In the context of growing requirements for non-financial reporting and the transition to a low-carbon economy, family businesses in Bulgaria are looking for ways to integrate ESG criteria into their long-term strategies. On March 12 in Sofia, the Second National Forum on Sustainable Family Growth will bring together international experts and business leaders to discuss sustainability not as an administrative burden, but as a strategic asset for preserving family capital. ESGnews.bg is a media partner of the event.
Organized by the Family Business Network (FBN) Bulgaria and the Impact community, the forum will focus on impact investing. A key speaker in this area will be Dr. James Gifford from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, a visionary and founder of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment. He will present a methodology for building portfolios that generate financial returns while addressing specific environmental and social challenges, while also providing tools for recognizing and avoiding greenwashing practices.
The topic of corporate governance and adaptation will be presented through the lens of the Italian group De Agostini. Edoardo Boroli, member of the board of De Agostini Editore Holding, will reveal how disciplined diversification and asset management in sectors such as media and education help preserve family values across generations.
The financial aspect of ESG transformation will be analyzed by PwC Bulgaria experts Julian Mihov and Alexandra Danailova. They will examine how capital markets evaluate family businesses based on their ESG maturity and how synchronizing a sustainable strategy with financial goals facilitates access to green financing in a changing regulatory environment.
As part of its commitment to sustainable development, FBN Bulgaria will present for the first time the IMPACT AWARD. The award aims to highlight good examples of family businesses that successfully incorporate social and environmental goals into their DNA. The winner will be selected by an independent expert jury with the participation of Assoc. Prof. Marina Stefanova (Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”) and representatives of PwC and the Impact community.
The forum is a place where heirs and owners of capital can define their role in the process of sustainable transformation by learning about inheritance management tools that meet contemporary standards for effectiveness and transparency. This format is key for leaders who want to turn ESG indicators into a real tool for competitiveness and longevity in family businesses.
