Cooperation for Development of Cross Border Business Environment Strengthened

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Montenegro

Date of latest update: 2025-12-15

Description

Description (EN):

All three countries share common challenges when it comes to the business environment and the development of sectors related to technology and innovation. The project will deal with three common challenges: 1. The need for an increase of innovations based on new technologies and lack of research and innovation capacities in cross border area 2. An ongoing need for further development of ICT sector in cross-border area, considering potentials of this sector for increase of number of new companies, new job opportunities and generally technological development of the region. 3. A recognized need for modernization of business support services which would lead to strengthening the capacities of existing and potential entrepreneurs, so the acquired knowledge and skills would lead to development of new solutions benefiting the region Project overall objective is to contribute to the development and improvement of innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies through supporting innovation processes in the cross-border area as well as enhancing business support services for existing and new SMEs and entrepreneurs to enable them to create new innovative products and services. The following specific objectives will be achieved: SO1: To enhance cross-border capacities of innovators for the uptake of advanced technologies through implementation of regional pilot support program for innovators SO2: To strengthen regional ICT ecosystem through modernization of existing and development of new services SO3: To strengthen competitiveness and innovation capacities of the cross-border area through joint pre-acceleration program for startups Project activities are divided in three work packages: WP1: Strengthening the capacity of innovators in the cross-border area (with focus on work methodology development, upgrade of innovation labs, organization of trainings for labs’ staff and users, implementation of cross-border support program for innovators and promotional campaign) WP2: Improvement of ICT sector development support services (with focus on work methodology revision, upgrade of Code Hubs, implementation of joint program for coworking members, organization of meetups, trainings, hackathon and CBCC, and promotional campaign) WP3: Supporting the development of innovative business idea (with focus on conducting analysis of startup ecosystem, improvement of business incubators work, and development and implementation of pre-acceleration program) Key outputs of the project are as follows: OI1.1 Joint cross-border support program for innovators developed and implemented OI2.1. Joint cross-border support program for coworking members developed and implemented OI2.2. Joint solution for coworking management developed and implemented OI3.1. Joint pre-acceleration program for startups developed and implemented OI3.2. Cooperation between business support organization in the cross-border area strengthened Project will result in enhanced capacities of innovators, strengthened regional ICT ecosystem, and strengthened competitiveness of SMEs. Target groups of the project include local, regional and national public authorities, interest groups including NGOs, HEIs, BSOs, SMEs and general public. They will be involved in all project activities with the aim of strengthening their capacities, raising awareness on project topics, and creating strong fundamentals for further collaboration and implementation of project results. All work packages require strong and continuous cooperation of the project partners who, after developing the project together, will also cooperate on the implementation of the project, and the project will also maintain other cooperation criteria (joint staffing and joint financing). In this way, the cross-border component, which is crucial for the successful realization of project results, will be ensured. Through the project, joint programs for innovators, coworking members and startups will be implemented for the first time, so that all users have a comprehensive service at their disposal, and in this way, the strengthened innovation, technological and business capacities of the target groups will be achieved. Although the project is a continuation of the previous successful cooperation of the project partners, the project uses innovative and original approaches since the partners based their activities on cross-border cooperation and joint implementation of programs for innovators, coworking members and startups ready for the pre-acceleration phase. Such programs have not been implemented in the cross-border area until now, and by combining the knowledge, experience and resources of all project partners, a synergy is created that will result in an improved business environment in the cross-border area. Additionally, the developed programs will be based on innovative programs implemented in the world in order to bring global trends and world best practices closer to users in the cross-border area.

Actual Achievements (EN):

