Panel Discussion “Smart Specialisation Strategies in the EUSAIR and Western Balkans region” held at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka

The panel began with introductory remarks in which the speakers presented the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) concept from both a theoretical and empirical perspective. They outlined the EU’s experience with S3 in the previous programming periods, highlighting its role as a key policy framework for innovation-driven growth. Particular attention was given to the challenges of implementation, as practice often shows a gap between the priorities defined in strategies and the actual allocation of resources and policies needed to support them.

The discussion further addressed the differences between the two EU programming periods. In 2014–2020, S3 strategies were more concrete in identifying priority sectors for support, while in 2021–2027 there  have been more priority sectors identified. The panelists highlighted the issue of limited collaboration between priority sectors across EU Member States. Experience indicates that companies are generally more inclined to collaborate within their national borders than across them.. This raised questions about how well the current approaches capture regional diversity and strengths.Also, the experiences in S3 design and implementation in the EUSAIR and Western Balkan countries were presented.  A key point of the panel was the presentation of the Erasmus+ project Smart Innovation Centres, which underscored the importance of building innovation centres at partner universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania. These centres are expected to strengthen research and innovation capacities, foster university–industry collaboration, and support the broader S3 process in the Western Balkans.

Regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina, panelists underlined that the S3 drafting and adoption process is excessively long, due to political issues. Nevertheless, S3 was assessed as a perspective framework. Recommendations focused on improving monitoring and evaluation, ensuring stronger involvement of regional actors, and securing access to EU and international funding opportunities.

Published 16.09.2025 at 13:07

Panel entitled “Smart Specialisation Strategies in the EUSAIR and Western Balkans region

The Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, in cooperation with the Polytechnic University of Marche in Ancona and partners from the SMART project, is organizing a panel titled “Smart Specialisation Strategies in the EUSAIR and Western Balkans region.”

The panel will bring together experts from academia, institutions, and the non-governmental sector:

• Mateja Geder (DOBA University Maribor, Slovenia)
• Ron A. Boschma (Utrecht University, Netherlands)
• Donato Iacobucci (UNIVPM, Ancona, Italy)
• Emanuele Fabbri (European Commission)
• Goran Janković (EDA Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, BiH)

The session will be moderated by Dr. Jadranka Petrović, Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka.

The event will take place on Thursday, 11 September 2025, starting at 11:45, at the Ceremonial Hall (4th floor), Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka.

The event can also be accessed via the following link: https://zoom.us/j/99428763773?pwd=GZQelbUX8bdEV6T3XjnYesD1aDD84o.1

Published 10.09.2025 at 15:18

Training Held for Businesses and Non-Partner Universities on the Topic of Smart Specialisation

On Thursday, May 22, a training session on the topic of smart specialisation was held at the premises of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka. The event also included a presentation of the SMART project to businesses and non-partner institutions and individuals. The training was primarily intended for business representatives, as well as institutions and other interested professionals not directly involved in the SMART project at the University of Banja Luka (UNIBL).

During the event, Prof. Dragan Gligorić, PhD, Associate Professor and Head of the Innovation Center – SMART at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, delivered a lecture on smart specialisation. He placed special emphasis on the impact of implementing this strategy on the operations of business entities and the skills necessary for its application. In addition, he presented the key activities, objectives, and results achieved so far within the Erasmus+ project. Participants had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the concept of smart specialisation as a development tool of the European Union being integrated into the development policies of the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The focus of the training was on the importance of smart specialisation for economic transformation and adaptation, as well as the current state and outlook of this process in the Republic of Srpska. The training also addressed the development of the smart specialisation strategy, highlighting the roles of various stakeholders, including academia, businesses, institutions, media, and civil society.

The training aimed to raise awareness and build the capacity of industrial and institutional actors regarding the potential and application of smart specialisation. It also sought to strengthen cooperation between project partner and non-partner entities in the process of designing and implementing policies based on successful practices from within the country and the region.

Prof. Dr Goran Janjić, a member of the project team, presented the future courses to be implemented, particularly those focused on improving business efficiency and promoting resource-light economic growth.

The event was recognised as an important step toward broader inclusion and networking of all relevant stakeholders in the smart specialisation process. A total of 30 participants attended the training, including 18 representatives from companies and non-partner universities and institutions.

