USEIPM project
Stranica projekta nalazi se na sljedećem linku.
Opis prvog posjeta MIP-u:
From May 18 to 31, 2025, 23 researchers from four widening countries, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina and North Macedonia, participated in the first part of the last secondment within the USE IPM project. The partner from Croatia was the International Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) in Samobor, and the host was led by Professor Marko Kolaković. Activities were implemented in Samobor and Zagreb, During the week, the researchers: Participated in discussion on strategic entrepreneurship and a tour of Samobor when they had chance to meet local entrepreneurs, mostly engaged in craft entrepreneurship, Held a meetings and fruitful discussion with the entrepreneurs, including: Mirnovec Pyrotechnics (https://www.mirnovec.hr/en) / Ethno Village Mirnovec (https://www.etnofarma.hr/) – a leading pyrotechnics company in the Western Balkans, which has also developed a family-friendly tourist complex for events; Filipec Cellar (https://lnkd.in/dgeQiGzY) – a family business renowned for its traditional production of the aromatic Samobor wine Bermet and mustard, a specific type of mustard; Visited student entrepreneurial incubators at the Faculty of Economics, University of Zagreb, and Libertas University and developed their own ideas on modus operandi of the centres for entrepreneurship and innovation, Visited ZICER – Zagreb Innovation Centre (https://www.zicer.hr/) at the Zagreb Fairgrounds and exchanged their insights with entrepreneurs and start-ups as ZICER tenants, but also learned about benefits and challenges of doing business at the EU market, Participated in a workshop on the essential steps for launching and managing student business incubators at higher education institutions, led by Professor Marko Kolaković, Visited Craft fair in Samobor (https://www.samobor.hr/visit/samobor-craft-festival-c64) and discussed with local craft entrepreneurs, their motivation and challenges, Held Expert panel and meeting with local entrepreneurs, including a visit to the company Blachere Illumination – Gospodarisvjetla d.o.o. (https://gospodarisvjetla.hr/), Visited the student business incubator at the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Zagreb (https://www.sumfak.unizg.hr/) and discussed with the colleagues from this Faculty on different aspects of sustainability and new project opportunities. As part of the secondment, participants attended the 10th Business & Entrepreneurial Economics (BEE) Conference in Dubrovnik (28–31 May 2025), organised by IIE Samobor and hosted by the University of Zagreb incubator. The conference program, held in a hybrid format, emphasised sustainable development and industry–research collaboration. Crucially, the event included a project forum on EU funding, where representatives from Croatian EU Funds authorities and project partners presented new initiatives (e.g., a “Youth Education Program” for EU-funded project development) and offered guidance on applying for EU grants. This complemented the conference’s academic focus by highlighting practical EU resources. The results of the USE IPM project were disseminated through eight conference papers, jointly authored by 26 researchers from partner universities and research institutions in Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The contributing authors from widening beneficiaries include Hafsa Laçi, Kozeta Sevrani, Arjan Tushaj, Brikena Leka, Eda Spahiu, Kristi Dashi, Aleksandar Naumoski, Vesna Bucevska, Todor Tocev, Jasna Tonovska, Aleksandra Janeska Iliev, Saša Petković, Jadranka Petrović, Marija Radosavljević, Elona Pojani, Milica Marić, Ljubiša Mićić, Mirjana Milijević, Milica Bogdanović, Jelena Stanković, Sandra Milanović Zbiljić, Danijela Stošić Panić, Jovana Milenović, Maja Ivanović-Đukić, Milica Ristić Cakić, and Ružica Petrović. Across the eight papers, the authors presented empirical findings, comparative analyses, and conceptual frameworks addressing innovation process management, technology transfer, SME development and transformation, digital and green innovation, and skills development. Taken together, these contributions translate the project’s core outcomes into academically structured works that reflect its interdisciplinary scope, multi-country empirical base, and strong policy- and practice-oriented focus.
Opis drugog posjeta MIP-u:
Between August 15 and September 4, 2025, a group of 18 researchers from four widening countries – Serbia, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and North Macedonia – took part in the second phase of the final secondment under the USE IPM project. The partner institution in Croatia was the International Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) in Samobor, with activities coordinated by full professor Marko Kolaković, PhD. The program took place in both Samobor and Zagreb. During the secondment, the Mayor of Samobor, Petra Škrobot, welcomed the group and spoke about the city’s efforts to foster and support entrepreneurship in Samobor. Engaged in discussions on women entrepreneurship and joined a guided tour of Samobor, where they met local craft-based female entrepreneurs such as bakery Nikl established in 1987, crafted accessories for baby Fairytulle, Biljna drogerija that produces natural cosmetics products, Hamari Unique concept store and many more. Attended meetings and held productive exchanges with the entrepreneur and owner of Metal forming Co d.o.o. he group attended lectures at Mali Tehnopolis Samobor, visited ConnektWorld as one of its innovative resident companies, and explored how the technopolis actively supports entrepreneurship, creativity, and the growth of new business ideas. Visited Libertas University and developed their own ideas on modus operandi of the centres for entrepreneurship and innovation. Engaged in a workshop facilitated by Professor Marko Kolaković, PhD, focusing on critical processes for creating and managing student business incubators in higher education institutions.