Taking into account that this is the first reporting period, much of the partners' work on the project involved project management activities, particularly launching and conducting public procurements, in order to timely contract planned services and implement activities within the timeline. The project partners held one face-to-face meeting in Mostar and two online meetings. The lead partner communicated with the partners to deliver their procurement plans to ensure that all plans aligned with the project timeline and the planned procurements in JEMS. The Project Kick-off conference was held in Mostar in November. The program included three panel discussions on topics significant to the project’s implementation: innovation laboratories, the startup scene, and coworking spaces. Speakers were representatives from partner organizations and experts in these fields. The conference gathered 28 participants, representing various project target groups. The City of Zadar developed the project’s visual identity, which will be used by all partners during all project activities. Regarding the first specific objective, project partners have begun implementing activities necessary as preconditions for the regional pilot support program for innovators. These activities include the development of work programs for innovation laboratories, which were successfully developed by all four partners involved in this activity. Additionally, it involves upgrading the resources of the innovation laboratories through the purchase of equipment. Equipment was procured at INTERA TP and BIT Center, while IEC Tehnopolis and UNIZD initiated procurement procedures. The developed work programs and upgraded services will enable project partners to provide adequate support to innovators in the planned pilot support program. Finally, all partners contracted service providers for other activities related to achieving this specific objective, which will be implemented in the upcoming periods. Progress toward the second specific objective in Period 1 primarily involved the revision of the Code Hub coworking space work programs. Programs were successfully finalized for Code Hubs in Mostar, Tuzla, and Zadar, with the one in Nikšić delayed until Period 2. Furthermore, the upgrade of Code Hubs with equipment and furniture was successfully conducted in Mostar, Zadar, and Nikšić, with procurements for this activity in Tuzla delayed until Period 2. Project partners successfully conducted public procurements for several other activities crucial to achieving this specific objective, which will be implemented in the upcoming periods, including a joint program for Code Hub members and the organization of meetups and training. Finally, work on achieving the third project-specific objective included the development of work programs for incubators and accelerators at partner organizations. Work programs for incubators in Mostar and Nikšić and the accelerator in Tuzla were finalized, while the one in Zadar will be finalized in Period 2. Additionally, progress toward the third specific objective is reflected in the engagement of experts for the development and implementation of a joint pre-acceleration program for startups, which will be implemented in the next period. The partners efficiently collaborated on the implementation of all activities, including mutual assistance in the preparation and implementation of public procurement procedures, especially considering the similarities in the descriptions of requested services. Additionally, when it came to activities requiring the involvement of a larger number of partners, the cooperation was flawless and in line with the plans, particularly in the organization and execution of the kick-off conference and the process of developing the analysis of the startup ecosystem, coordinated by the City of Zadar, with all partners actively participating. The partners agreed on communication channels and the frequency of meetings throughout the entire duration of the project, which will undoubtedly enable successful collaboration moving forward. While the first reporting period was largely marked by project management activities, both related to the start of the implementation and the execution of a large number of public procurements, the focus in the second reporting period was more on the actual implementation. Regarding project management activities, two project meetings were held—one in Mostar in February and the other in Nikšić in June. To rationalize expenses, both meetings were organized during other events within the project: the first during the bootcamp in Mostar, and the second during a joint program for coworking space users in Nikšić. As for the first specific objective, partners continued to work on activities that are essentially a prerequisite for launching the regional pilot support program for innovators, aimed at enhancing cross-border capacities for the uptake of advanced technologies. This includes the improvement of innovation lab resources through equipment procurement and staff training. All partners have either already procured equipment or are in the process, with finalization planned for the beginning of Period 3. Additionally, training for lab staff is ongoing, with two partners having completed their training, while the other two are in preparation or implementation, with planned completion also in Period 3. Initial activities for the promotional campaign are also underway or in preparation. Also, PP3 BIT started with implementation of trainings for future innovators. These activities remain preparatory steps that are prerequisites for achieving O1.1, O1.2 and Result 1, as the upgraded services will enable project partners to provide adequate support to innovators through the planned pilot support program. Regarding the second specific objective, strengthening the regional ICT ecosystem through modernization of existing and development of new services, progress was made in this period with the completion of the first activity, namely the development of the final work program for the Code Hub (Nikšić). The capacities of the Code Hubs were also strengthened for better service delivery to users through the development of shared software for managing all the Code Hubs. This will be tested in the upcoming periods to achieve output O2.2 and Result 3. Furthermore, the successful implementation of the first cycle of the joint program for Code Hub users in Nikšić marked the beginning of achieving output O2.1—One cross-border support program for coworking members jointly developed and tested by project partners. This will continue in the following periods, first with the second cycle in Tuzla in Period 3. Additionally, initial activities for the promotional campaign are also ongoing or in preparation. As for the third specific objective, strengthening the competitiveness and innovation capacities of the cross-border area, progress was mainly made through the preparation and implementation of a joint pre-acceleration program for startups. Prior to this, other significant pre-activities were carried out for this process, particularly conducting a needs analysis and assessing the status of the startup ecosystem in the cross-border area, as well as developing the remaining work program for the incubator in Zadar. Furthermore, in order to enhance competitiveness and innovation capacities, a pre-acceleration program was developed, a bootcamp was held, and based on that, the implementation of the pre-acceleration program began, with finalization expected in Period 3. This is also a prerequisite for achieving outputs O3.1—Joint pre-acceleration program for startups developed and tested—and O3.2—Joint pre-acceleration program for startups, as well as Result 4, which will be achieved after the implementation and revision of the program. Partners worked efficiently in implementation of all activities, both joint ones but also those involving activities specific to individual partners, by exchanging experiences and lessons learned.

