Preparation of the Smart Specialization Strategy Action Plan 2026–2027 Begins
Tax incentives for startups, stronger collaboration between science and business, improvement of the framework for conducting clinical studies, and transformation of educational programs in agriculture to attract new generations are among the measures proposed by participants at the workshop marking the start of the development of the Smart Specialization Strategy Action Plan 2026–2027.
The workshop, organized by NALED and the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, in cooperation with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), was held at the Science and Technology Park Belgrade. It brought together key stakeholders from priority areas – including representatives from the business sector, academia, and the public sector – to ensure that the defined priorities reflect real challenges.
- Back in 2017, Serbia became the first non-EU country to recognize the importance of establishing a Smart Specialization Strategy, which was adopted in 2022, with the obligation to develop action plans every two years, as we are doing today. The key areas we have identified are food for the future, information and communication technologies, creative industries, machinery, and manufacturing processes. These are precisely the segments we are focusing our investments on, with the aim of further strengthening Serbia’s innovation ecosystem - said Aleksandar Jović, Advisor at the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, at the opening of the workshop.
The previous Action Plan 2023–2025 is now in its third year of implementation and contains 46 measures, of which 16 fall under the competence of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation.
- The strategy itself is a concept developed within the EU. Although it was originally intended for member states, it is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for accessing various funds of great importance to Serbia. Among the key results achieved in the previous period are the construction of the BIO4 Campus, the launch of support programs by the Science Fund for excellent ideas and by the Innovation Fund, as well as the opening of Ložionica, the first creative industries center - said Prof. Dr. Viktor Nedović, 4S Process Coordinator and Director of the SAIGE Project.
The importance of the Smart Specialization Strategy for Serbia lies, among other things, in its role in establishing a stronger connection between research and innovation activities on one hand, and the business and industrial structure on the other. This enables better coordination between science, research, and industrial policies. With this same goal, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology opened its first Hub in Serbia in June.
- Since June, NALED has been the EIT Contact Point in Serbia, and through this framework, we have supported the development and implementation of the Action Plan. We are aligned with European policies and the sustainability agenda — green transition, digitalization, and all requirements placed on our economy to ensure competitiveness, access to funds, financing, and public procurement opportunities. To achieve this, the economy must turn toward clean technologies, decarbonization, and innovation. This benefits society as a whole, and we see EIT programs and resources as crucial support in this process - said Ana Ilić, NALED Director for Good Governance and Projects and EIT Community Officer.
The workshop was also an opportunity to present the EIT support programs in more detail, as they are designed for everyone — from individuals such as students, entrepreneurs, and researchers to larger groups of startups, companies, and enterprises.
- This support covers the entire innovation cycle — from idea development and concept creation to market launch and connecting businesses with startups. Applicants from Southeastern Europe can benefit from programs such as EIT Jumpstarter, Test Farms, Sales Booster, and Challenge Labs. Our recommendation is to regularly follow the EIT website to stay up to date with open calls, webinars, info days, and other events organized by EIT Food and other EIT communities - emphasized Pavel Haricki, EIT Food Ecosystem Manager.