Opis trećeg posjeta MIP-u:
The research team of the Center for Project Management and Entrepreneurship (CPME) at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka – Asst. Prof. Ljubiša Mićić, Dr Milica Bogdanović, and TA Milica Marić, MA – completed the third part of their study visit to Samobor and Zagreb, held from 17 to 31 October 2025. The host institution was the International Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) in Samobor (https://entrepreneurship-institute.eu), and the program was coordinated by Prof. Marko Kolaković, PhD, together with his associates. During the two-week visit, the researchers: attended lectures by Prof. Kolaković, Dr Ivan Turčić, and Dr Mihaela Mikić at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Economics and Business on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystem development; visited the Nikola Tesla Innovation Centre and Nucleus – Deep-Tech Venture Builder at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, learning about cutting-edge technologies supporting high-tech startups; toured ZICER – Zagreb Innovation Centre, engaging with management representatives about startup support schemes and university–city collaboration; visited the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts, where hosts presented national policies and initiatives for small businesses and crafts; visited the National and University Library in Zagreb, exploring its digital resources and databases for researchers; attended presentations at the Laboratory for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Forestry (Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology), focusing on sustainable resource management and entrepreneurship in the green sector. In addition, participants took part in Samobor City Day celebrations, attended the local crafts fair, and networked with local entrepreneurs and SMEs. The study visit strengthened cooperation between academia, institutions, and industry, contributing to the exchange of knowledge and best practices in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Opis predstavljanja projekta na CEE Forumu:
The International Institute of Entrepreneurship (MIP) from Samobor, Croatia (https://entrepreneurship-institute.eu/), and the Association of Economists of Republika Srpska, SWOT, from Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina (https://swot.ba/), organised the 9th Central European Entrepreneurial Forum – CEEF 2024 in Banja Luka at Hotel Bosna, in the National Restaurant Hall, on Friday, September 20, 2024. The forum was attended by 20 representatives from Banja Luka’s entrepreneurial infrastructure institutions, the HKD Napredak, Banja Luka, international and local NGOs supporting entrepreneurship development, representatives of the academic community, the private sector, and the Consulate of the Republic of Croatia in Banja Luka. During the forum, a new project titled “Youth Education Program for the Preparation and Implementation of Projects from EU Funds” was presented, under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds of the Republic of Croatia, and implemented by MIP and SWOT. During the Forum, Prof. Dr. Saša Petković, project coordinator of the CPME – Center for Project Management and Entrepreneurship at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, presented the USE IPM project, its goals, expected outcomes, possibilities for cross-border cooperation, EU funding opportunities, the activities carried out over the past year, and plans for collaboration between the academic community, the private sector, and entrepreneurial infrastructure institutions over the next three-year period. The Forum participants welcomed these initiatives.
Opis okruglog stola:
On 5 December 2025, the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, hosted the regional round table within the USE IPM – Up-skilling Researchers for Sustainable Entrepreneurship based on Innovation Process Management project. The meeting focused on presenting, comparing, and harmonizing national Research and Innovation (R&I) Strategies and Action Plans aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the widening countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia. The event was organized by the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, and gathered research team members and experts from all partner institutions. Opening remarks were delivered by: Prof. Marija Radosavljević, PhD, USE IPM Project Coordinator, Prof. Saša Petković, PhD, Operational Manager of CPME – Center for Project Management and Entrepreneurship.
Throughout the sessions, partners presented their national R&I strategies and action plans, highlighting priority areas for strengthening innovation capacity, supporting start-ups and entrepreneurial initiatives, improving university–industry–government collaboration, and fostering digital and green transformation. Participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia shared their conclusions and recommendations, which served as the basis for drafting a joint regional approach—a key objective of WP5 within the USE IPM project. The final discussion, led by Prof. Marija Radosavljević and Prof. Saša Petković, resulted in agreed harmonized conclusions that will guide future project activities. The round table reaffirmed the importance of coordinated regional cooperation in innovation development and contributed to shaping consistent, evidence-based recommendations for improving the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Western Balkans.