Project outputs: One joint cross-border support program for innovators developed and tested jointly by 4 project partners (EN)
Support program for innovators (EN)
One cross-border support program for coworking members jointly developed and tested by project partners
(EN)
Software for coworking management(EN)
Joint pre-acceleration program for startups developed and tested
(EN)
Joint pre-acceleration program for startups
(EN)
Project partners cooperating across borders(EN)

Thematic information

SME and entrepreneurship

Priority: (VI-A_HR-B-ME_1) Smart investments in research, innovation and competitive entrepreneurship

Priority specific objective: RSO1.1. Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO1 A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity

Type of intervention: 004 Investment in fixed assets, including research infrastructure, in public research centres and higher education directly linked to research and innovation activities

Partners (5)

Lead Partner: Zaklada za inovacijski i tehnološki razvitak

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 227724810003

Address: Bišće polje, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.intera.ba

Total budget: EUR 322 741.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 274 330.02

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 48 411.18

Contractors:

Name: Event d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 227911500000
Name: Feral printing&trading d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 4219081260008
Name: The Simple d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 4202611370004
Name: TEXIMP SA d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 218561770000
Name: Deli
VAT registration or tax identification number: Not applicable
Name: Targer d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 202090620009
Name: Fondacija 787
VAT registration or tax identification number: Not applicable
Name: ZK Office d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 227473120002
Name: FEF Export - Import d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 4200160190004

Grad Zadar

Name: Grad Zadar

Department: Department of EU funds

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR09933651854

Address: Narodni trg, 23000 Zadar, Croatia

Department address: Narodni trg, 23000 Zadar, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.grad-zadar.hr

Total budget: EUR 170 100.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 144 585.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 25 515.00

Contractors:

Name: Media oglasi d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 09479286214
Name: Centar za inovacije d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 98345295215
Name: INSTAR CENTER d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 64308723629
Name: Optimum d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 39832196579

Sveučilište u Zadru

Name: Sveučilište u Zadru

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 10839679016

Address: Ulica Mihovila Pavlinovića, 23000 Zadar, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.unizd.hr

Total budget: EUR 238 266.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 202 526.10

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 35 739.90

Contractors:

Name: Terra travel d.o.o
VAT registration or tax identification number: 73602321366
Name: Printshop d.o.o
VAT registration or tax identification number: 53605605523
Name: Funestra d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 87939378078
Name: EURO-V.A.L d.o.o
VAT registration or tax identification number: 57964358389
Name: Josip Musić
VAT registration or tax identification number: 40905060769
Name: Šesti oblik, Miljenka P B
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR03817275859
Name: MOMAX/LESNINA
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR36998794856
Name: Instar
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR64308723629

Javno preduzeće “BIT Centar” d.o.o. u Tuzli

Name: Javno preduzeće “BIT Centar” d.o.o. u Tuzli

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4209952970004

Address: Trg slobode , 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.bitcentar.com

Total budget: EUR 228 690.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 194 386.50

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 303.50

Contractors:

Name: AD Plus d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 4201406070000
Name: METRONET d.o.o. Tuzla
VAT registration or tax identification number: 218633940002
Name: Infonet d.o.o. Tuzla
VAT registration or tax identification number: 209144750005
Name: Fondacija za inov. i tehnolog.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 209708710009
Name: DSO Agen. za prom. Kuca ideja
VAT registration or tax identification number: 311192780004
Name: International Consulting Team
VAT registration or tax identification number: 4403914790001

Inovaciono preduzetnički centar Tehnopolis

Name: Inovaciono preduzetnički centar Tehnopolis

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 40/31-02893-6

Address: Radoja Dakica, 81400 Niksic, Montenegro

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.tehnopolis.me

Total budget: EUR 271 026.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 230 372.10

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 40 653.90

Contractors:

Name: ICFME in Belgrade ltd
VAT registration or tax identification number: 104274412
Name: Republic of the third dimensio
VAT registration or tax identification number: 109572909
Name: Vucje doo Niksic
VAT registration or tax identification number: 40/31-01834-5
Name: Minuta Consulting doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: 40/31-03923-7
Name: ICT Hub Doo Beograd
VAT registration or tax identification number: 105457073
Name: Bad Brain LLC
VAT registration or tax identification number: 40/31-02965-7
Name: HardNet LLC
VAT registration or tax identification number: 40/31-00552-9
Name: DR Trade LLC
VAT registration or tax identification number: 30/31-00511-5

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

City of Zadar

Cooperation for Development of Cross Border Business Environment Strengthened

Partners and Projects info

University of Zadar

Cooperation for Development of Cross Border Business Environment Strengthened

Partners and Projects info

Public company “BIT Center” Ltd. In Tuzla

Cooperation for Development of Cross Border Business Environment Strengthened

Partners and Projects info

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center Tehnopolis

Cooperation for Development of Cross Border Business Environment Strengthened

Partners and Projects info

Foundation for innovation and technology development

Cooperation for Development of Cross Border Business Environment Strengthened

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Cooperation for Development of Cross Border Business Environment Strengthened

