a consultant company can do? Decrease emissions by supplying electricity demand of offices from RES, cut travel costs and neutralize all emissions. Geothermal energy was also mentioned as a replacement of gas. Mayors are working with local corporations on offsetting for greening Budapest and on zoning systems to ease the infrastructure during rush hours. Aviation was strongly criticized for not taking its fair share and for not changing their business model. The example of Poland, allowing municipalities to decide whether they want to have windfarms in their vicinity was praised. There were concerns regarding corporations’ sustainable rebranding approaches for not being realized in many cases. RES in V4? On the west side of the region’s border the share of RES is 50%, in V4 only 20%. This will raise technical issues on the two sides of the coal - instead of iron - curtain. The baseload type of mindset in energy management locks evolution. All V4 countries are basically blocking wind development, while solar is a driver in Hungary.

Which new approaches to education could bring about a generation of sustainability innovators?

Barna Baráth, Founder, REAL School Budapest (HU) Matej Sapák, Principal, Leaf Academy (SK) George Greskovits, Founder, Milestone Institute (HU) Zuzana Sojková, Ambassador, Teach for Slovakia (SK) MODERATOR: Federika Fait, Board member, V4SDG

We need everyone to be a sustainable thinker. Reset culture and society to naturally promote and activate innovation. In terms of system reform, inclusivity is essential to broadening access to opportunity. Sustainable education is one of the greatest challenges we are facing and the key to changing mindsets and producing a generation of creative, adaptable, and innovative people. And in the end innovation is the solution to increasing the quality of education. How do we measure preparedness for life? Do we look at explaining a journey, making a difference in their lives or rather look at standardised testing? Young people must be comfortable and confident in themselves before they can impact change in their communities and families. Small changes begin within the families and can slowly grow to a larger scale. For real change, the generation growing up now will have to advocate and confront those in power to make a difference, that doesn’t absolve responsibility on the older generation but encourages it to increase the pressure on decision-makers. We must recognise our responsibility in making change both desirable and possible. We must radically change what we think is valuable in society. We must invest in the community that surrounds our children during the day, be this the school, community, or friends. While matching the theoretical and practical elements to give students and adaptable foundation of knowledge, education should focus on 21st-century skills: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity.

Investment into RES or EE creates more than twice as many jobs compared to fossil fuel sectors. Some companies want to drive the evolution and not the revolution of the energy industry. Governments should allow the development of wind. Otherwise the power mix will not be healthy enough.

GENERATION INNOVATION

THE HIDDEN COST OF FOOD

How can we design sustainable and competitive agriculture while protecting biodiversity?

Sustainability is a long-term issue; political thinking is short term. Competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability are areas that should be developed together. Biodiversity is not an obstacle but a resource to production. The problem with transition is always the lack of alternatives - hence investment is crucial to drive research and product development. Panellists expressed diverse criticism against farm to fork targets. Some claimed that farmers would go on a strike and it requires major investments. For the industry it is a challenge to reduce production in 10 years, however due to public pressure they started transition way before the Green Deal. The finance sector is looking at the possibilities, such as precision farming. There were concerns though that reducing food production is contradictory with zero hunger goal. Regarding research and innovation, they said that this is a perfect period for agricultural research with massive amounts of investment - the challenge is how to use it smartly. Good examples were drawn, such as a V4 cluster, which changed cultivation heritage completely and enriched the landscape via biodiversity programs. Similarly, investing in digital and precision farming was welcomed. They reminded that there is minimal cooperation among associations in the V4. Short supply chains were called important, but they have a limited impact and require a lot of financial support. Who will pay the price of going sustainable? The low-income, food importer countries are the most vulnerable, and the taxpayers will only tolerate it if they benefit from the impact. Advices included the resurrection of farmer cooperatives and more exchange of replicable practices.

Cultivating sustainability partnerships between cities and the countryside innovators?

Zoltán Pogátsa, Political Economist (HU) Andrew Cartwright, Research Fellow, The Center for Policy Studies (UK) MODERATOR: Lili Balogh, Deputy Secretary-General at Védegylet Egyesület (HU)

When we think of healthy social and economic connections the focus should be on towns rather than cities. Land abandonment is much more of a problem than urban sprawl. You must allow people real self-governance. In Serbia, a postman was trained to be a doctor as the clinic was too far away from the settlement… Any other ideas? Rural areas are much more successful and sustainable in a country of small towns, not cities. Panellists emphasized the increasing problem of abandoned land, leading to economic decay, environmental hazard. They discussed the role of EU ecosystem funds and criticized their heavy bureaucracy, which discourages farmers to apply from them. It was recalled that 1% of GNI is redistributed in the EU, out of which member states can finance common agriculture policy. In Western Europe rural areas survive due to social redistribution, in Eastern Europe redistribution rates are much lower and in V4 not a single political party is eager to change this, they claimed. Then, they discussed the options of making rural areas more attractive to young people. High quality education was mentioned as a key, as well as the role of other anchor institutions, that give the idea of the future. Centralization should start from the small villages to bigger units, which will help them survive, based on the Portuguese model, they said. Panellists stated that big landowners can be source of local investment and that there is a need for growth in the non-farm sector.

Rozália Pecze, Manager of Sustainability Programs in Europe and Africa, Syngenta (HU) Tomasz Lonc, Consultant on Agricultural Economics and Policy (PL) Dávid Mezei, Director of Agricultural and EU Relations, Takarék Bank (HU) Ákos Kristóf, Head of Unit, Department for Agricultural Research and Agri-Environmental Management, Ministry of Agriculture (HU) Julianna Nagy, Advisory board member, V4SDG (HU)

BRIDGING THE URBAN– RURAL DIVIDE

SPECIAL THANKS TO

IS THIS THE END? NOT AT ALL! VISEGRAD FUND

The Fund is an international donor organization, established in 2000 by the governments of the Visegrad Group countries—Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to promote regional cooperation in the Visegrad region as well as between the V4 and other countries, especially in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions. Visegrad Fund’s vision is that grants, scholarships and residencies will become the catalyst for the advancement of innovative ideas in Central and Eastern Europe.

EIT Climate-KIC is a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC), working to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy. Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, EIT Climate-KIC identifies and supports innovation that helps society mitigate and adapt to climate change. EIT Climate KIC’ mission is to catalyse systemic change through innovation in areas of human activity that have a critical impact on greenhouse gas emissions and to create climate resilient communities.

NATIONAL TALENT PROGRAM

V4SDG honours funds received in the framework of grant application program NTPTFV-19 of the National Talent Program under the Ministry of Human Resources of Hungary. The strategic goal of the National Talent Program is to develop and socially utilize the skills of talented young people. Grant applications of the National Talent Program are operated by the Human Resources Fund Management Agency.

PHOTON

Do you find the BSE photos and videos just awesome, such as we do? Visual memories of the BSE were delivered by Photon, the affordable and professional photo- and videography agency.

MAKE CONNECTIONS

Share, engage, create

Build alliances, recruit people, seek experts for advice.

SET UP PROJECTS Join the multi-stakeholder network of sustainability actors in the Visegrad Gropu.

Launch a project on Connect, work with members on it.

NGOs, businesses, academia, the public sector and youth aboard, open to individuals and institutions alike.

Share ideas, have them debated, get diverse feedback.

SHARE KNOWLEDGE ORGANISE EVENTS

Use our platform to target and acivate your audience.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON CONNECT!

CLICK TO CONNECT

EIT CLIMATE-KIC

CONNECT