SMART SoluTions in Energy transition of Productive businesses

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

Date of latest update: 2026-04-23

Description

Description (EN):

Project represents effective response to key barriers towards urgently needed decarbonisation of project area' small and medium enterprises (SMEs) - largely neglected energy end-use sector, overlooked by energy efficiency (EE) policy of EU and individual European countries including B&H and RH. Vast opportunities for effective EE increase in SMEs' business processes and full use of their energy-saving potential have not yet been exploited for variety of obstacles, faced by stakeholders supposed to be key drivers of change (authorities, SMEs, academia). Most importantly - energy-performance parameters and pertaining EE-measures have not yet been standardised for the business sector, neither on EU-level nor in individual European countries. Therefore, such standardised approach as in case of energy-end-use building sector is not yet possible. It is because each business sector (i.e., manufacturing, construction, services) and sub-sector (i.e., manufacturing food, textile, furniture, etc.) has its own, different business technology, production machinery and equipment. Moreover, each sub-sector has a lot of different machinery systems and production lines of different compositions resulting in vast variety of their different energy-performance patterns & EE parameters. It is for this reason that detailed, evidence-based EE-regulations & standards for enterprises are not yet in place, which makes strategic approach to SME energy transition so difficult, even impossible, and relevant knowledge & skills of stakeholders (authorities, SMEs, academia and schools) so limited. For the same reason, knowledge base for EE in SMEs is limited to general observations, thus severely hampering SMEs' EE-investment efforts. The project will contribute to achieving smart, competitive, energy efficient &carbon-neutral project area' economy, by collaborative cross-border action establishing key preconditions needed to boost SME decarbonisation - creating single EE-classification valid for ALL considered SME sectors & sub-sectors, determining exact current energy consumption & saving potential of project area' SMEs, creating & adopting pertaining action plans & concrete financial-support mechanisms with SMART targets, and establishing functional knowledge-based Energy Transition Centres (ETCs) within Tuzla and Slavonski Brod Universities, tasked to assist SMEs' decarbonisation efforts & enabling them to learn on and uptake advanced EE technologies. All outputs will be new for project area, and some will be original at the project area', B&H and RH and EU levels: New & original in B&H and RH will be single common EE classification valid for all assessed SME sectors/sub-sectors, based on detailed quantitative &qualitative energy-performing profile determined for project area SMEs. New for project area will be: - Collaborative cross-border process engaging all PPs & stakeholders, setting strategic approach to energy transition of project area' SMEs via large-scale EE-investments - Strategic development framework with SMART targets for effective energy transition of project area' SMEs, developed through collaborative cross-border cooperation of all PPs & stakeholders - Methodology for setting SMART decarbonisation targets for SME energy transition, developed in collaborative cross-border process engaging all PPs & stakeholders - Collaborative cross-border process engaging all partners & key stakeholders to determine current SME energy consumption in TK & BPŽ and key parameters needed for SMART SME-decarbonisation planning - Rich EE knowledge base on project-area SMEs' current energy-consumption status & energy-saving potential - Collaborative cross-border process engaging all PPs & key stakeholders in setting-up functional knowledge-based ETCs for energy transition of BPŽ' and TK' enterprises - Functional knowledge-based research ETCs, fully equipped to support energy-transition of BPŽ' & TK' SMEs, both operating within public universities in Tuzla and Slavonski Brod, and - SME-decarbonisation knowledge-base & pertaining educational materials and tools, developed within the project by the two Energy Transition Centres. Main beneficiaries of these outputs will be SMEs and their organisations & support bodies (chambers of commerce, SME associations, local & regional development agencies, business incubators and start-up centres, etc), TK and BPŽ universities and other research institutions and secondary schools, local (municipal/city) & regional authorities, and general public including future SME owners and employees. Project will be implemented by unified Project Team staffed by all 4 PPs. It will have well-balanced distribution of tasks & responsibilities among PPs, with each PP bringing best of its knowledge, skills, institutional & technical resources, and such overall-project structure in which its objectives, outputs & results can be achieved only with active involvement in project implementation of each and every PP.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The project SMART STEP has made progress in laying the groundwork for the energy transition of SMEs in the TK and BPŽ. This reporting period was dedicated to establishing key strategic documents, conducting the first phase of SME energy assessments, and preparing the Energy Transition Centres (ETCs) at universities in Tuzla and Slavonski Brod. 1. Strategic Framework/Recommendations for SME energy transition (WP1) A core achievement of this period was the development of strategic framework/recommendations to guide SMEs in their transition towards energy efficiency (EE) and decarbonization. The collaborative efforts of project partners led to the completion of two key strategic documents: - TK Framework Strategy for SME energy transition - BPŽ Strategic Recommendations for SME energy transition Key achievements: - Formation of cross-border Working Groups (WGs), which included cantonal and county authorities, academic institutions, and business support organizations. - Strategic analysis of the relevant sector with a comprehensive socio-economic and energy transition SWOT analysis was conducted, identifying key sectors (such as metal, wood, and plastic processing) with the highest potential for improvements. - Stakeholder consultations included inclusive engagement, with public workshops and sector-wide meetings ensuring that the frameworks addressed real SME challenges. - Finalization and dissemination of Strategic Frameworks/Recommendations for SME energy transition. The strategic documents were completed and presented to relevant stakeholders, setting the stage for policy actions, financial mechanisms, and future SME support measures. Considering the legal frameworks related to development planning in the Federation of B&H, the Ministry of Economy provided a positive opinion on the TK Framework Strategy for SME energy transition, recognizing it as the foundation for adopting action plans and other relevant documents related to the energy transition of SMEs in TK. In BPŽ, the Strategic Recommendations for SME energy transition were completed and will be presented during one of the upcoming sessions of the BPŽ county assembly. This will take place in the second project implementation period since no session was held between the drafting of the document and the end of the reporting period. 