Published 06.06.2025 at 07:09

Invitation to the Training on Smart Specialisation (SMART Erasmus+ Project)

As part of the SMART project activities, we invite all interested representatives of the business sector, academia, public institutions, as well as all other partner and non-partner associations, institutions or organizations, to participate in a professional training on smart specialization. The training will be held on May 22 at 13:25 at the premises of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka, within the DERHE project Info Day.

The goal of this training is to introduce participants to the concept of smart specialization, its strategic objectives, and its practical and broader application in the context of developing an innovative, advanced, and specialized economy in the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through this interactive session, participants will have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the principles of smart specialization, the strategy development process in the Republic of Srpska, and the identification of priority areas within the smart specialization framework. Moreover, participants will learn how smart specialization tools are applied in practice, using concrete examples from both the surrounding region and from the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The training is intended for all interested stakeholders, including representatives of the business, academic, and civil society communities, but it is also open to all other individuals from both partner and non-partner institutions involved in the project.

The training will be delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dragan Gligorić, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, and SMART Project Coordinator at the University.

Participation can be confirmed by phone at +387 51 493 123, no later than May 19, 2025.

The contact person at the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska is Gordana Višekruna.

Published 14.05.2025  at 17:46

Workshop Held: Smart Student Idea Competition – From Idea to Innovation

Dear colleagues,

On March 4, 2025, an informative workshop titled “Smart Student Idea Competition – from Idea to Innovation” was held at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka. The workshop was organized as part of the SMART project and aimed to provide students with detailed information about the SMART Student Idea Competition in an interactive manner. This international competition is designed for young students—future innovators and entrepreneurs.

During the workshop, students received key information about:

• The criteria and application process for participation in the competition;
• The categories in which students can develop their business ideas, including smart agriculture, smart tourism, ICT innovations, energy efficiency, and other sustainable initiatives;
• The competition phases, which include mentorship, business model development, pitching events, and the final conference;
• The opportunities this competition offers, such as professional support, networking with business sector representatives and potential investors, and awards for the most successful teams.

A special emphasis was placed on the practical experience that winning teams will gain through a three-day internship at SMART Innovation Centers at the University of Banja Luka and the University of East Sarajevo, as well as at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Srpska.

Through an interactive approach, students had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of all aspects of the application process and the presentation of their ideas.

Published 05.03.2025 at 11:29

Invitation to the Workshop “SMART Student Ideas Competition – From Idea to Innovation”

Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to attend the workshop for the SMART Student Ideas Competition, which will be held on Tuesday, March 4th at 10:00 AM in Hall 3. This competition offers young people with entrepreneurial inclinations the opportunity to develop and present their business ideas in the field of smart specialization.

The competition is part of the ERASMUS+ SMART project, which supports the development of innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, and sustainable business solutions in the countries of the Western Balkans. Through this competition, students will have the chance to work on innovative projects, gain practical experience, and connect with mentors and representatives of the business sector in the Western Balkans region.

At the workshop, you will learn:

• The basics of the smart specialization (S3) concept;
• How to apply and participate in the project;
• The key areas of the competition (smart specialization, smart and sustainable tourism, ICT innovations, environmental protection, and other sustainable initiatives);
• The benefits for participants, including mentorship, business model development, the opportunity to present ideas to a wider audience and all interested parties;
• The rewards and recognition for the best teams, including a paid three-day internship at SMART innovation centers and the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska, as well as participation in further competitions and conferences in Podgorica.

We invite all interested students to attend and take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about this program.

More information about the competition can be found on the link.

Published 03.03.2025 at 11:14

As part of the Erasmus+ SMART project, in which the Faculty of Economics at the University of Banja Luka participates in, the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska is organising a Student Idea Competition. This competition will provide students with the opportunity to develop innovative business projects and work on solving real-world challenges in the business environment. The competition is aimed at fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, promoting an innovation culture, and enhancing collaboration between universities and the business sector.

Students are encouraged to develop innovative business ideas in the following key areas/sectors of the SMART competition:

• Agriculture and food sector (application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in agriculture, digital platforms for food supply chains);
• Tourism sector (use of ICT in hotels, digitalization of cultural heritage, artificial intelligence in health tourism, etc.);
• IT sector (artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and more);
• 3D printing;
• Other creative, innovative, and sustainable initiatives.

