UNDP supports the building of the ecosystem of digital innovation and entrepreneurship in the country

21.02.2024.

The preliminary feasibility study for the Sarajevo Innovation-Technology Park was presented at the premises of GREENPARK SPACE on Trebević, bringing together key stakeholders, including representatives of ministries, the public sector, the academic community, industry, international financial institutions and organizations. The Canton of Sarajevo and the Municipality of Centar launched an initiative to establish an Innovation-Technology Park in the Šip business zone.

UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina launched a preliminary feasibility study that focuses on assessing the feasibility and economic profitability of establishing a park through the improvement of the existing innovation ecosystem through stronger cooperation between the academic community, private and public sectors.

"At UNDP, we approach the entire society, including various actors from the public, private sector and civil society, in order to support the design and development of digital ecosystems that are inclusive, transparent and secure. We hope that the future Innovation and Technology Park in Sarajevo will be more than a physical place, but a catalyst for cooperation in order to create new opportunities, jobs and solutions for current challenges," said Narine Sahakyan, UNDP's temporary representative in BiH.

The study proposed three different models of park development. During the presentation, all three were considered, and examples of good practice from Berlin, Dublin, Helsinki, Osijek, Rijeka and Turin were presented. Depending on the chosen model, the construction of the park would take between three and five years at a cost ranging between 26 and 136 million convertible marks. This gathering represents a significant step towards encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship not only in Sarajevo, but also beyond its borders.

UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina has several key initiatives aimed at promoting digital innovation and entrepreneurship, including support for the science and technology park in Banja Luka and projects such as the project "Better governance for faster economic growth" (EGG) funded by the Kingdom of Norway and implemented by UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EGG project has an integrated approach to improving economic management and market-oriented skills for a knowledge-based economy.

The event also served as a platform for exchanging experiences from neighboring countries.Velibor Bošković, director of the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, shared his experiences of the development path of this science and technology park.

UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to support the establishment of an inclusive innovation ecosystem that supports startups, small and medium-sized enterprises in various sectors, and bridges the gap between research and the market, enabling talented innovators and entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into reality.

Taken from UNDP BiH.