2. Analysis of SME energy consumption (WP2) To establish evidence-based solutions for SME energy transition, preparatory activities were carried out to form Field Working Teams (FWTs) in TK&BPŽ that will conduct the research. Key achievements: - A well-designed Call for applications engaged students and coordinators from technical faculties in TK&BPŽ to form FWTs. - Five teams of students and coordinators, consisting of 25 individuals, were formed and prepared for assessments in TK. The USB published a Call for BPŽ. The deadline for submission of applications is 31.1.25. - A research methodology workshop (28-30.01.2025) is scheduled and workshop materials are prepared, where PP and mentors of FWTs will finalize Energy Efficiency Benchmarking Methodology including data collection, research techniques and analysis tools. 3. Setting up ETCs (WP3) One of the most impactful initiatives of the project is the establishment of ETCs. Key achievements included preparation for energy renovation, namely: A. In TK: - Detailed tender dossiers, for energy renovation of the Mechanical Faculty laboratory were prepared in line with Interreg regulations. - By the end of the reporting period, bid evaluations were underway, though bids exceeded the approved budget, requiring financial planning adjustments. - Supervision services were secured with a qualified supervision provider. B. In BPŽ: - The detailed mechanical engineering project, market research and development of tender documentation have started. Next steps include tender publication in February 2025, signing of contracts in April 2025 and opening of the construction site. - Tenders for the procurement of IT equipment and software were prepared, and open procurement procedures initiated in EOJN. Next steps include completion of evaluation and signing the contract with the selected supplier of IT equipment and software in February 2025. A hallmark of the SMART STEP project is the strong cross-border collaboration between TK&BPŽ. Key collaboration activities included: - Joint project management meetings ensuring efficient coordination across PP. - Cross-border workshops facilitating policy harmonization and strategy alignment for SME decarbonization. - Continuous communication between teams utilizing WhatsApp, online meetings, and in-person sessions for effective implementation. The SMART STEP project is already demonstrating significant added value in its first phase. Through its collaborative and cross-border approach, it has established a framework for SME decarbonization, initiated energy efficiency assessments, and laid the groundwork for support to SMEs. The SMART STEP project is advancing the energy transition of SMEs in Tuzla Canton (BiH) and Brod-Posavina County (Croatia) through a model of cross-border cooperation that integrates strategic planning, evidence-based research, institutional capacity building, and targeted communication. The project has achieved several key results, directly aligned with its specific objectives and contributing to EU and programme-level priorities for decarbonisation, SME support, and green innovation. 1. Strategic frameworks completed and adopted In the first reporting period, both project regions developed comprehensive long-term strategic documents: - Tuzla Canton Framework Strategy for the Energy Transition of SMEs (2025–2034); - Strategic Recommendations for the Energy Transition of SMEs in Brod-Posavina County (2025–2034). During this reporting period, the final version of the BPŽ Strategic Recommendations was officially submitted and presented to the newly constituted County Assembly, which unanimously adopted a conclusion acknowledging its importance. These documents define the vision, goals, and sectoral priorities for the SME energy transition and serve as a foundation for all upcoming interventions. 2. Launch of large-scale cross-border energy efficiency research A central pillar of SMART STEP is the implementation of field-based assessment to gather reliable data on energy consumption and technical parameters of SMEs. In this reporting period, progress included: - Joint methodology developed by Working Groups from BiH and Croatia; - A comprehensive SME database created for both TK and BPŽ, categorised by sector and sub-sector; - Seven Field Working Teams (FWTs) formed, trained, and deployed; - Cross-border training workshop as well as backstopping workshop held in TK&BPŽ; - By July 2025, 54 SMEs were visited and data collected, with additional site visits ongoing. - The database of current energy consumption data is under development and will be finalised in the upcoming period. 3. Benchmarking methodology prepared Under Activity A.2.2, a joint EE benchmarking methodology was developed during a two-day workshop held on 28 and 30 January 2025. This methodology includes: - Cross-border EE Index Matrix for sectors and sub-sectors; - Common A–G EE classification scale; - Scientific documentation with database structure and supporting calculations. The classification will serve as the basis for setting realistic EE targets, guiding SME investments, and designing public support schemes. 4. Establishment of Energy Transition Centres (ETCs) Major progress was made under Activity A.3.1, focused on energy-efficiency renovation and equipping of university facilities to create the two ETCs: - In Tuzla, the original tender procedure was cancelled due to excessive bids. A revised procurement was launched in five separate LOTs, resulting in signed contracts with five firms. Construction began in June 2025 and is ongoing. Total value: 1.125.185,24 KM, with 978.951,59 KM financed from project funds and 146.233,65 KM secured by the Tuzla Canton Government. - In Slavonski Brod, investment works are ongoing following procurement in multiple LOTs for building renovation, mechanical upgrades, and equipment. Contracts were signed for three lots; the remaining lots are in re-tender phase. Delivery of IT equipment for ETC purposes has been completed. 5. Capacity building and cross-border education Under Activity A.3.2, a cross-border educational workshop was held on 27 February 2025 in Tuzla, training students and mentors from TK and BPŽ in energy efficiency assessments. The training included lectures, case studies, data-entry simulations, and was delivered by university professors and external experts. It directly enhanced the research readiness and institutional capacity of the ETCs. 6. Knowledge-sharing symposium and outreach One of the key communication milestones under Activity A.3.3 was the international symposium “Energy Efficiency in Industry,” held on 11 June 2025 in Tuzla. Organised by the University of Tuzla in cooperation with CRP and the University of Slavonski Brod, the event gathered stakeholders from academia, government, SMEs, and the NGO sector. Highlights included: - Presentation of the SMART STEP project and SME energy audit results; - Cross-border expert panel with representatives from ministries, universities, and businesses; Communication around project activities has been strong, with over 30 media appearances, social media campaigns, and outreach through partner channels. The SMART STEP project exemplifies how cross-border collaboration can address complex challenges like SME decarbonisation through shared strategies, harmonised research, and capacity development. By jointly developing benchmarking tools and institutional infrastructure, the project creates lasting impact across national borders.

