WHY THIS COURSE AT BBS:
For you:
- Gain up-to-date skills and practical tools to understand, assess, and manage sustainable finance;
- Strengthen your professional profile in a rapidly evolving sector.
For companies:
- Enhance, motivate, and help retain talent;
- Improve managers’ performance and their ability to drive business growth;
- Develop the ability to integrate sustainability into financial and decision-making processes, turning finance into a strategic lever for growth and competitiveness.
The ongoing transformation of economic and financial systems is profound and irreversible. There is an increasing need for alignment between businesses and finance within a new development model, based on value sharing with all stakeholders. Sustainable finance is therefore no longer a niche area, but a strategic lever capable of directing capital flows towards activities that generate economic, environmental, and social value.
Understanding how financial tools can contribute to the transition toward a more equitable and regenerative economy is now an essential skill for anyone operating in the world of finance and business.
But how can we distinguish between the different types of sustainable investments?
How is it possible to combine return and impact?
And what metrics can credibly measure environmental and social outcomes?
The Open Program in Sustainable Finance offers an in-depth and practical perspective on these topics, providing the latest regulatory updates and concrete tools to understand, assess, and manage sustainable finance dynamics across various professional contexts.
Spread over three days of intensive training, the program combines lectures, real case studies, and business testimonials from professionals who have successfully integrated sustainability criteria into their investment and governance strategies.
The Faculty will guide participants through a journey that blends solid theoretical foundations with a hands-on approach, providing the skills needed to:
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Understand the principles and tools of sustainable finance;
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Navigate the regulatory and compliance framework;
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Analyze ESG-linked markets and financial products;
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Evaluate risk and return from a sustainability perspective;
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Integrate sustainability into financial and corporate decision-making processes;
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Understand the logic, dynamics, and potential of impact finance.
This course is designed for private bankers, financial advisors, wealth managers, corporate managers, professionals in the insurance and foundation sectors, as well as anyone seeking to update their knowledge on new finance models aimed at creating sustainable value.
ACCREDITATIONS AND RANKINGS
Bologna Business School is EQUIS – EFMD Quality Improvement System accredited, one of the most important international quality assessment and continuous improvement systems for Schools of Management and Business Administration.
Bologna Business School’s Open Programs are included in the Financial Times Ranking in the Executive Education 2026 category.
Giovanni Fracasso
Executive Director
giovanni.fracasso@bbs.unibo.it
"Joseph Schumpeter, analyzing the evolutionary process of the economy, introduced the concept of "creative destruction." Will sustainable finance have this powerful impact today? Or will it be even more disruptive, bringing about a real paradigm shift? We are convinced that finance that embraces sustainability can truly aspire to build a new integral Humanism."
Structure
The program is designed in an intensive format to provide practical learning that can be immediately applied.
The course takes place in person (on campus) on November 27–28 and December 12, 2026, in a weekend format (Friday and Saturday) from 9:15 AM to 5:45 PM, facilitating participation for working professionals.
COURSES
Understanding the principles, logic, and tools of sustainable finance: from the evolution of economic models to the central role of stakeholders. Introduction to ESG criteria, the European regulatory and legal framework, and the main global initiatives supporting the transition toward a regenerative economy.
Analysis of sustainable markets and financial products: ESG funds, green bonds, and social bonds.
In-depth study of metrics and methodologies for measuring environmental and social impact. Practical case studies on the integration of ESG criteria into portfolios and investment processes.
Integration of sustainability into corporate and financial decision-making processes: risk management, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
Impact Finance.
Bank lending and ESG criteria.
Exploration of the logic and potential of impact finance through corporate testimonials and real-world cases of strategies aimed at creating shared value.
Learning approach
The teaching approach is strongly practice-oriented and integrates contributions from faculty members coming from academia, industry, and consulting. The program combines lectures, analysis of real business cases, and direct testimonials from managers, fostering learning that can be immediately applied in the workplace. Teaching activities are supported by an e-learning platform featuring materials and exercises to facilitate study and further exploration between sessions.
Faculty
Faculty members at Bologna Business School work together offering outstanding teaching standards. An international and interdisciplinary approach is guaranteed by a joint team of distinguished national core professors, adjunct, visiting professors, guest speakers and top managers.
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Giovanni Fracasso
Managing Director
Edmond de Rothschild
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Francesco Bicciato
Direttore Generale
Forum per la Finanza Sostenibile ETS
Alumni
MARTINA PELELLA
Sustainability Senior Consultant, Deloitte & Touche.
ESG e Finanza Sostenibile (ed. 2023)
"Il corso ESG e Finanza Sostenibile mi ha permesso di consolidare le mie conoscenze in ambito sostenibilità e approfondire la finanza sotto il profilo che più mi interessa. Durante questa esperienza, mi sono confrontata con professionisti provenienti da mondi diversi dal mio che mi hanno arricchito sia professionalmente che personalmente. In particolare, l’incontro con la Sustainability Director di un’importante azienda farmaceutica italiana, mi ha fatto capire ancor di più come la sostenibilità sia un processo soggetto a continuous improvement."
