February 18, 2026 – The cross-border conference “Bridge of Energy” was held today in Zaprešić, bringing together representatives of politics, science, professional sectors and local communities from Croatia and Slovenia. The event aimed to exchange knowledge and open dialogue on how small destinations can respond to the major challenges of sustainability, energy and tourism. The conference was organised within the framework of the ENVIRO project, focused on developing sustainable solutions that connect tourism, energy and environmental protection, with Oikon taking part in the programme as a project partner.
The discussions centred on four key areas that increasingly shape local development: sustainability in tourism and the role of smaller destinations, renewable energy sources as the foundation of local resilience, accessible tourism and the inclusion of vulnerable groups, and the value of cross-border cooperation in creating long-term solutions. The conference raised an important question of how tourism can become a tool for socially responsible development, rather than merely an economic activity, with a clear message that change can be implemented faster in smaller communities, but only through good planning and alignment with local needs and the natural limitations of the area.
Oikon’s Director, Dalibor Hatić, took part in the panel discussion “Energy and Sustainability as Development Potentials”, where he highlighted the importance of the ENVIRO project, noting that although it is primarily a tourism project, it is especially valuable because it also includes key sustainability topics – energy and ecology. The panel also included Sebastijan Seme, Dean of the Faculty of Energy Engineering at the University of Maribor, Julije Domac, Director of REGEA, and Ivana Alilović, Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board, moderated by Siniša Topalović from Horwath HTL. The discussion confirmed that renewable energy sources are a key component of local resilience, but also that development must be based on the realistic capacity of the area and the protection of natural values.
As part of the conference, an ENVIRO zone was also organised, where participants had the opportunity to explore the project through practical examples and discussions with project partners.