Project outputs: Collaborative cross-border research determining current energy consumption and key parameters of SMEs in the project area.(EN)
New common EE classification established for all assessed SME sectors in BIH and RH, based on detailed energy performance profiles for project area SMEs, with a rich energy-related knowledge base(EN)

Thematic information

Energy efficiency

Priority: (VI-A_HR-B-ME_2) Green investments in environmental protection and efficient risk management

Priority specific objective: RSO2.1. Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 044 Energy efficiency renovation or energy efficiency measures regarding public infrastructure, demonstration projects and supporting measures

Partners (4)

Lead Partner: Udruženje Centar za razvoj i podršku

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 209739510008

Address: Turalibegova , 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Department address: Turalibegova , 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://crp.org.ba

Total budget: EUR 857 384.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 728 776.74

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 128 607.66

Contractors:

Name: PAPILON d.o.o. Koraj-Čelić
VAT registration or tax identification number: 209236100007
Name: Rasimgradnja d.o.o. Gradačac
VAT registration or tax identification number: 209283520006
Name: Elektocentar Petek d.o.o Tuzla
VAT registration or tax identification number: 201699140007
Name: KOVAN GROUP d.o.o. Gračanica
VAT registration or tax identification number: 210418660006
Name: Marko Nisandzic
VAT registration or tax identification number: 0310957180042
Name: OFF SET doo Tuzla
VAT registration or tax identification number: 209109760006
Name: nLogic doo Sarajevo
VAT registration or tax identification number: 202445420006
Name: Mit Alex doo Tuzla
VAT registration or tax identification number: 209109500004
Name: DSO Aktiva Tuzla
VAT registration or tax identification number: 4310602810007
Name: Atrius projekt doo Zivinice
VAT registration or tax identification number: 210040720005

Brodsko-posavska županija

Name: Brodsko-posavska županija

Partner’s ID if not PIC: OIB: 27400987949

Address: Petra Krešimira IV , 35000 Slavonski Brod, Croatia

Department address: Petra Krešimira IV , 35000 Slavonski Brod, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://bpz.hr/

Total budget: EUR 325 007.64

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 276 256.49

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 48 751.15

Contractors:

Name: AUTOR-Studio za graf. dizajn
VAT registration or tax identification number: 24083323793

Sveučilište u Slavonskom Brodu

Name: Sveučilište u Slavonskom Brodu

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 33027834374

Address: Ulica 108. brigade ZNG, 35000 Slavonski Brod, Croatia

Department address: Ulica 108. brigade ZNG, 35000 Slavonski Brod, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.unisb.hr/

Total budget: EUR 881 770.68

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 749 505.07

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 132 265.61

Contractors:

Name: BROD UNO d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 19122096728
Name: ĐURO ĐAKOVIĆ Stan d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 81972063656
Name: PROXIMA INFORMATIKA d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 35956517501
Name: ENERGO PROJEKT d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 73602951163
Name: POSREDOVANJE VIDOVIĆ d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 83873150021
Name: GROZD TRADE d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 74180481221

Vlada Tuzlanskog kantona

Name: Vlada Tuzlanskog kantona

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ID: 4209418710005

Address: Rudarska, 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Department address: Rudarska, 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://vladatk.kim.ba/

Total budget: EUR 245 536.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 208 705.77

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 36 830.43

Contractors:

Name: SAR-LIGHT d.o.o. Tuzla
VAT registration or tax identification number: 209043640004