Project acronym: CODES

Project ID: HR-BA-ME00097

Project start date: 2024-07-15

Project end date: 2027-01-14

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

CODE
Cooperation for Development of Cross Border Business Environment – CODE / Interreg IPA CBC Croatia-B&H-Montenegro 2014-2020, 2017-2019 (EN) | Overall goal of the CODE project was to improve the entrepreneurial environment in the cross-border area through the development of business infrastructu-re and support services for innovative entrepreneurial ideas. The project resulted in cooperation among research, educational, and business institutions to support small and medium enterprises with the aim of developing, strengthening, and networking ICT clusters. Furthermore, 4 coworking spaces were established in Mostar, Nikšić, Tuzla, and Zadar, and institutions for business support were strengthened and connected.
Proposed project is in synergy with the CODE project, considering that the basis for its activities and results was developed within this project. Coworking spaces were established through CODE project in 2018 and all 4 of them have been sustainable and functional after the project completion. Within the proposed project, resources of those spaces will be upgraded to modernize their business support services so the local ICT and entrepreneurial ecosystem can benefit from its services in accordance with new trends and their specific needs.
Furthermore, within the CODE project, mentoring programs for startups and SMEs were developed in each of the involved cities. In the proposed project, in the set of activities for supporting the development of innovative business ideas, pre-acceleration program will be developed and mentoring program will be one of its main segments. It will be based on programs developed by the CODE project but improved in accordance with the contemporary trends in the processes of supporting the development of innovative business ideas.
Finally, the CODE partnership seeks to strengthen the business infrastructure, services to support innovations and improve the start-up environment in the cross-border area which is in direct synergy with the specific objective of the proposed project which tends to strengthen the competitiveness and innovation capacities of the cross-border area. (EN), 2CODE
Cooperation for Development of Cross Border Business Environment Enhanced, Interreg IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Croatia-B&H-Montenegro 2014-2020, 2020-2022
(EN) | Project contributed to enhancement of business institutions infrastructure and upgrading services to support development of business environment in cross-border area, resulting in strengthened and formalized local ICT networks, Code Hubs Network and service packages for digital nomads development, development of a mentoring platform, organization of promotional events, strengthening the capacity of existing Code Hubs in Nikšić, Mostar, Tuzla and Zadar, and establishment and development of innovation laboratories in the cross-border area.
Proposed project is direct continuation of this project, including all project partners involved, lying on its results and striving to upgrade most of the resources and services which arose from 2CODE project.
As mentioned above, innovation laboratories were established and equipped within 2CODE project, including promo events to introduce target groups with opportunities lying in use of this type of facilities. In the meantime, need for upgrade of laboratories has been detected, including additional equipment, work program for labs and improvement of skills of laboratories staff which they will use to use a full potential of the equipment, as well as to be at full disposal to innovators, startups and other beneficiaries of the laboratory’s services. Additionally, while within CODE project the labs were established for each involved institution, within this project joint program for innovators will provide them with opportunity for networking and joint use of all resources.
Furthermore, within 2CODE project local ICT communities were strengthened with development of various services from which this target group can benefit. Proposed project tends to upgrade those services as well, including upgrade of work programmes of all 4 coworking spaces, joint cross-border program for their members and organization of small and large scale promotional events on important topics. (EN), CROWN
Crown of entrepreneurial ideas for success, Interreg IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Croatia-B&H-Montenegro 2014-2020
(EN) | The goal of the project was to strengthen entrepreneurial competencies with an emphasis on employment and the creation of innovative startup companies in order to increase the competitiveness of the cross-border area. The project included activities focused on the entrepreneurial capacities of young people who were tested and trained in the sphere of entrepreneurship over the course of two years. Through the conference, trainings, study visits, meetings with potential investors, and the preparation of crowdfunding campaigns, the foundations for the accelerated growth and development of startup companies were created. Through the project, entrepreneurship centers were also established and members of the team of project partners were trained in order to provide better support to entrepreneurs in the cross-border area.
Proposed project will upgrade offer of established entrepreneurship centers in Nikšić and Mostar through improvement of the work of business incubators acting within those centers, including development of the new programs and promotional campaigns. Furthermore, CROWN project included joint cross-border startup program, which is also planed within this project, providing local startups additional opportunities for networking with startups and mentors form cross-border area, as well as opportunity for larger reach to new markets. (EN), iNovaNET, Interreg IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Croatia-B&H-Montenegro 2014-2020, 2020-2022 (EN) | The main objective of the iNovaNET project was to increase the competitiveness of SMEs in the region through creation of favorable business environment, development of the business support infrastructure and improvement of the level of knowledge of the current and future entrepreneurs, students and employees. The goal was to provide quality industrial training for unemployed, students and high school students in order to be ready to respond to labour market demands. The project delivered a new collaborative scheme between business support institutions, education/school and entrepreneurs/enterprises with a vision on a sustainable mechanism supporting the competitiveness of the programme area.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre Technopolis equipped the cabinets for mechatronics, CNC and robotics within this project and that equipment will also be at disposal for beneficiaries of the proposed project, particularly innovators which will be involved in joint program for innovators.
