Тип пројекта: Active projects

Project name: Organization and realization of the 8th Forum of Advanced Technologies

Project lead institution: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia

Project partners: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Science and Technology Park Niš, City of Niš

Project budget: 8.600.000,00

Financier: Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation

Project goal: The project aims to position Serbia as a global center for innovation and startups, providing the resources and support needed for their growth. Activities such as workshops, panel discussions, and networking events will enable the connection of key players in the industry, including professionals, investors, and companies, thus encouraging the development of the IT sector.

We expect that the realization of the project will result in the strengthening of Serbia’s international position in the world of innovation, the creation of new business opportunities, as well as the connection of startups with investors and clients. In addition, project participants will have the opportunity to increase their visibility and reputation, thus contributing to the growth of the innovation and startup ecosystem in Serbia.

The project is aimed at a wide range of participants, including technology and business experts, startups, innovative companies, investment funds, academia, government and regulatory authorities, students, researchers, international organizations, the media, and the general public, with the aim of creating synergy and encouraging innovation. The involvement of all relevant stakeholders, from Government representatives to regional startup centers, will ensure the creation of a support network that will enable startups to develop and succeed on a global scale.

Through this project, Serbia will become a recognizable destination for innovation, attracting talent and investments, and creating conditions for the growth and development of the startup ecosystem, thereby contributing to economic development and innovation on a global level.

Project activities:

• Defining goals and the scope
• Selection of the organizational team
• Defining and inviting speakers
• Detailed budget planning
• Marketing and communication strategy
• Negotiation with sponsors
• Organization of logistics
• Recruitment of volunteers
• Finalization of the program
• Technical preparations
• Realization of the Forum
• Preparation of reports
• Follow-up activities

Project name: UrBan hEat islands REsilience, prepAreDness and mitigation strategY (Be Ready)

Project lead institution: Sofia Development Association

Project partners: Sofia Development Association (Bulgaria), DEX Innovation center z.s. (Czech Republic), Association Tehnopol of Galati (Romania), Chișinău Town Hall (Moldova), Municipality of Galați (Romania), Science and Technology Park Nis (Serbia), City of Niš (Serbia), City of Zenica (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (Slovenia), Pannon Novum West Transdanubian Regional Innovation Nonprofit Ltd. (Hungary), Capital City Podgorica (Montenegro), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (Austria), Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (Slovakia), RICANY (Czech Republic), South Moravian agency for public innovation JINAG (Czech Republic), City of Kranj (Slovenia), Policy Consult Ltd (Bulgaria), Development agency North Ltd. (Croatia)

Project budget: 2.408.382,62 euros

Financier: Interreg Programme Danube Region, Programme co-funded by European Union funds (ERDF, IPA, ENI)

Project goal: The “BE Ready” project focuses on strengthening capacities for adaptation to climate change and disaster management related to environmental risks in the Danube region, specifically addressing urban heat islands (UHIs). In cooperation with 19 partners and 9 ASPs from 12 countries, the project introduces a new approach – “green acupuncture”, targeting small but effective, contextual interventions to combat UHIs in critical urban areas. Activities include testing solutions through “green”, “white”, and “blue acupuncture”, that is, interventions based on vegetation, innovative materials, and the use of water resources. Main results include methodologies and tools for UHI risk assessment, tested solutions in 9 pilot cities, a common strategy for improving climate change resilience, action plans, policy recommendations, and awareness campaigns. The project aims to effectively use joint knowledge for a better understanding of UHI effects and strengthening institutional capacities at the local and regional level.

Project activities:

• Providing research, assessment, and operational tools to local and regional authorities to better understand UHI, its causes and effects.
• Joint creation, testing, and validation of jointly developed solutions to mitigate the effects of UHIs in cities.
• Support to partner cities in the development and adoption of action plans for increased resistance to the effects of UHI with concrete actions that promote green, blue, or white measures.
• “Green Acupuncture” enables partners, both cities and knowledge partners, to take targeted, small but powerful, context-based measures to combat UHIs in critical urban areas.
• Pilot cities are testing solutions in three fields: “green acupuncture” (vegetation-based interventions); “white acupuncture” (based on innovative surfaces and materials); and “blue acupuncture” (new uses of water resources).
• The main results of the project include:
  • jointly developed and implemented methodologies and tools for UHI risk assessment, data analysis, and modeling at the city level;
  • jointly designed solutions to address UHI, tested and reviewed in an urban environment by 12 pilot cities;
  • a joint strategy for improving preparedness and resilience to climate change for local and regional governments in the Danube region;
  • action plans and transformative strategic outlooks for participants;
  • policy recommendations;
  • virtual training program with SPOCs;
  • awareness campaigns in 12 countries over a 30-month period.