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Brod-Posavina County

SMART SoluTions in Energy transition of Productive businesses

Partners and Projects info

University of Slavonski Brod

SMART SoluTions in Energy transition of Productive businesses

Partners and Projects info

The Tuzla Canton Government

SMART SoluTions in Energy transition of Productive businesses

Partners and Projects info

Association Centre for Development and Support

SMART SoluTions in Energy transition of Productive businesses

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): SMART SoluTions in Energy transition of Productive businesses

Project acronym: SMART STEP

Project ID: HR-BA-ME00008

Project start date: 2024-07-15

Project end date: 2027-01-14

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

2 projects implemented by CRP, TK & BPŽ in IPA Interreg CBC HR-BA-ME 2014-2020:
1. Innovative minds for smart schools - SMART SCHOOLS (1st Call, 27 months, completed)
It addresses low RES-share, EE-inefficient public buildings & coal dominance in B&H, all due to (a) lack of decision makers' institutional capacity to enforce effective solutions being unaware of EE&RES' development opportunities & (b) low public knowledge on affordable EE&RES methods. Project trained school staff in energy management, EE-renovated 7 schools & installed new RES capacity, equipped 2 school-labs & supported 20 students' IT/technical innovations. It created 640 new green jobs, 977 t annual CO2 reduction & 105.890 Eur annual budgetary saving. It benefitted 30000 students & school staff.
2. Innovative minds for ICT smart schools - SMART SCHOOLS 2 (2nd Call, 30 months, completion 14.10.2023)
It is colourful combination of EE-investment, art &culture as innovative education tool, smart ICT, large energy-saving school competition - all empowering students &staff, regional &local officials to apply affordable EE principles. In parallel, active public communication increases citizens' awareness on EE&RES' win-win socio-economic benefits.
Project addresses air pollution caused by fossil-fuels combined with low EE & low solar-energy use due to poor knowledge of decision makers & &citizens on efficient affordable solutions decarbonisation tools. It builds 4,88 MW new RES-capacity installed in 35 schools, and EE-measures (school-facades &joinery). Using significant number of 19 heat-energy biomass-boilers & 24 solar PV plants, PPs produce CBC knowledge base on their technical & energy-effects and disseminate it to target groups. Project annually generates 6.544.733 kWh renewable energy, 4.356.777 kwh energy saving combining effects of EE-measures, energy-saving school competition &IC technology and school-staff' energy-management knowledge, 1901t CO2 emission-reduction & new 1559 green jobs. (EN) | 1. Teamwork and very positive cross-border collaboration among all PPs while implementing these two projects resulted in very productive synergies. SMART SCHOOLS was implemented by 5 partners (CRP, TK, BPŽ, Zelena akcija from Zagreb, and Brod ecological society from Slavonski Brod), and SMART SCHOOLS 2 by 3 (CRP, TK, BPŽ). Our synergistic partnerships achieved much better results than if we had implemented the project individually. We had much better brainstorming sessions, more creative solutions, and more risk-solving opportunities:). As a very stable and long-term partnership, We CRP, TK and BPŽ will further strengthen our stable partnership in this, our third joint project, and multiply its synergic effects.
2. PPs' individual and collective experiences related to procurement and pertaining market situation:
- tendering & contracting as per PRAG (practical structure of Instruction to tenderers, especially in terms of specific conditions and lists of required documents and conditions, how to have balanced tender dossiers fulfilling PRAG requirements and not being too burdensome for bidders)
- EE-investment tendering, contracting and supervision of work-execution (how to formulate work-positions for different EE-measures, which technical standards and attests to require, risks and how to minimize them, etc)
- tendering & contracting for various supplies and services
All of these will be directly incorporated in this project and adjusted to specific context of each procurement.
3. Communication results achieved in previous two projects (personal connections, contact lists, built friendships & positive relationships) will be further scaled up in this project, by contacting the same target groups (schools, local authorities, SMEs, NGOs) and media, and their already known representatives. Also, PPs will use and further scale up the most effective communication and public-reach channels and methods. (EN), "Promotion of energy efficiency" programme, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) - B&H Office, and commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation (BMZ)
Within this programme CRP implemented many service contracts, including:
- Development of National EE Action Plans 2016-2018 for B&H, Federation B&H and Republika Srpska
- Development of National EE Action Plans 2019-2021 for B&H, Federation B&H and Republika Srpska
- Development of Technical Instruction Manuals for private sector involved in EE renovation in B&H residential sector
- Capacity building of public and private construction sector actors in implementing EE in B&H building
- Operationalisation of cantonal EE action plans - Design & implementation of training programme for cantons to create EE action plans
- Development of cantonal EE Action Plan' format
- Development of formats for local EE action plans of municipalities /cities in Federation B&H and Republika Srpska, and reports on implementation of local EE action plans by municipalities/cities in Federation B&H and Republika Srpska
- Development of distribution of indicative energy saving targets of the Federation BiH per cantons, and of relevant criteria & distribution parameters (CRP developed document „Evaluation of the reality of energy saving indicative objectives from the Final draft of energy efficiency action plan for the Federation BiH for period 2010-2018“) (EN) | Note: The EU Energy Efficiency Directive, the key legal instrument in the EE area, requires Member States and Energy Community Treaty' members (such as B&H) to put in place measures to achieve the national EE target, contributing to achievement of the EU targets. Their National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAPs) must detail measures in the supply, transmission & distribution of energy and in energy end-use sectors. Countries need to prepare and submit NEEAPs as strategic documents setting coherent approach to improve EE at national level.
All here listed plans were adopted by decision makers, submitted to and approved by the Energy Community Secretariat in Viena. They contain numeric energy-saving targets and detailed lists &description of EE programs &measures in all energy end-use sectors (public buildings, residential buildings, industry, public & commercial services, transport) for all levels - State, Entities, Cantons and each City/Municipality). Measures include legislation, EE&RES investment, education, research, and public awareness raising. As service provider CRP was part of the GIZ team leading working group composed of all relevant state, FB&H and RS Ministries, EE-funds and energy regulators.
Synergies with this project:
1. Rich experience of CRP as one of creators of these NEEAPs (for B&H, Federation B&H, Republika Srpska) gained in the field of EE planning at all governmental levels, and TK' experience in creating its EE Action Plan, will be included in this project and up scaled b PPs in the process of creating TK & BPŽ' strategic development framework for SME-decarbonisation (strategies, action plans, policy & financial mechanisms).
2. Substantial knowledge in various legislative, technical and managerial EE-topics developed by CRP and delivered in numerous educational workshops in wide-scale capacity building projects targeting all B&H EE-stakeholders (authorities, SMEs, academia, practitioners) will be used & scaled up in this project. (EN), Programs implemented by UNDP - B&H Office:
