Archives: Актуелности

We are proud to present the report “Mapping report of the state-of-the-art good practices for tackling UHI in the Danube region”, a comprehensive document developed within the international project Be Ready, which focuses on identifying solutions to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands in cities across the Danube region. The report offers an overview of contemporary and innovative approaches in urban planning and design aimed at enhancing resilience to climate change.
The report is the result of joint efforts by project partners. Ten cities from across Europe participated in its development, including the City of Niš and the Science and Technology Park Niš, which contributed by identifying and mapping good practice examples at the local level. In addition to an analysis of the current state and challenges, the report provides concrete recommendations and solutions for mitigating the UHI phenomenon in urban environments.
This mapping report brings together the latest technical solutions, community-based approaches, and policy frameworks that can reduce the risks of urban heat islands in the Danube region.
An integral part of the document is an Annex with detailed descriptions of good practices that have been identified and documented as inspirational models for other cities in the region and beyond. These practices include a variety of approaches — from the implementation of blue and green infrastructure and urban design solutions to participatory planning and community engagement.
This report represents an important step toward strengthening the resilience of cities to climate challenges and promoting knowledge exchange among stakeholders from different European countries.

👉 The report is available HERE

 

Do you know if there are urban heat islands in your city? Where the “hot spots” are and where the cooler zones in the urban environment are? Do vulnerable social groups, such as senior citizens or people with lower incomes, live in warmer parts of the city? How many local self-governments in Serbia have the capacity for long-term monitoring and response to the intensity of urban heat islands?

The answers to these and many other questions can now be found thanks to a new digital platform that allows cities to assess their own vulnerability to the effects of climate change, with a special focus on the urban heat islands phenomenon. This tool is intended for decision makers, urban planners, researchers, and citizens who want to understand the spatial and social challenges related to rising temperatures in cities better. The platform was created as part of the “Be Ready” project and is available at the link BE READY UHI.

In order to address the need for effective ways to assess and mitigate the effects of urban heat islands (UHIs), partners on the Be Ready project have developed a methodology for self-assessing the risks and vulnerabilities of cities. The detailed methodology is available on the official website of the Be Ready project.
This platform represents a simplified version of the methodology, adapted for use in different cities, regardless of the level of data availability. The goal of the UHI online assessment platform is to support local authorities and other relevant actors in assessing the degree of their vulnerability to urban heat island effects, identifying vulnerable groups, recognizing opportunities to improve existing policies and practices, as well as assessing their ability to adapt and prepare for climate challenges.

Through an intuitive interface and available data, the platform allows users to identify the most vulnerable parts of the city, analyze temperature distribution, as well as to plan and monitor the effectiveness of climate change adaptation measures. This initiative represents an important step towards improving local resilience and better planning for sustainable urban development.

In cooperation with the Startup Center Niš, the Regional Innovation Center Zubin Potok, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Niš, and the Faculty of Diplomacy and Security in Belgrade, with the support of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, the City of Niš, and the company Fazi, the Science and Technology Park Niš issues a

PUBLIC CALL

for startup teams to participate in the “Launcher” accelerator program.
The call is intended for innovative startup teams in early development stages that wish to accelerate their path towards the market with expert financial support.

On the “Launcher” program:

Launcher is the first accelerator support program in Niš for early-stage startups. The program provides comprehensive support through education, mentorship, and grants of up to 1,150,000.00 dinars per team, helping startups validate their ideas, optimize solutions, and lay a solid foundation for further growth. The program is structured according to the Running Lean methodology for startup development, which allows teams to systematically test assumptions, understand users better, and build sustainable business models with minimal risk.
Launcher is also part of a broader national framework for digital innovation and is linked to the Serbian European Digital Innovation Hub on AI – S4AI_HUB project, which is co-funded by the European Union. Program participants gain exclusive access to knowledge, tools, and a network of partners in the field of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
The goal of the Launcher program is to help startups grow into successful businesses sustainable long-term that will contribute to the development of technological entrepreneurship and strengthening the innovation scene in Serbia, with a special focus on encouraging entrepreneurship in the territory of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija.

Who is the program intended for?