Project name: Adaptation of existing space and equipping the video and audio production lab

Project lead institution: Science and Technology Park Niš

Project budget: 4.005.684,00 dinars

Financier: Naftna industrija Srbije

Project goal: The Science and Technology Park Niš is the key organization for the support and development of innovations in southern and eastern Serbia. With more than 50 member companies and almost 600 predominantly young people working from the Park, STP Niš has become the center of events for the innovative community. STP Niš has established significant cooperation with all student organizations, the University of Niš, and the wider community. In addition to traditional and modern media for promotion and networking, STP Niš launched the “Startup Breakfast” podcast with over 30 episodes, further confirming its role as an incubator of creativity and innovation. The planned laboratory for audio and video production will be available to all members, partners, and the wider community; thus, STP Niš will continue to strengthen its role as a place for creating quality content and encouraging cooperation and innovation.

Project activities:

• Adaptation of existing space
• Interior design
• Procurement of equipment
• Training the employees and the STP Niš community:
  • Training the technical staff to work with the equipment and software
  • Training the staff responsible for the realization of shows, podcasts – including conception, design, distribution, promotion, community development, and monetization.

Project name: City and Me

Project lead institution: Just Start ltd. Niš

Project budget: 60.030,00 euros

Financier: UNDP ODA

Project goal: The goal of the City&Me project is to create an interactive and sustainable digital platform that will make cities in the Western Balkans smarter and more connected with their citizens. The platform encourages activism and citizen participation in solving local problems and promotes sustainable activities such as recycling and greening. With City&Me, citizens will be able to influence decisions in their community, participate in activities for the benefit of the environment, and use digital services to improve everyday life. In addition, the platform provides cities and municipalities with the means to communicate more effectively with citizens and encourage civic initiatives. On the basis of a feasibility study, the Science and Technology Park Niš will develop and implement an educational program for building the capacity of local stakeholders participating in the development of the local innovation ecosystem in four (4) cities/municipalities in North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the city chosen for the implementation of the City&Me solution, JustStart and the Science and Technology Park Niš will develop a local framework together with a local partner and establish a network with local stakeholders for the implementation of City&Me services through a co-creation process.

Project activities:

• Creating a feasibility study – Analysis of the local innovation ecosystem, technologies, needs and context for implementing smart city solutions.
• Capacity Building for Smart Cities – Three-day educational programs for key stakeholders to encourage the implementation of smart cities.
• Smart Lab – Joint work (co-creation) with local partners to develop a framework and establish a network for implementing smart city solutions.
• Technical development – Localization and adaptation of the City&Me software solution based on the results of studies and the needs of the city.
• Implementation of solutions and raising awareness

Project name: Serbia Innovates

Project lead institution: ICT Hub

Financier: USAID

Project goal: The mission of the Excellent 3 Supercluster is to create a platform that provides resources and creates a stimulating environment for the development of a sustainable Web3 ecosystem in Serbia by 2027.
The consortium networks representatives of the Web3 and blockchain industry with the private and public sectors in order to put these technologies into practice. By connecting the local market with the European and world markets, the consortium provides easier access to domestic and foreign sources of financing, as well as information necessary for the improvement of the ecosystem accompanied by accelerated growth and development.
Since there is a deficit of skilled labor in Web3 technologies, the consortium will focus on the development of experts in this field, increasing the number of innovative products, and strengthening the market through multidisciplinary cooperation of conventional industries, startups, and academia.

Project activities:

• Building a supercluster infrastructure
• Starting team projects with other members of the supercluster
• Global positioning of Serbia in the relevant domain
• We will establish a system of permanent monitoring and evaluation of the Supercluster in order to monitor its success and improve its functioning.