"GED - Green Economic Development" and
" Low Carbon - Scaling up Investment in Low-Carbon Public Buildings"
As service provider, CRP in these programs created following strategic documents (as process leader & technical support provider tasking teams of relevant authority levels):
- Typology of Public Buildings in B&H, consisting of 3 compatible and at the same time independent studies - for B&H, Federation B&H, and Republika Srpska. It is a mandatory document, but with very few EU countries having it. In the process of creating these documents CRP also conducted large-scale census of ALL public buildings in B&H, in collaboration with all governments & institutions. Census resulted in list of some 7,600 public buildings and their key relevant information.
- Development of Financial & Policy Mechanisms for 12 B%&H Cities and Municipalities for Improving EE in their Residential Sector
- Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) for 20 B&H Municipalities/Cities
- EE Action Plans for public buildings under jurisdiction of: Sarajevo Canton, Tuzla Canton & Una-Sana Canton
- Development of study “Green Jobs – Analysis of effects of implementation of EE measures on employment in B&H"
- Integrated Development Strategy of Tuzla Canton 2016-2020
- Integrated Development Strategy of Posavina Canton 2016-2020
- Proposal of the programme for strategic decrease of CO2 emission in Tuzla town in period 2013-2040 (to be submitted by UNDP BiH to International NAMA Facility within UNFCCC)
- Integrated Development Strategy 2016-2020 for: Bijeljina town, Gradačac town, Lopare municipality, Vlasenica municipality
- Sustainable energy action plan (SEAP) 2012-2015 for Tuzla municipality (building sector)
- Technical assistance to 12 B&H Municipalities /Cities in creating Local Environmental Action Plans (LEAPs), in which EE as the most efficient tool for environmental protection was emphasised and developed in detail (EN) | PPs will use, transfer into this project and further develop and up-scale following knowledge, expertise and skills built in the implementation of listed UNDP-funded contracts:
MOST IMPORTANTLY: methodological approach to EE-standardisation & energy-performance classification of end-users in different energy-consumption sectors. In case of here listed service contract with UNDP we created EE typology of public buildings in B&H, Federation B&H and Republika Srpska, but it will be directly applicable to SME EE-classification to be developed in our project
MOST IMPORTNATLY: methodological & technical aspects of creating financial & policy mechanisms aimed to enable upscaling investments in EE-measures (in residential buildings in this case)
- methodological, organisational, managerial & logistical aspects of conducting large-scale field-based research covering thousands of units B&H-wide (public buildings in this case)
- methodological, organisational, managerial & logistical aspects of conducting census of all B&H public buildings
- methodological & technical aspects of EE & climate-related strategic planning at different authority-levels
- methodological & technical aspects of research pertaining to green-job creation
- EE legislative & regulations in EU, B&H and RH
- methodological aspects of communication with all target groups (authorities, SMEs, building owners) and already built institutional & personal relations with their representatives
- methodological aspects of providing various types of technical support to authorities and other target groups in their strategic-development planning (desk work, education, coaching the process, troubleshooting)
- in-depth knowledge of various obstacles (financial, technical, educational, logistical, legislative, regulatory, etc) faced by different target groups (authorities, SMEs, building owners, etc) willing to improve EE in their area of operation
- proven risk identification & management experience & skills (EN), Programs implemented by UNDP - B&H Office:
"GED - Green Economic Development" and
" Low Carbon - Scaling up Investment in Low-Carbon Public Buildings"
Within these programs CRP as service provider, created following studies in various aspects of EE:
- Impact study of EE effects to social development and integration of gender principles
- Cost-Benefit analysis of mitigation measures for the Third National Report of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Climate Changes, for UNFCCC
- EE study on entire residential housing stock in Tuzla Canton, and individual studies for Tuzla, Doboj istok, Lukavac, Tešanj, Bihać, Banovići & Maglaj cities/municipalities
- 11 energy efficiency studies for public buildings, covering total 3161 buildings (some 50% of total B&H public buildings) in total, as follows:
- EE study for 800 public buildings - 450 in FB&H, and 350 in RS (2019)
- EE study for 550 public buildings in the Federation BiH (2017)
- EE study for 500 public buildings in Republika Srpska (2017)
- EE study for 550 public buildings in the Federation BiH (2016)
- EE study for public buildings 361 buildings in Central Bosnia Canton, West Herzegovina Canton, and Canton 10 (2015)
- EE study for 500 public buildings in the Federation BiH (2015)
- EE study for 378 public buildings in Tuzla Canton (2014)
- EE study for 11 public buildings in Glamoč municipality (2014)
- EE study for 100 school buildings in Republika Srpska (2013)
- EE study for 211 public buildings in Una-Sana Canton (2013)
- EE audits of over 160 public buildings in B&H (with total audited area of 300.000 m2) and creating EE-elaborates
- EE audits of public lightning systems in 8 municipalities and creating EE-elaborates
- A lot of trainings in the EE fields (energy management, technical EE aspects, renewable energy sources) developed by CRP and delivered to various target groups (authorities, SMEs, citizens) (EN) | PPs will use, transfer into this project and further develop and up-scale following knowledge, expertise and skills built in the implementation of listed UNDP-funded contracts:
- socio-economic aspects and wider context of EE, and pertaining horizontal & cross-cutting issues (sustainable development, equal opportunities for disadvantages groups and gender equality)
- methodological and technical aspects of conducting cost-benefit analysis pertaining to various EE-aspects and various types of energy end-users
- methodological, organisational, managerial and logistical aspects of conducting large-scale field-based research covering thousands of units B&H-wide (public buildings and residential buildings in this case) and needed for development of listed EE studies of public and residential buildings
- EE legislative and regulations in EU, B&H and RH
- technical and regulatory aspects of EE in various end-use energy sectors (public buildings, residential buildings, public services, SME) and pertaining EE-calculation methods
- energy auditing of buildings and public services
- curricula of educational workshops held for different target groups in various EE-aspects (technical, socio-economic, climate mitigation and adaptation, managerial, etc)
- methodological aspects of communication with all target groups (authorities, SMEs, building owners) and already built institutional and personal relations with representatives of all of them
- methodological aspects of providing various types of technical support to authorities and other target groups in their strategic-development planning (desk work, education, coaching the process, troubleshooting, etc)
- in-depth knowledge of various obstacles (financial, technical, educational, logistical, legislative and regulatory, etc) faced by different target groups (authorities, SMEs, building owners, etc) willing to improve EE in their area of operation
- proven risk identification & management experience & skills (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 309 698.92

