NEWS: 7th Project Meeting & Learning Exchange Visits organized by CIDEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina

On 30 June and 1 July 2026, GREENSMES project partners gathered in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, for the 7th Project Meeting and Learning & Exchange Visit, hosted by CIDEA – City Development Agency Banja Luka. The two-day event combined project management discussions with visits to inspiring examples of green innovation and business support initiatives.

The first day focused on the Steering Committee meeting, where partners reviewed project progress and agreed on the next steps for implementing activities aimed at strengthening green competitiveness across the ADRION region.

In the afternoon, participants visited Telemax LLC, a family-owned company recognised for its innovative solutions in smart infrastructure, renewable energy and engineering. The visit provided valuable insights into how SMEs can successfully implement green and digital innovations with the support of business support organisations.

The Learning & Exchange Visit continued on the second day at the University of Banja Luka, where partners learned about the University’s role in supporting research, innovation and knowledge transfer, as well as the Horizon Europe BEAMING project promoting green bioeconomy. Participants were introduced to the Smart Village Knežica initiative, learning how it promotes sustainable agriculture, agri-tech innovation and smart rural development, before visiting the University’s Botanical Garden and Institute of Genetic Resources.

The programme concluded at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Srpska, where participants exchanged experiences on supporting SMEs through digitalisation and green transition programmes. The final presentation by Starter / Virtuo d.o.o. highlighted the Mtel Playground innovation ecosystem as a successful example of collaboration between large companies, startups, SMEs and business support organisations.

The meeting in Banja Luka once again demonstrated the value of transnational cooperation and knowledge exchange in strengthening innovation capacities and supporting the green transition of SMEs across the Adriatic-Ionian region.

The GREENSMES project partners would like to sincerely thank CIDEA for the excellent organisation, as well as for their warm hospitality and valuable support throughout the event!