(EN), Green CBC Network, Interreg IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Croatia-B&H-Montenegro 2014-2020, 2020-2022 (EN) | Project main objective was to establish a Cross-border Open Innovation Bio-economy Network (Green CBC Network) with the aim of increasing cooperation among SMEs, Business Support Institutions (BSIs) and R&D institutions. Series of educational events were organized for SMEs from the target area in order to increase their competitiveness. Apart from that, project partners conducted a survey in order to identify the technological needs of SMEs, the capacities of R&D Institutions to meet those needs, as well as possibilities of BSIs in the target area to enhance collaboration between the two. Also, one 1 green product design laboratory was equipped and established in Vinkovci and one bio-chemical laboratory in Nikšić.
Proposed project also foresees various types of educational events for SMEs, as well as different activities which involve cooperation of SMEs and SMEs, Business Support Institutions. Furthermore, results of survey related to the technological needs of SMEs will be taken into account in the processes of purchasing equipment for innovative laboratories.
(EN), BoostMeUp (EN) | BoostMeUp is a project which is implemented by IEC Tehnopolis together with partners and includes support to development of innovative business ideas through 1st pre-acceleration program in Montenegro. Program goal is to provide young people and teams an opportunity to develop their business ideas, including financial and mentoring support, as well as opportunity to use their infrastructure, in order to be able to commercialize their ideas and reach national, regional and global markets.
Proposed project will lean on experiences and lessons learned from this project in relation to development and implementation of pre-acceleration programme.
(EN), Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs – RISE / Groupe SOS Pulse; Franco-German Youth office; Francais Institute (EN) | The multiannual RISE (Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs) project is based in the Western Balkans and aims to support social entrepreneurship there. The implementation of the project takes into account the specific needs of the region as well as its historical and political context. Thus, the development of this project contributes to the dynamics of reconciliation.
The objective of the project is to address a specific and crucial need in the region in relation to its current context and history: opening new spaces of reconciliation for the youth of the Western Balkans through social entrepreneurship. The project, due to its very regional nature, will tend to increase the number of cross-border interactions around social entrepreneurship during the 3 years of the project and thereafter.
The project is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office for the Balkans (RYCO).
Even though proposed project is not focused on social entrepreneurship, experiences and lessons learned from IEC Tehnopolis in conducting the incubation program will be applied in developing new program for incubators as well as implementation of pre-acceleration program. (EN), TTAdria - Technology Transfer Infrastructure in the Croatian Adriatic Region, IPA IIIc Science and Innovation Investment Fund – SIIF, 2nd call, Lot 1, 2013-2015 (EN) | Project goal was to encourage and increase innovation by developing services, skills and competencies in the network of higher education institutions and public scientific institutes in the Croatian part of the Adriatic and improving the recognition and availability of the developed services. Lead partner was University of Split. The project brings together 16 partner institutions from the region, and its purpose was to strengthen cooperation between universities, institutes and businesses in the Adriatic part of Croatia and to increase the number and competitiveness of small and medium-sized companies in the region. By mapping knowledge and technologies, a cooperation base was built and it is available to companies in the region and beyond. Numerous sector meetings, workshops, b2b meetings, round tables and open days enabled entrepreneurs and scientists to discuss the commercialization and development of new products and technologies, as well as joint projects. Through the activities of the "TTAdria" project, the development and establishment of permanent services in the field of technology development at universities and public institutes was supported, which facilitated cooperation between science and business, improve the openness and connections between science and business, and actively involve the wider social community.
Proposed project will lean on results of this project, particularly when it comes to supporting the development and establishment of permanent services in the field of technology as well as active involvement of the wider social community in these processes. This will be done through development of work programmes of innovative laboratories where those previous experiences will be taken into account, as well as through promotional campaigns of the labs, whose initial goal is larger involvement of the wider social community in these processes. (EN), OPERAS-PLUS - On the road to sustainability: paving the way for OPERAS as an efficient open Social Sciences and Humanities scholarly communication Research Infrastructure, Horizon Europe, 2022-2025 (EN) | OPERAS is research infrastructure dedicated to improvement of open science communication for social and humanistic sciences in European Research Area (ERA)
The main objectives of the project are: to develop and strengthen the management structure of OPERAS, especially the financial, legal and human resource management aspects in accordance with the best practice of research infrastructure management, to support the establishment and development of OPERAS national nodes, setting up and managing the operation of the two-way exchange with the central hub, to develop the OPERAS portfolio of services by providing the necessary technology and monitoring systems for development services through innovation labs and to increase the impact of OPERAS in ERA and internationally by expanding beyond the current scope and including new members and countries in the infrastructure.