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 963 244.07

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

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 1 963 244.07. Co-financing rate, 85.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I3.1 - Establishment of ETC within TZ University - EUR 500 530.00 - country: Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA), town: Campus of the UNTZ, Armije BiH bb, 75000 Tuzla,BiH, Federacija Bosne i Hercegovine (BA02), Federacija Bosne i Hercegovine (BA020)
I3.2 - Establishment of ETC within the SB University - EUR 612 000.00 - country: Hrvatska (HR), town: Slavonski Brod, Panonska Hrvatska (HR02), Brodsko-posavska županija (HR024)

Deliverables:

TK Framework Strategy /BPŽ Strategic Recommendations for long-term energy transition of their SMEs
Printed & audio-visual records of collaborative cross-border strategy-creation WGs' gatherings
Communication tasks' audio-visual records, media coverage, publications, and PPs' website/fb posts
TK Action Plan /BPŽ Action Plan' Recommendations for Energy Transition of their SMEs
TK Financial Mechanism /BPŽ Financial Mechanism Recommendations for Energy Transition of their SMEs
Records of collaborative cross-border WGs' gatherings on creating action plans & finance mechanisms
Communication task' audio-visual records, media coverage, publications, and PPs' website/fb posts
Cross-border Call for Application dossier to setup students & coordinators' Field Working Groups
Cross-border database comprising key business-information on all SMEs identified in project area
Cross-border database with current energy-consumption information for all SMEs in statistical sample
Printed & audio-visual records tracking collaborative cross-border gatherings of WGs and FWTs
Communication task' written and audio-visual records, media coverage and PPs' website/fb posts
Cross-border database with current energy-efficiency indicators for all SMEs in statistical sample
Single EE classification of project area' SMEs valid for all assessed business sectors & sub-sectors
Printed & audio-visual records tracking collaborative cross-border gatherings of WGs and FWTs
Communication task' audio-visual records, media coverage, publications, and PPs' website/fb posts
Implementation of EE-investment works
Supply&installation of tech&IT equipment in Centres' laboratories, offices, classrooms & other rooms
Audio-visual records, media coverage, publications, and PPs' website/fb posts on communication task
Written & audiovisual records of advanced cross-border educational workshops for ETCs' members
Written & audiovisual records, media coverage, and PPs' website/fb posts on the communication task
Online platforms for Energy Transition Centres' communication with SMEs and other target groups
Written & audiovisual records on educational workshops for SMEs held in Energy Efficiency Centres
Records of one-to-one technical assistance provided by two Centres to project area's SMEs
User-friendly online tool for calculating comparable SME' energy-efficiency status
Records of cross-border experience-exchanging networking events gathering SMEs & other stakeholders
Records of cross-border Field Working Teams' competition in practical SMEs' green-energy solutions
Audio-visual records, media coverage, publications and PPs' website/fb posts on communication events
Installation of EE/RES equipment in BPŽ secondary schools
Written, audio-visual and electronic records documenting the Smartphone Film Festival
Set of short smartphone films produced and submitted within the Festival umbrella
Film Festival' e-Platform, located within the existing Energy Transition Centres' online platforms
Electronic & audio-visual modalities of and records on Festival' communication with target audience

