INTERA Technology Park, in collaboration with the University of Zenica, hosted a roundtable “Technology Transfer in the Materials Sector – Opportunities and Challenges for SMEs”. The event brought together representatives from 6 companies, 9 universities, the city administration, and INTERA TP, moderated by Dr. Nedeljko Milosavljević.
The roundtable addressed the growing innovation environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina and explored how research, technology, and innovation capacities—particularly in the field of materials—can be better utilized. Discussions highlighted key challenges, including limited mechanisms for academic staff to gain industry experience, insufficient cooperation between universities and businesses, and a lack of funding for innovation implementation.
Opportunities for collaboration identified during the event included mentoring, joint pilot projects, and workshops. A notable outcome was the initiation of a new recycling project uniting academia and industry. Participants emphasized the importance of assistance for gaining EU funding support, easier access to academic partners, and targeted training for both SMEs and researchers.
The event concluded with proposals to ensure the sustainability of this growing knowledge community, including creating formal structures, appointing contact persons, and organizing regular meetings to strengthen cooperation and long-term innovation capacity.
This roundtable is part of the “Knowhow Communities for Accelerating RTI Transfer in the Danube Region – RTIT>>” project, which fosters innovation in sustainable, bio-based, and advanced materials by connecting SMEs, research organisations, and stakeholders across the Danube region. Project is implemented witihn Danube Region Programme 2021-2027.
We invite all interested SMEs and innovators to apply via the public call: https://intera.ba/otvoreni-poziv-za-msp-ove-i-inovatore/