STEFANO SANMARTINO
Chief Sustainability Officer and Finance, Kitenergy S.r.l.
ESG e Finanza Sostenibile (ed. 2023)
"In un momento storico in cui il sistema economico è stato fortemente scosso da eventi esogeni, la sostenibilità declinata in tutte le sue forme non è solo necessaria per la tutela del nostro pianeta, ma diventa a tutti gli effetti valore aggiunto per la crescita e la solidità nel lungo periodo degli attori economici. L'open program "ESG e finanza sostenibile" offre una visione a 360° sulla tematica, partendo dall'acquisizione di solide basi teoriche e dall'analisi del quadro normativo di riferimento, fino ad approfondire gli strumenti disponibili per integrare la sostenibilità all'interno dei processi, delle relazioni e del piano strategico. Nel percorso risultano inoltre particolarmente stimolanti le testimonianze aziendali che permettono di confrontarsi con casi d'eccellenza."
Networking
The open program is an experience built around people and relationships, fostering valuable connections through continuous interaction among participants, faculty members, and managers. During the classroom sessions, a dynamic network develops, enriched by the diversity of experiences, roles, and industries. A vibrant ecosystem that enhances learning and continues to generate value over time.
Alumni
MARTINA PELELLA
Sustainability Senior Consultant, Deloitte & Touche.
ESG e Finanza Sostenibile (ed. 2023)
"Il corso ESG e Finanza Sostenibile mi ha permesso di consolidare le mie conoscenze in ambito sostenibilità e approfondire la finanza sotto il profilo che più mi interessa. Durante questa esperienza, mi sono confrontata con professionisti provenienti da mondi diversi dal mio che mi hanno arricchito sia professionalmente che personalmente. In particolare, l’incontro con la Sustainability Director di un’importante azienda farmaceutica italiana, mi ha fatto capire ancor di più come la sostenibilità sia un processo soggetto a continuous improvement."
STEFANO SANMARTINO
Chief Sustainability Officer and Finance, Kitenergy S.r.l.
ESG e Finanza Sostenibile (ed. 2023)
"In un momento storico in cui il sistema economico è stato fortemente scosso da eventi esogeni, la sostenibilità declinata in tutte le sue forme non è solo necessaria per la tutela del nostro pianeta, ma diventa a tutti gli effetti valore aggiunto per la crescita e la solidità nel lungo periodo degli attori economici. L'open program "ESG e finanza sostenibile" offre una visione a 360° sulla tematica, partendo dall'acquisizione di solide basi teoriche e dall'analisi del quadro normativo di riferimento, fino ad approfondire gli strumenti disponibili per integrare la sostenibilità all'interno dei processi, delle relazioni e del piano strategico. Nel percorso risultano inoltre particolarmente stimolanti le testimonianze aziendali che permettono di confrontarsi con casi d'eccellenza."
COMPANIES
Companies within the Bologna Business School network actively contribute to the development of the Open Programs by helping shape the content and bringing real-world experience into the classroom. Managers and professionals take part through testimonials, real business cases, and direct contributions, enriching the learning journey with a practical perspective. Interaction with companies from different industries encourages a continuous exchange of experiences and best practices. This ongoing dialogue between the classroom and the business world creates a dynamic ecosystem where skills, perspectives, and approaches come together, generating value for all participants.
FEES
The enrollment fee for the program is:
- €2,100 (+ VAT) for registrations from companies and institutions
- €1,700 (+ VAT) for individual registrations
The fee includes attendance of the program, all study materials available through the online platform, and access to Bologna Business School services, including: personal Wi-Fi account and use of the study areas.
Discounts are available for:
- early registrations;
- companies belonging to the Business Network;
- Alma/BBS and Profingest Alumni;
- groups of at least 3 people.
INTERPROFESSIONAL FUNDS
Alumni and companies can check the availability of vouchers at the Interprofessional Fund of reference:
Fondimpresa – for middle managers/ middle management
Fondo Dirigenti PMI – for managers of Industrial SMEs
Fonditalia
Fondirigenti – for managers
Fon.Coop – for cooperative companies
REQUIREMENTS
The program is limited to a maximum of 30 participants in order to ensure an effective and interactive learning experience, and is open to professionals with diverse backgrounds and levels of experience.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To participate, it is necessary to request the application form by emailing openprograms@bbs.unibo.it. The team is available to provide all relevant information and support candidates throughout the process.
FAQs
At the end of the course, a participation certificate is issued (upon reaching 80% of classroom hours).
The documents used in the classroom and any further reading or exercises will be uploaded to our platform, whose credentials will be delivered in the classroom.
Should a group of colleagues wish to participate in the program, it is possible to contact the Program Manager to evaluate an ad hoc participation price.
Our short courses do not require a specific course of study. It is important to have a few years of work experience behind you that can help you, inside the classroom, by bringing real cases dealt with and solutions adopted during your work.