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion The general objective of this Strategy (EUSAIR - "a blue-green Strategy for the future") is to promote economic and social prosperity and growth in the region by improving its attractiveness, competitiveness and connectivity. With four EU members and four non-EU countries EUSAIR will contribute to the further integration of the Western Balkans. Although EUSAIR' pillars are Blue Growth (blue technologies, fisheries &aquaculture, maritime and marine governance and services), Environmental Quality (marine environment, terrestrial habitats and biodiversity), Connecting the Region (maritime transport, intermodal connections to the hinterland, energy networks) and Sustainable Tourism, there are following Strategy' priorities to which this project will directly or indirectly contribute:
1. Fostering social, economic and territorial cohesion to reduce disparities in the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region through cooperation - our project IS about cross-border cooperation;
2. (Within Pillar 3): Protection and enhancement of natural terrestrial habitats and ecosystems - by promoting EE and use of renewable energy sources, project will contribute by reducing pressure on terrestrial habitats and ecosystems that are caused by fossil-fuel facilities (power plants and their vast slag-dumps, large areas of open-cast mines, etc) through:
- reduction of climate change impacts,
- reduction of environmental pollution.
3. (Within Pillar 4): Research & development for improvement of SMEs' performance and growth diversification - by setting strategic planning framework enabling institutional policy & financial support to SME-decarbonisation and increase of their EE, by educating SMEs on their win-win business-development opportunities placed in EE and renewable energy sources, and by establishing knowledge-based energy transition centres aiming to support SMEs' green investments, networking and cross-border cooperation.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion Out of 12 Priority Areas of this Strategy (EUSDR), our project directly contributes to:
Priority Area 2 (Sustainable energy), by promoting EE, renewable energy sources and GHG emission reduction, and therefore:
- contributing to reduction of need for fossil fuels in the project area and in B&H and RH in general;
- contributing to reaching B&H' and RH' national targets by 2030 in order to contribute to the collaborative EU 30% renewable energy in the overall use by 2030 while complying with the National Emission Ceilings.
This will be done by:
- promoting EE in SMEs & public buildings and installation of new capacities for production of locally available renewable energy (biomass, solar, geothermal) that increasing security of energy supply;
- Reducing GHG emissions thus contributing to climate-change mitigation.
Also, our project will indirectly contribute to:
- Priority Area 6 (Biodiversity &landscapes, quality of air &soil), by promoting EE and GHG emission reduction, thus contributing to reducing severe pressures placed on biodiversity and landscape and polluting air &soil) - project will promote replacement of environmentally harmful fossil fuels (coal, oil) with clean and renewable energy sources (solar, geothermal, biomass, etc) which will result in reduction of greenhouse-gasses emissions thus contributing to climate-change mitigation.
- Priority Area 7 (Knowledge society), by establishing knowledge-based Energy Transition Centres tasked to assist energy transition of project area' SMEs.
- Priority area 8 (Competitiveness and enterprises), by helping SMEs to increase competitiveness by increasing EE of their processes.
- Priority area 9 (People and skills), by promoting skills-development and knowledge in the EE field among various target groups.
- Priority area 10 (Institutional capacity and cooperation) by increasing cross-border cooperation between B&H and HR as countries included in this Region.
EuropeanGreenDeal
Increasing EE is a key component of the EU climate-change mitigation efforts and the European Green Deal representing set of policy initiatives aiming to decarbonize European economy and fulfil economic goals. The implementation of EE improvement measures and new investments lead to energy savings thus reducing GHG emissions and having multiple benefits for the energy sector, environment, economy and society as a whole.
European Green Deal is the EU’s plan to become climate-neutral by 2050. It is a package of policy initiatives, which aims to set the EU on the path to a green transition, with the ultimate goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050, decarbonising EU economy and transforming the EU into a fair and prosperous society with a modern & competitive economy.
Project will directly contribute to all four Green Deal's objectives:
1. Reduce net EU greenhouse gas emissions to 55% below 1990 levels by 2030, and
2. EU-wide climate neutrality by 2050
- by setting (a) strategic development framework for SME-decarbonisation, (b) single EE classification valid for all SME, finally overcoming burning issue of business sector whose heterogenous not EE-standardised energy patterns preclude SMART planning for its decarbonisation, and (c) two knowledge-based research Energy Transition Centres supporting green transition of project area' SMEs,
- by EE-investments in existing public buildings within TZ and SB Universities, aiming to transform them in SME Energy Transition Centres
3. Stimulate the creation of green jobs and maintain the EU’s record of cutting greenhouse gas emissions while growing its economy - by increasing SMEs' competitiveness via energy-cost reduction, and by creating new EE-technology green jobs
4. Ensure that the transition is fair and leaves no one behind - by creating place for active involvement of all stakeholders & target groups in project implementation (academia and schools, SMEs and their support bodies, authorities, general public)
