Obama Leader on a mission to make clean energy accessible in Croatia

My passion for sustainability began in childhood. I was always curious about environmental protection, recycling, and how energy impacts our planet. As I grew older, this interest deepened, and I came to understand the crucial role the energy sector plays in addressing climate change. The idea for Energy Shift emerged a few years ago when I tried to install solar panels on my parents' home. I thought it would be simple—help them save on energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint. But the process turned out to be long and complicated, with numerous regulatory barriers and excessive paperwork. To make matters worse, Croatia’s system didn’t allow homeowners to profit from the excess energy they produced.

That experience made me realize that many others were likely facing the same hurdles. It inspired me to create a solution that empowers everyday people to actively participate in the energy transition. Through Energy Shift, I aim to ensure that no one is left behind in the global shift toward renewable energy. My goal is to give as many people as possible the tools they need to participate in the energy transition and benefit, both financially and environmentally.

Energy Shift is a platform dedicated to democratizing renewable energy. We empower individuals to co-own solar and other renewable sources, enabling direct participation in the clean energy revolution by investing in renewable projects. Early on, it became clear to me that the traditional energy sector wasn’t designed to empower individuals. I wanted a solution where people could contribute to sustainability and benefit financially. Blockchain technology was key to this because it ensures transparency, security, and liquidity—allowing investors to sell their stake, if needed, providing flexibility and confidence.

Inclusivity is at the core of our platform. By allowing investments starting from just 100 euros, we minimize financial barriers. Blockchain ensures transparency, giving investors confidence that their funds are used responsibly. The impact on local communities has been significant—creating jobs, boosting local economies through energy independence, and reducing carbon emissions, leading to a more sustainable future for generations to come.

The Obama Leaders Europe program has connected me with a network of changemakers and thought leaders, all dedicated to creating meaningful impact. It has also helped me refine my leadership skills and given me new perspectives on social impact and scaling sustainable businesses. The mentorship and resources I’ve gained have been invaluable in accelerating Energy Shift's growth while keeping us focused on our core mission: democratizing renewable energy.

One of the main challenges we've encountered is navigating regulatory hurdles. Traditional energy systems are often rigid, dominated by monopolistic entities, making innovation and disruption difficult. Convincing regulators and governments to adopt new models of energy ownership has been an uphill battle. However, we’ve overcome many of these obstacles by partnering with local governments and advocating for regulatory reforms that support decentralization.

Looking ahead, a key priority for Energy Shift is to scale our platform across Europe and beyond. We believe decentralizing energy ownership can play a crucial role in accelerating the shift toward renewable energy. To achieve this vision, we are currently raising funds to fuel our growth, which will help expand our solar farm investments, onboard more users, and integrate advanced technologies to streamline the process for investors. We want to empower more individuals to participate in the energy transition while ensuring that renewable energy projects receive the necessary funding to scale rapidly.