Project will lean on some of the aspects of the OPERAS-PLUS project, particularly goal related to development of the OPERAS portfolio of services by providing the necessary technology and monitoring systems for development services through innovation labs. This will be taken into account when developing innovation laboratories work programmes and joint program, particularly in development of cognitive modeling and intelligent systems laboratory in Zadar. (EN), “Coworking Zadar – Innovation through Collaboration”, ”The Business-Related Infrastructure Grant Scheme” from the IPA Operational Programme Regional Competitiveness 2007-2013., 2013-2015 (EN) | Project “Coworking Zadar – Innovation Through Collaboration” was approved for funding on the Call for Proposals ”The Business-Related Infrastructure Grant Scheme” from the IPA Operational Programme Regional Competitiveness 2007-2013.
Coworking Zadar initiative was triggered by the COIN Zadar project team made of entrepreneurial support institutions, as a logical step in order to be in line with a global coworking initiative that had an annual exponential growth. It went along with Zadar’s development strategy as a creative industry was recognized as an important direction in encouraging Zadar`s economic development and entrepreneurship.
Throughout the project, COIN public coworking space was established with the aim to increase self-employment possibilities, upgrade support services for SMEs, foster entrepreneurship and self-employment, and increase the competitiveness of micro entrepreneurs.
This project set basis for development of coworking community in the City of Zadar and it served as guidelines for developing projects CODE and 2CODE, which offered widening of coworking trends in Zadar, but also transfer of knowledge and best practices within this field to Mostar, Nikšić and Tuzla, who developed their own coworking communities later on.
So, proposed project will lean on basis set within this project in order to enable further development and sustainability of coworking spaces in involved cities as well as to use them as additional tool for upgrade support services for SMEs, particularly in ICT field.
(EN), Cowork.Net Erasmus +, KA2 in the field of youth (strategic partenrships) (EN) | Main project goal was to support self-employment possibilities of youth through coworking concept and improvement of business eco-system of young entrepreneurs through better cooperation among public, civil and private sector. Project coordinator was ZADRA NOVA, while City of Zadar was one of the partners. The European Coworking Network (Cowork.Net) project was implemented in partnership with five European countries and aimed at promoting the coworking concept among young people in order to develop their entrepreneurial ideas and projects. During the 24 months of the project, the partners will exchange experience in managing coworking space and community, and create special events aimed at networking and developing youth entrepreneurship.
Proposed project is in accordance with the Cowork.Net project, taking into account that it will continue to promote coworking concept and coworking spaces in involved cities as valuable resource for both young entrepreneurs who need initial resources for development of their business ideas, but also as significant benefit to local community in general. (EN), enGAGING: Gamification as Applied Growth-Hacking and Incubating method for improving New Ground-Based Skills in Start-uppers and Enterprises, 2015 -2017 (EN) | The goal of the enGAGING project was to create a pilot program for formal, informal and informal training that will be able to be replicated in business accelerators, business schools, research centers, coworking spaces, and public institutions operating in the field of entrepreneurship support. In addition to the Zadar County Development Agency ZADRA NOVA, which was the coordinator of the international consortium, the City of Zadar also participated in the partnership, and the partner consortium consisted of 8 organizations from Croatia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, Italy and Portugal.
Proposed project aims to develop new work programmes for business incubators, as well as new work programmes for coworking spaces (Code Hubs). Experiences in developing pilot programs for business incubators and coworking spaces from enGAGING project will be applied in developing those programs.
(EN), INTERA TP - Innovation Centre Mostar, The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2014-2017 (EN) | Project aim was to establish a combined business development facility - an innovation centre with elements of a technology park in Mostar (Herzegovina), focused on metal processing industry, ICT and renewable energy/energy efficiency. Lead partner was BOOST Global Innovation while the local partner was INTERA Technology Park. Through this project, INTERA supported establishment of 31 startup companies, 18 of them situated in INTERA incubator, and 13 of them using services of virtual incubation, with 115 new jobs created in those companies. Also, 27 different start-ups were awarded with 39 grants in total amount of more than 80 000 EUR, for starting their companies, consulting services or research and development projects. Also, more than 1000 participants attended more than 100 different workshops and trainings organized in INTERA through this project. 3 R&D projects were implemented in cooperation with university and local companies and 5 companies were assisted in establishing international cooperation.
Proposed project represents upgrade of the results of this project, takin into account that INTERA’s incubator was established within this project. Proposed activities will enable upgrade of those services, particularly work program of business incubator, in order to be more adjusted to today’s needs of local startup companies.
(EN), D4STARTUPS (EN) | The project created prerequisites for longer-term and increasingly intensive cooperation between the diaspora and domestic start-up companies, as well as existing business entities, which contributed to the economic development of B&H. Accordingly, the overall goal of the project was to contribute to maximizing the engagement of the diaspora in the economic development of BiH through the support and promotion of entrepreneurship and the development of start-ups.
This project will also partially lean on activities and results of this project, particularly the significance of involvement of external mentors with international experience in development of startups business ideas.
(EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 230 823.20