Other UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Project directly contributes to following sustainable development goals (SDGs) of this Agenda:
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all:
- Target 7.2: A number of EE-measures to be applied in public buildings and promoted to SMEs will contribute to increasing share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption
- Target 7.3: Widely promoted EE-measures will improve energy performance of local SMEs and reduce their energy intensity
- Target 7a: Funding this project will increase international public financial flows in support of clean energy in developing countries
- Target 7b: Installation of several renewable-energy production facilities (i.e.solar and geothermal systems on Energy Transition Centres' buildings and in SMEs' processes) will increase overall capacity of such facilities in B&H and RH
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts:
- By definition, EE measures that will be implemented and/or promoted in our project are most powerful climate-change mitigation measures reducing GHG emissions in atmosphere. These measures including use of renewable energies, reduce need for fossil-fuel energy currently used in public buildings, and produced in target SMEs and power-pants (and then used by SMEs).
Also, project will indirectly contribute to following Agenda's goals:
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination - in project context caused by combustion of fossil fuels
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Other National Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia
Project directly contributes to and perfectly matches its following strategic goals & priorities:
Strategic objective 8: Environmental & energy transition for climate neutrality
Priority 1: Protection of natural resources and combatting climate changes
- project reduces use of fossil (coal, oil) energy, by EE-investments (EE-measures & installation of facilities producing solar& geothermal energy) in public buildings to be transformed in Energy Transition Centres, and promotes SME-decarbonisation, both resulting in reduction of GHG emissions, thus directly contributing to climate-change mitigation
Priority 2: Energy self-sufficiency and transition towards clean energy
- As mentioned above, EE-investment works (EE-facade & joinery, installation of facilities for generating solar a& geothermal energy) and their public promotion will directly & indirectly contribute to increase of energy self-sufficiency (by reducing the need for its import) and to the clean-energy transition
Strategic objective 1: Competitive & innovative economy
Priority 1: Development of globally competitive, green and digitalized industry
- Manufacturing SMEs (making significant part of the overall HR industry) are key project target group. Project is highly relevant to this priority, as it is about creating all preconditions necessary for large-scale SME-decarbonisation & their green transition (creating not existing before in B&H the EE-classification for SMEs, BPŽ strategic framework & financial mechanisms, and knowledge-based centre tasked to support SMEs' energy transition). Implementation of advanced EE-measures by project area' SMEs will significantly increase their competitiveness locally and globally, by modernising their work-processes, reducing their energy bills and improving their image of environmentally friendly enterprises.
Other Development Strategy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2021-2027
Project directly contributes to and perfectly matches its following strategic goals & priorities:
Strategic Objective 3: Resource-efficient & sustainable development:
Priority 3.2: Improve air quality /3.2.1 Reduce air pollutants & GHG emissions
- project reduces use of fossil (coal, oil) energy, by EE-investments (EE-measures & installation of facilities producing solar& geothermal energy) in public buildings to be transformed in Energy Transition Centres, and promotes SME-decarbonisation, both resulting in reduction of GHG emissions & pertaining air pollutants coming from fossil-fuel combustion
Priority 3.3: Increase energy efficiency
3.3.1 Increase EE in buildings
- As mentioned above, EE-investment works (EE-facade & joinery, installation of facilities for generating solar a& geothermal energy) and their public promotion will directly & indirectly contribute to implementation of this priority
3.3.2 Support SMEs to increase their EE and apply green-economy principles
- Project is about creating all preconditions necessary for large-scale SME-decarbonisation & their green transition (creating not existing before in B&H the EE-classification for SMEs, TK strategic framework & financial mechanisms, and knowledge-based centre tasked to support SMEs' energy transition)
Priority 3.4: Start implementation of energy transition
3.4.1 Increase energy-supply security
- By installing new renewable-energy generation capacities (in Energy Transition Centre), project will directly contribute to reduced need for importing energy and for its domestic fossil-fuels production
3.4.2 Increase share of renewable energy sources in final energy consumption
- New solar & geothermal energy capacity and their wide promotion among all target groups will directly contribute to increased share of renewable energy in several final-energy consumption sectors (public buildings, residential buildings, SMEs)

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

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. Partnership EmBRACE Combined total of all projects partnerships (11764705.47) in field total_budget is larger than projects total (1499617.98) of total_budget.

Languages

Contact Form

SMART SoluTions in Energy transition of Productive businesses

Description

Thematic information

Partners (4)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

Disclaimer