Launcher is intended for early-stage startup teams – whether they are still working on developing the technology, researching the market, or trying to match one with the other.
The program is ideal for teams that:

• have an idea they are researching and trying to prove that it is technically feasible,
• are working on a prototype or are already testing it in controlled conditions,
• are starting to talk to users and research their needs,
• have first feedback and are starting to build a business model,
• are open to collaboration, iterations, and working with mentors and experts through a structured process.

The program brings value to teams whose solutions at the time of application are on the technology development scale between TRL 2 and TRL 5, and on the business development scale between CRL 2 and CRL 5.
If the team already has a developed MVP (minimum viable product) that has been successfully tested with real users (both TRL 5 and CRL 5 have already been reached), this program is probably not appropriate because the team is considered to have outgrown the defined support stage.
The technology and business development scale, with brief explanations that facilitate the assessment of the solution level, is available in the Participant Guide in Appendix 1.

Who can apply?
Innovative technological solutions in the field of hardware and/or software development, with potential for growth and commercialization, are being considered.

The following have the right to apply:

• Informal startup teams: Teams of at least two members that do not have a registered company at the time of application.
• Registered companies: Micro-businesses (in the form of a limited liability company) that meet the following conditions:
– they are established in Serbia and are no older than 10 years old at the time of application;
– they are majority privately owned by Serbian citizens (≥51% of the capital owned by individuals/legal entities from Serbia)
– at least two members of the team from the application together own ≥80% of the ownership stake.

Additional conditions:

• Each team must have at least one adult member in its structure;
• The submitted startup idea must be original and must not infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties. Teams may participate in other support programs at the same time, provided that they state this in their application and ensure that there is no conflict of interest or violation of the rules of other programs.

Who cannot apply:

• Teams that have already secured over 50,000 euros in funding for the development of their own product (VC investments or grants from public funding sources).
• Startups that are majority-owned (more than 50%) by another company that functions as a parent or controlling company.
• Teams/startups whose projects would have a detrimental impact on the environment through their activities, as well as internal projects without the intent of wider commercialization.

In accordance with the funding rules, ideas within the following categories are excluded:

• Tobacco industry;
• Production of weapons and military equipment;
• Production and trade in oil and oil products and hazardous materials;
• Organization of games of chance, lotteries, and similar activities;
• Producers/distributors of all other substances/materials/products controlled by law;
• Predominantly commercial activities;
• Production or trade in alcoholic beverages (except beer and wine).

What can the participants expect from the program?

Participants in the Launcher program gain access to a wide range of benefits and support throughout the program:

• Tailored education: A structured series of workshops and training modules designed for early-stage startups, focused on problem validation and market testing. Participants will undergo hands-on training that follows their development path and responds to the specific needs of the team.
• Mentorship support: Regular sessions in the second phase of the program with experienced mentors from the business and technology spheres, with concrete guidance on overcoming challenges, optimizing strategy, and improving the product.
• Financial support: Grants of up to 1,150,000.00 dinars per team for solution development, market validation, and attendance at an international startup conference. These funds enable teams to accelerate product development and present themselves at relevant international events.
• Pre-incubation and networking: six months of free membership in STP Niš – use of coworking space and infrastructure, access to the innovation community, and active networking with other startups, investors and experts through events, workshops and networking opportunities. This provides teams with a creative environment that encourages collaboration and growth.
• Support through the S4AI_Hub: exclusive access to the European digital innovation hub S4AI, which provides additional resources for technology testing, skill development, easier access to funding sources, and connections with industry. Through this hub, teams can benefit from expertise and a network of partners in the field of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.

The application and selection process:

The Public Call is open from April 14 to May 16, 2025.
Interested teams can apply exclusively via the online form available on the official website of the program (launcher.rs). If the applicant is a registered business, the application must be accompanied by a signed statement available on the website, which is an integral part of the application.
After the closing of the Public Call, all received applications will be administratively and substantively reviewed. No later than 14 days after the closing of the Public Call, teams will be notified of the selection results – that is, whether they meet the requirements and whether they have been selected to participate in the first phase of the Program.

Important: Applications are closed on May 16, 2025 at midnight. Late and incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

Up to 20 startups from all over Serbia will be selected to participate in the first phase of the Program. At least 25% of the selected teams for Phase 1 will be from the territory of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, with customized logistics and support in cooperation with RIC Zubin Potok, thus encouraging a more even development of the startup ecosystem and the inclusion of teams from different regions.