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 046 199.72

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 85.00%

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 1 046 199.72. Co-financing rate, 85.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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Deliverables:

Work program
Equipped innovation laboratories
Conducted trainings for staff
Conducted trainings for future innovators
Conducted program for innovators
Conducted campaigns
Revised program
Equipped Code Hubs
Developed solution for the Code Hubs management
Program for Code Hubs members
Organized meetups
Organized trainings
Organized hackathon
Organized conference
Conducted campaigns
Conducted analysis
Developed work program of business incubators in Mostar, Niksic and Zadar, and accelerator in Tuzla
Developed and implemented marketing strategy for business incubators
Developed program
Organized Bootcamp
Conducted pre-acceleration and mentorship program
Conducted program for ideas validation
Participation in PODIM conference
Video clip presenting preacceleration program

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion Proposed project is also in accordance with the general objective of the EUSAIR strategy, which is to promote economic and social prosperity and growth in the region by improving its attractiveness, competitiveness and connectivity. Based on all its activities and outputs, project will contribute to that specific goal as well, considering that improvement of competitiveness in the cross border area is in its focus as well.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion Project will contribute to the Danube Region Strategy Pillar C: Building Prosperity in the Danube Region and its 2 priorities: Competitiveness of Enterprises and People & Skills. Several problems identified within this pillar will be reached by proposed project: different innovation systems and limited mobility of researchers. Proposed project will enhance cross-border capacities of innovators through implementation of regional pilot support program for innovators which contributes to development of more unified innovation system and increased mobility of researchers, considering regional character of the program.
Furthermore, this pillar emphasizes issue of different competitiveness frameworks for enterprises, stating the opportunities lying in closer links. Proposed project will strengthen competitiveness and innovation capacities of the cross-border area through joint pre-acceleration program for startups which will contribute to joint and more unified competitiveness frameworks for young enterprises.
Project will contribute to the one of the objectives of Priority Area 9 - People and Skills: contribution to improved educational outcomes and relevant skills and competences focusing on learning outcomes for entrepreneurship and innovation. This will be reached through enhancing cross-border capacities of innovators and implementation of regional pilot support program and through strengthening regional ICT ecosystem through modernization of existing and development of new services. Finally, Priority Area 8 - Competitiveness of Enterprises, aims to support the competitiveness of enterprises in the Danube Region, through actions such as improvement of business support to strengthen the capacities of SMEs for cooperation and trade and support to enterprises through high performing training and qualification schemes. This will be tackled by proposed project through development and implementation of joint cross-border pre-acceleration programme for startups.
EuropeanGreenDeal Proposed project will partially contribute to European Green Deal as well, taking into account that European Green Deal emphasizes that it will ensure that there are opportunities for everyone through, among other things, strengthening the competitiveness of European companies.
When it comes to transforming the EU’s economy for a sustainable future, one of the main issues to be considered is mobilizing industry for a clean and circular economy. The transition is seen as an opportunity to expand sustainable and job-intensive economic activity. There is a significant potential in global markets for low-emission technologies, sustainable products and services. Likewise, the circular economy offers great potential for new activities and jobs. Proposed project will contribute to this strategy in a way that European Green Deal principles will be taken into account in developing the work programs of innovation laboratories and implementation of support program for innovators as well as in development and implementation of programs of incubators and accelerators, where the involvement of innovators and startups whose ideas and products are based on the European Green Deal goals will be particularly encouraged.
Other National development strategy of Republic of Croatia until 2030
Project also leans on National development strategy of Republic of Croatia until 2030, particularly Development goal 1: Sustainable economy and society and Strategic goal 1. Competitive and innovative economy with priority areas such as development of entrepreneurship and crafts and development of science and technology. Proposed project will contribute to development of that specific goal based on various planned activities which include development of the work program of innovation laboratories and support to innovators in development of their products, strengthening regional ICT ecosystem through modernization of existing and development of new services of coworking spaces and support to development of innovative business ideas through creation of supportive ecosystem for development of businesses.
Other Development plan Zadar County 2021 - 2027
Project is in accordance with Development plan of Zadar county 2021 – 2027, including strategic goal 1. Competitive and innovative economy. Within specific objective 1 - Creation of strong small and medium entrepreneurship and supportive business environment, some of the planned measures include development, modernization and strengthening of capacities of entrepreneurial infrastructure and supporting institutions as well as establishing of support models for easing approach to internationalization and financing of development and commercialization of new products.
Proposed project will directly contribute to realization of those measures through development of laboratory and providing following support to innovators in development and commercialization of their products, modernization of existing and development of new services of existing coworking space and development and implementation of cross-border business incubation/acceleration program.
Also, project is in accordance with the specific objective 3 - Increasing the role of science and research in the economy of Zadar County, with measures such as strengthening the capacities of science-research institutions and strengthening science-research dimension of business sector. Project will contribute to achievement of those measures through development of new type of laboratory (cognitive modeling and intelligent systems) followed by development of the program for support to innovators and other beneficiaries of the lab. Considering that the lab will be developed and owned by the University, it will be a valuable resource for strengthening the capacities of science-research institutions and strengthening science-research dimension of business sector.
