At COTRUGLI Business School, we have long believed that the future of sustainable economic growth lies at the intersection of education, innovation, and technology. This vision has been powerfully reinforced by our close collaboration with HashNET—a leading blockchain initiative poised to revolutionize digital infrastructure across Europe and beyond. A strategic dialogue organized by UNDP in Brussels recently brought together a diverse group of stakeholders committed to advancing emerging technologies and driving structural change in the Western Balkans. Among the distinguished participants were representatives from renowned blockchain organizations, including the Stellar Development Foundation, Ethereum Foundation, Solana Labs, Algorand Foundation, Cardano Foundation, Celo, and Metis.
During this dynamic event, our COTRUGLI and HashNET leaders, Drazen Kapusta, Principal, and Tadej Slapnik, our visionary Chief Executive Officer, were honored with invitations to join the UNDP Blockchain Advisory Board. Their inclusion on this board—alongside leaders from the major blockchain foundations—underscores the strategic importance of our work and affirms COTRUGLI’s and HashNET’s commitment to nurturing transformative digital ecosystems. This advisory board is tasked with guiding the implementation of blockchain solutions that promote financial inclusion, transparent governance, and sustainable impact aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
For COTRUGLI Business School, this opportunity is much more than a prestigious appointment; it is a call to action. With a rich legacy in fostering entrepreneurial talent and innovation, we now have an even greater mandate to equip a new generation of leaders with the skills to harness blockchain technology for social and economic transformation. Through an ambitious program of COTRUGLI boot camps, hackathons, and MBA programs, we empower future entrepreneurs and impact-driven teams to develop solutions that address local and global challenges. In this way, our participation in the UNDP Blockchain Advisory Board elevates our strategic influence. It ensures that our educational initiatives align with the cutting-edge practices and trends driving the digital revolution.
This partnership, anchored in the collective expertise of our board members and advisory partners from leading blockchain organizations, marks a significant milestone in our journey. It positions COTRUGLI Business School—and, by extension, the broader educational and innovation ecosystem—as a key contributor to a future where technology is leveraged to create lasting societal benefits. In a rapidly evolving world, our commitment to integrating advanced blockchain technology with real-world applications is set to foster new avenues for sustainable development, support job creation, and enhance digital sovereignty across the Western Balkans and beyond.