Selection of teams for Phase 2 and allocation of financial support:
After the first phase of the Program, the selected teams participate in the Demo Day, where they present the results of their work to date, the progress achieved, and plans for further development of the solution.
The selection of teams for the second phase is carried out by an independent Commission. The Independent Commission for the Selection of Teams is formed by the Program organizer and consists of representatives of consortium partners and donors, as well as experts from relevant fields. The Commission evaluates the teams based on clearly defined criteria from Appendix 2 of the Guide for Participants – Evaluation Criteria for the Demo Day, after which it makes a Decision on awarding grants to the teams in Phase 2, as a prerequisite for signing the Grant Agreement with the selected teams.

What are the next steps?
The selected teams will begin Phase 1 of the “Validate & Build” program – a structured educational process designed in accordance with the Running Lean methodology that allows startups to define and validate their ideas. At the end of the first phase, a Demo Day will be organized, where the teams will present their progress. Based on the results achieved, the Commission will select the best teams that will continue to Phase 2 and become eligible for financial support (grant).
For the selected teams in Phase 2, after fulfilling the defined obligations, the signing of the Grant Agreement and the Membership Agreement in STP Niš/RIC Zubin Potok is planned, which begins the pre-incubation period with the use of approved funds according to the project plan.

Guide for Participants – detailed information:
This Public Call provides a concise overview of the conditions and benefits of the Launcher program. It is necessary for all interested parties to be informed in detail about the rules of participation, selection criteria, and team obligations through the Guide for Participants, which is available at the official program website (at launcher.rs). The Guide precisely defines the conditions for application, program phases, means of grant disbursement, and other relevant provisions. Before submitting an application, we ask teams to carefully study this document in order to familiarize themselves with all the details and obligations.

Contact information:
For any additional inquiries, clarifications, or technical support regarding the Launcher program, you can contact us by email: info@launcher.rs.

Launch your startup with Launcher – take this opportunity to launch your innovative idea with expert support!

As part of the Be Ready project, the third international convention of project partners was held in the Czech city of Brno on April 1 and 2, 2025. The event was hosted by the South Moravian Agency for Public Innovation (JINAG), which hosted more than 50 participants from 12 European cities on its premises.
During the two-day convention, the results of the work in the first year of the project’s implementation were presented, with the presence of representatives of the Joint Secretariat. Participants exchanged experiences and presented progress in the implementation of project activities.

The delegation of the Science and Technology Park Niš consisted of Branislava Milanović, finance assistant, and Milan Krstev, project assistant, who presented activities within the “Methodology and Tools Testing” component. A special focus was on the reports on the assessment of the risks of urban heat islands (UHI) in all 10 partner cities.
The results of local workshops were also presented, where the methodology for risk assessment was presented, informative materials for citizens were developed, as well as a prototype of an online tool for assessing the vulnerability of cities. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the next steps and planned activities for the successful implementation of the project in the coming period.

An event focused on the increasingly topical issue of climate change and innovation was held at the Science and Technology Park Niš, organized by STP Niš, the company AdverCity and the Young Ambassadors organization.

A special part of the program was dedicated to a lecture by Jaroslav Efimov, head of the Climate Change Sector at Palm Tech, who emphasized the importance of linking innovation with climate policy, as well as the importance of developing and implementing climate technologies in modern society.

As part of the event, representatives of the Science and Technology Park Niš presented the results of the Be Ready project, which focuses on solving climate challenges in urban areas of the Danube region. The event was opened by Miloš Grozdanović, Assistant Director for Business Development at STP Niš, who presented the park’s activities in the field of climate change adaptation.

Milan Krstev, the project assistant for the Be Ready project, presented the methodology and objectives of the project with a special focus on the problem of urban heat islands (UHI). The presentation highlighted the approach that includes the so-called “green”, “white” and “blue acupuncture” – interventions based on vegetation, innovative materials and the use of water resources. The results of the City of Niš’s report on the formation of urban heat islands in the city were also presented.

Members of the Young Ambassadors organization also presented their experiences in the field of innovation and potential measures to combat climate change, contributing to the discussion through ideas and solutions of young people in the field of sustainable development.

 

You can see the report at the link.