Other Development strategy of City of Zadar
Project is in accordance with the City of Zadar development strategy. which underlines Objective 2: Increasing economic competitiveness, Priority 2.2. Improving the business climate, Measure 2.2.3. Promoting economic integration and the development of clusters, Measure 2.2.5. Education of entrepreneurs and encouraging networking and innovative ways of doing business entrepreneurs.
Other Development strategy of Federation B&H 2021 - 2027
One of the main strategic goals of this strategy is accelerated economic development. Two priorities within this goal are directly related to proposed project: 1.2. Support to transfer and development of technologies and 1.3. Support to development of business private sector.
Within the project, the plan is to strengthen the capacities of innovation laboratories and provide them with relevant resources in order to be able to satisfy the needs of the innovators as their main target group, which is in accordance with mentioned priority which emphasizes need for adequate logistic support and approach to new technologies for development of new products and services.
On the other hand, project plans to develop new and improved programs for incubation and acceleration of startups as well as joint cross-border implementation of the program, which is also in accordance with the mentioned strategic document, considering that it emphasizes need for stimulating entrepreneurial endeavors, need for financial support to startups as well as mentorship and creating opportunities for networking.
Other Development strategy of Herzegovina-neretva canton 2021 - 2027
Project is also in accordance with the development strategy of Herzegovina-neretva canton 2021 – 2027, particularly Strategic objective 1 – Dynamic economic development with sustainable use of resources, including increase of investment in infrastructure of research, development and innovation in private and public sector. This is in accordance with planned project activities which include investments in infrastructure of innovation laboratories and coworking spaces as well as investment in development of programs for support to innovators and startups in development of their business ideas and innovative products.
Other Development strategy of City of Mostar
Project is also in accordance with the Development strategy of City of Mostar, particularly its specific goal 1: Developed, competitive and economically dynamic City of Mostar, particularly its first priority, development of entrepreneurship and attracting investments. This includes development of new forms of entrepreneurial infrastructure which is in accordance with the activities of the proposed project, particularly 3rd set which is focused on supporting the development of innovative business ideas.
Other Development strategy of Tuzla canton 2021 - 2027
Proposed project also leans on Development strategy of Tuzla canton 2021 – 2027, particularly Strategic objective 1 – Dynamic economic development with sustainable use of resources, including increase of investment in infrastructure of research, development and innovation in private and public sector. This is in accordance with planned project activities which include investments in infrastructure of innovation laboratories and coworking spaces as well as investment in development of programs for support to innovators and startups in development of their business ideas and innovative products. This priority aims to improve entrepreneurial infrastructure and business environment and facilitate companies from this canton to direct their focus towards progressive development based on innovation, new technologies and specific and contemporary knowledge and skills which is in accordance with proposed activities, particularly activities focused on improvement of innovation laboratories and support to innovators as well as development of new methodologies for business acceleration which will lead to increased number of young startup companies developing innovative business solutions based on new technologies and lates trends.
Other Development strategy of City of Tuzla
Proposed project also has its grounds in ongoing development strategy of City of Tuzla which emphasizes local economic development, particularly orientation towards the innovations and effectivity of economic structure towards new production profiling, based on own innovative work and technology transfer. This is in accordance with activities in all 3 work packages, particularly support to development of innovation laboratories, support to upgrade of existing business incubators followed by development of new programs and support to further development of IT sector in this area.
Other Operative programme for implementation of Strategy of Smart Specialization 2021 – 2024 of Montenegro
Project also leans on several strategic goals of Operative programme for implementation of Strategy of Smart Specialization 2021 – 2024 of Montenegro, including Strategic Goal 4: Support to innovative activities in economy sector and Strategic Goal 5: Improvement of framework for innovative ecosystem. Strategic Goal 4 includes stimulation to development of innovative startups and innovative activities of SMEs as well as strengthening of international competitiveness of SMEs, which will all be tackled within this project proposal through activities focused on innovation laboratories and business incubation and acceleration.
On the other hand, Strategic Goal 5 includes promotion of significance of innovation, with focus on raising awareness among general public and companies, which is also in accordance with the proposed project, taking into account planned promotional campaign of innovation laboratories.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR

EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSAIR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Montenegro

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2025-12

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

37 / 37 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

167 / 167 (100%)

Notes on the data

The end dates of project: - RACE 2 - APOLLO - CODES - SMART STEP are an approximation based on the programme's List of Operations available on the programme's website on 2024 -09-18. There the end date is marked in quarters. Combined total of all projects partnerships (11764705.89) in field total_budget is larger than projects total (1499618.4) of total_budget.

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Cooperation for Development of Cross Border Business Environment Strengthened

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Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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