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Mario Carini
Episode · #584

POSLOVNI FM PREDSTAVLJA Mario Carini

Guest Mario CariniHosted by Boris ŽivkovićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

When an insurance giant like Generali starts actively promoting sustainable business models, it signals a shift in what risk and opportunity mean for the wider economy. Mario Carini, CEO of Generali Insurance in Croatia, discusses the SME EnterPRIZE initiative, a program designed to spotlight and reward small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) already integrating sustainability into their operations. This conversation reveals why Generali sees SMEs as the primary lever for a green transition and how an insurer's strategic plan extends beyond traditional policies to foster a more resilient, sustainable business landscape. Readers will walk away considering how environmental and social impact is increasingly intertwined with financial performance.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Generali launched the SME EnterPRIZE initiative because small and medium-sized enterprises 'are the foundation of the European economy, providing two out of three jobs' and representing 99% of all EU businesses. If you want to shift an economy, you don't start with the giants; you start with the vast majority of companies that employ most people.
02
Recent research for Generali's 'White Paper' found a 'positive correlation between sustainability and financial performance' for SMEs. What looks like a cost center on paper is, in practice, a driver of new opportunities and better financial results.
03
The Croatian SME EnterPRIZE competition received over 140 applications, a 40% increase from the previous year. When a voluntary program grows that fast, it's a strong signal that sustainability has moved beyond a niche concern and into the mainstream of entrepreneurial thinking.
04
Generali's competition invited applications across two broad categories: 'community' (employee volunteering, inclusion of disadvantaged people) and 'environment' (energy reduction, recycling, CO2 emissions). The definition of a 'sustainable business' extends beyond just green initiatives to include direct social impact on the local community.
05
While only one company will be crowned 'Sustainability Hero,' Mario Carini believes that 'all small and medium-sized entrepreneurs who applied for the competition deserve that title.' The true measure of an initiative's success isn't just who wins, but how many are already acting on the principles it promotes.
06
The 'White Paper' specifically analyzed energy-intensive industries and agro-processing, sectors that 'account for a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU.' Investing in sustainability early in these high-impact areas isn't just about compliance; it's about positioning for complex future circumstances and managing risks.
07
Beyond the €4,000 cash prize for category winners, the overall 'Sustainability Hero' from Croatia gets to present their project at an international event in Brussels. For a small business, that kind of international exposure and network expansion can be far more impactful than any direct financial reward.
08
The SME EnterPRIZE initiative is part of Generali's 'endeavor to become a lifetime partner to small and medium-sized enterprises across Europe.' This positions an insurer not merely as a risk protector, but as an active participant in the long-term growth and strategic direction of the businesses it serves.
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