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New Projects for Innovation Development in Kosovo and Metohija
The Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation continues to improve the innovation ecosystem in Serbia through cooperation with the Science and Technology Park Niš (STP Niš), with the aim of strengthening the capacity of Regional Innovation Startup Centers (RISC) and encouraging technological entrepreneurship, especially in the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija.
As part of this initiative, today, in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, in the presence of Minister Jelena Begović, an Agreement on the Development of the Innovation Ecosystem in Kosovo and Metohija was signed between STP Niš, the Regional Innovation Startup Center Zubin Potok and the Office for Kosovo and Metohija.
The Managing Director of STP Niš, Milan Ranđelović, PhD, emphasized the importance of this cooperation for the improvement of the regional innovation ecosystem, emphasizing that the integration of various actors into a single support system will contribute to the rise of the number of startups and the strengthening of the entrepreneurial spirit, not only in the AP Kosovo and Metohija, which has already shown potential in its work, but also in the Region of Southern and Eastern Serbia.
The continuation of the successful cooperation with RISC Zubin Potok, initiated within the project “Raising the Capacities of Regional Innovation Startup Centers in Cooperation with Science and Technology Parks”, has enabled the creation of conditions for the implementation of three new projects. One will be focused on the improvement of innovation activities, while the remaining two will aim to popularize and promote innovations both in the Region of Southern and Eastern Serbia, as well as in the territory of AP Kosovo and Metohija, with the support of STP Niš.
Milan Vučinić, Director of RISC Zubin Potok, emphasized that the announced projects are not only an investment in innovation, but also in the future of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija. “The signed Agreement enables the implementation of projects that will contribute to the development of innovations, the IT sector, and education in the Kosovska Mitrovica region. The projects will create new jobs, which will contribute to strengthening the economy”, he said, adding that the main goal of signing the Agreement is to enable young people to develop their ideas in Kosovo and Metohija in order to build a sustainable future through innovation.
These projects will include activities aimed at developing the organizational and technical capacities of startup centers, improving business models, organizing educational programs and mentoring support for startup teams. Numerous events such as hackathons, meetups, conferences and roundtables are also planned, which will enable the exchange of experiences and networking with actors of the innovation ecosystem.
“The Regional Innovation Center Zubin Potok acts as a key driver of development, while the Science and Technology Park Niš, with its expertise and experience, provides significant support for the implementation of these projects,” said Minister Begović.
In addition to promoting successful examples from practice and cooperation with related organizations, this initiative aims to inspire new entrepreneurs and create a more favorable environment for the development of innovations in Kosovo and Metohija.
Minister Begović reminded that in 2024 and 2025, the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation provided 15 million dinars to support Zubin Potok through projects in AP Kosovo and Metohija, and the Office for Kosovo and Metohija provided 24 million, while in 2025, a total of 13.7 million dinars was allocated to improve the innovation ecosystem in Kosovo and Metohija through projects.
The Ministry will continue to implement these activities in 2025, with the launch of new projects focused on improving innovation activity and promoting innovation. It is expected that these initiatives will significantly contribute to the development of the startup ecosystem, increase the number of successful innovation projects and stimulate economic growth in the region.