Sarajevo, September 30, 2025 – The third Forum of Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH Forum 2025), supported through the Private Sector Development Initiative, financed by the European Union and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, was held at the ASA Institute in Sarajevo.

Dedicated to the digital and green transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Forum showcased a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening competitiveness and sustainable growth in the SME sector. Among the highlighted support mechanisms were the BOOST 2.0 voucher scheme, EBRD credit lines, vouchers for the protection of intellectual property, and innovative digital and green platforms.

Organized by FabLab Sarajevo and the Digital Innovation Hub “Digital Storm”, the Forum gathered key representatives from industry, academia, the public sector, and international organizations to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and present concrete support instruments for SMEs in BiH.

A special contribution came from the network of four digital innovation hubs (DIHs) established through the previous project co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Germany – Digital Storm and Its4Health (Sarajevo), IDEMO (Banja Luka), and Industrial HUB (Tuzla). These hubs continue their collaboration under the Private Sector Development Initiative to support digital and green transformation across the country.

This nationwide DIH network played a key role at the Forum. Through panel discussions, participants had the opportunity to hear real-world experiences and establish new connections with partners from industry, academia, and the public sector.

Drago Gverić, Director of ICBL and representative of the IDEMO DIH, who has long been involved in developing BiH’s innovation ecosystem, emphasized:

“Digital innovation hubs are bridges between science, technology, and the market. Through joint initiatives, we create conditions for the long-term development of domestic innovations. At the Forum, we discuss supporting entrepreneurs through digitalization and technological advancement of their businesses. We also highlight the topic of intellectual property, which is essential but still insufficiently recognized in BiH.”

Experience confirms that such programs have a direct impact on business performance. During the previous edition, over 20 SMEs received non-refundable grants of €5,000 each to improve their operations through digital solutions, achieving measurable improvements in efficiency and competitiveness.

Jens Elsner, Head of the Sustainable Economic Development and Employment Promotion (SEDEP) Program in BiH at GIZ, underlined the Forum’s strategic importance in the context of European integration and strengthening the domestic economy:

“Through joint efforts, Germany and the European Union continue to support micro, small, and medium enterprises via various programs implemented by GIZ within the broader framework of sustainable economic development. By investing in digital and green technologies and strengthening the innovation ecosystem, we not only improve business competitiveness but also lay the foundations for long-term and inclusive growth. It is precisely through such partnerships—between the public and private sectors, civil society, and international actors—that we can build a more connected, competitive, and prepared economy for the European market.”

As an additional focus this year, the Forum emphasized intellectual property protection. SMEs had the opportunity to learn about new forms of support, including IP protection vouchers, guidelines for alignment with European legislation, and the use of AI tools for managing intellectual property rights.

The Forum also offered direct B2B meetings with consultants from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), who presented the SME Go Green and Go Digital in the Western Balkans programs. These programs provide advisory and financial support to companies seeking to implement sustainable and digital practices in their operations.

Edin Škaljić, Director of FabLab Sarajevo and representative of the Digital Storm DIH, highlighted the strategic relevance of this event:

“For the third year in a row, DIH Forum brings together key actors of the innovation ecosystem in BiH and shows that micro, small, and medium enterprises are ready and able to innovate when given concrete and systemic support. This year, we presented two new EBRD programs, along with instruments from the German Government and the EU Delegation, including more than a hundred vouchers in the form of grants for local companies.

A special focus was placed on amendments to intellectual property legislation, which will significantly improve the business environment. In parallel, we introduced a set of advanced tools for IP protection, including educational resources and innovative AI LLM platforms trained in the local language and aligned with domestic legislation—an unprecedented step in the region.

The most important outcome of the Forum was the launch of an initiative to establish a national DIH platform, which will unite all digital innovation hubs in Bosnia and Herzegovina into a single support system for SMEs—building a foundation for faster digital and green transformation of our economy.”

The practical segment of the Forum included demonstrations of modern solutions in the fields of Internet of Things (IoT), digital construction sites, and green technologies. These sessions allowed participants to directly experience how innovations are applied in daily business operations and the benefits they bring.

DIH Forum 2025 provides small and medium-sized enterprises with a rare opportunity to gain knowledge, build new connections, and find concrete tools to enhance their business. Through the support of European partners and the engagement of domestic actors, Bosnia and Herzegovina is moving step by step toward a sustainable, innovation-driven future.