Students from the University of Banja Luka can register and submit their projects via the online APPLICATION FORM, with the submission deadline set for March 14, 2025.

For more information, contact the representative at the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska — Gordana Višekruna (gordanas@komorars.ba).

Call for students

Published 17.02.2025 at 14:47

Conference of Science and Project Presentation – Smart Innovation Centers

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Economics, the SMART Innovation Center is organizing a "Conference of Science" and the presentation of the project "SMART Innovation Centers for the Development of Innovative and Entrepreneurial Thinking to Facilitate the Development of Sustainable Smart Solutions in the Western Balkans (SMART Innovation Centers) – ERASMUS+", along with the presentation of research relevant to Smart Specialization in the Republic of Srpska.

The event will be held in the ceremonial hall of the Faculty, located on the 4th floor, on February 7, 2025.

We invite all interested parties to participate in the presentations and discussions.

Published 04.02.2025 at 21:43

The study visit of students from the University of Montenegro to the SMART Innovation Center

The Miniplacement, held from 12 to 14 December, brought together students from the University of Montenegro, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, and the University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Economics for a three-day exchange focused on Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3). This initiative, hosted under the Erasmus+ SMART project, aimed to connect theoretical insights with practical applications, fostering long-term collaboration and regional innovation.

This miniplacement brought together students, faculty members and industry stakeholders to explore both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of the S3. Over the three days, participant engaged in lectures, discussions, field and conference visits aimed at bridging academic knowledge with real-world practices.

The opening day introduced participants to the theoretical aspects of the S3, with lectures provided by Prof. Dragan Gligoric, prof. Jadranka Petrović i prof. Goran Janjić who provided insights into the Republic of Srpska’s experience with the Smart Specialization Strategies along with the comparative analysis of S3 in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU.

On the second day, participants had the opportunity to visit the SMART Innovation Centre located in and managed by the Faculty of Economics. At the centre, presentations were held, and they focused on the ongoing S3 initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the role of students and other staff in supporting these efforts. Later during the same day, students visited the telecommunications and electrical energy based enterprise located in the Banja Luka region. During this visit, students had the opportunity to observe practical application of the S3 technologies in an industrial setting.

The final day of the program was dedicated to collaborative activities and key takeaways. Participants actively took part in the CAREER21 Vol. 3 students’ conference, organized by the Faculty of Economics’ Student Union. The conference hosted three accomplished professionals representing diverse sectors and perspectives, including both entrepreneurs and successful managers and CEOs. The day concluded with a reflection session, where participants discussed on their key takeaways and knowledge gained in during the Miniplacement.

Published 20.12.2024  at 10:06

The visit of students, members of the SMART Innovation Center, to the University of Korça

From December 9 to 11, 2024, members of the Erasmus+ SMART project student team visited Fan S. Noli University in Korca, Albania. The Miniplacement program brought together students from both universities with the aim of connecting theoretical insights of Smart Specialization Strategies (S3) with their practical applications, strengthening institutional cooperation, and promoting regional innovation.

On the first day, our students were welcomed by the Vice-Rector for Teaching, the Dean, and the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Economics, as well as fellow students. After the welcome session, students toured the University and Faculty of Economics facilities, including the library and SMART Innovation Center. This was followed by a lecture on digital marketing on the topic of branding strategies in the global digital market, after which a moderated session and discussion took place, focusing on the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in branding and creating brand strategies.

The second day was dedicated to various lectures and workshops on digital economy and ICT. During the lectures and workshops, students had the opportunity to gain practical knowledge about internet marketing platforms, develop initial entrepreneurial ideas, all within the environment of innovation centers and hubs in the city of Korca.

The final day was intended for networking, exchanging experiences, and discussions between students from both universities. In both formal and informal settings, students had the chance to share impressions and key takeaways gained during the previous two days of activities, as well as to discuss future cooperation and joint initiatives and projects.

In addition to the formal activities defined by the program, students had the opportunity to visit the cultural landmarks of Korca, including youth centers, museums, and theaters. These cultural activities further enriched the experience, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of Korca’s heritage and social life.

Published 17.12.2024  at 10:06