Private sector partners in creating better opportunities for every child

Belgrade, 27 May 2026 – At a time when children and young people are facing increasingly complex challenges, from climate change and digital risks to unequal access to support services, partnerships between government institutions, the private sector and international organisations are becoming more important than ever. This is why UNICEF, as part of this year’s CSR Conference, organised the discussion “Partnerships as Drivers of Social and Systemic Change”.

The conference was opened by UNICEF Serbia Deputy Representative Carole Vignaud, alongside senior representatives of the Government of Serbia and the diplomatic community. “Sustaining progress for children increasingly depends on governments, businesses, international organisations, academia and local communities working together. For the past 80 years, globally and in Serbia, UNICEF has partnered with all stakeholders guided by one principle: every child deserves a fair chance in life,” said Carole Vignaud.

The panel discussion, featuring representatives of the private sector, brought together UNICEF partners, including representatives of Grundfos, Yettel, Nelt Group and Serbian mountaineer Aleksandar Milosavljević, who spoke about how long-term and strategic partnerships can contribute to improving education, digital inclusion, mental health, climate resilience and equal opportunities for every child.

“Today, the private sector plays a key role in creating an environment in which every child can reach their full potential. Partnerships with companies matter because of the knowledge sharing, innovation, expertise and influence they bring in shaping the world children will grow up in. When the private sector invests in children and young people, it invests in the future workforce, stability, more resilient communities and the sustainable development of society as a whole. That is why the private sector remains our long-term ally,” said Jelena Kovačević from UNICEF Serbia. When we ensure that every child, regardless of where they are born, has an equal opportunity to learn and thrive, we reduce economic inequality and create better prospects for entire generations, she added.

Aleksandar Milosavljević presented his upcoming Manaslu expedition dedicated to premature babies, highlighting how important support and solidarity are from the very beginning of a child’s life, and how personal motivation is the greatest driving force. “Just as no one can survive and reach the summit alone on expeditions above 8,000 metres, there can be no real and sustainable success in business without strong social responsibility. UNICEF is the key partner that brings together courageous companies around the noblest goal, directing the strength and resources of business to where they are needed most. When elite sport and visionary companies stand alongside such an organisation, we are not only conquering mountains and markets, but changing lives together,” said Milosavljević.

Marko Milanković, Communications Director at Nelt Group, spoke about the company’s investment in education and support programmes for schools and school principals focused on developing leadership and management skills. “Through its strategic partnership with UNICEF, Nelt Group focuses on developing digital and practical skills, while also creating opportunities for young people to gain early insight into how working environments function and which competencies are expected from them. It is important that links with the business sector are not occasional, but systematically organised through structured internships, mentoring and work on real-life projects. Learning through practice must complement, not replace, general education, which remains the foundation for developing critical thinking and long-term adaptability. For Nelt, investing in education is not only a social responsibility, but a long-term investment in the development of labour markets and the communities in which we operate,” said Milanković.

More than 14 years of partnership with UNICEF in the field of digital safety and inclusion were presented by Milica Begenišić, ESG Manager at Yettel, who also reflected on programmes aimed at improving the digital skills of children, teachers and parents, and creating a safer digital environment for children and young people. “Children’s safety in the digital environment, as well as the development of digital knowledge and skills, is today a shared responsibility of the entire society. Our long-standing partnership with UNICEF has delivered concrete and measurable results in educating children, parents and teachers, which is why we continue to invest in initiatives that contribute to the safer and more responsible use of digital technologies,” said Begenišić.

Dijana Prohaska from Grundfos reflected on how climate change affects the most vulnerable communities, as well as how local communities can become more resilient by involving young people in creating sustainable solutions. “Young people are ready to cooperate and, more than that, they want to actively participate in addressing key challenges such as water, climate change and sustainability. Our experience during the project has shown that when they are given space and genuinely included, they become important partners in creating solutions for local communities. Through Grundfos volunteering programmes, we are also strengthening a culture of responsibility and connecting employees with the purpose of our work. We believe sustainable progress is created through the combination of technology and people, and young people together with engaged employees are key drivers of such change,” said Prohaska.

The panel participants sent a joint message that the decisions we make today are shaping the future and the world we leave to children and young people.