EIT Community Hub in Serbia
Bringing Innovation Together in Serbia
For sustainable development, high-quality employment, and long-term growth, Serbia’s innovation ecosystem is continuously strengthened. New technologies, goods, and services are developed more quickly in a dynamic innovation environment, which helps Serbian businesses compete internationally and draw in foreign investment and alliances.
Serbia can create a workforce prepared for the future and solidify its position as a regional centre for technology and science by supporting startups and scaleups, developing talent, and bringing local actors into contact with European value chains.
About the EIT Community Hub
Uniting key innovation actors – entrepreneurs, researchers, corporations, investors, and public institutions – the EIT Community Hub in Serbia drives collaboration and growth. The Hub provides access to programs, funding opportunities, and pan-European networks, acting as a one-stop shop to EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).
By fostering cross-sector collaboration, it speeds up the validation and scaling of solutions by local innovators and creates connections between new ideas and established businesses. Through these efforts, the Hub supports Serbia’s socio-economic growth and strengthens its integration into the wider European innovation scene. In the field of agri-food sector, the EIT Food Hub was established in Serbia 2024. The Hub connects key stakeholders, fosters collaboration between science and industry, supports startups, and promotes female entrepreneurship in agriculture. Its activities align with EIT Food missions, including Net Zero Food System, Healthier Lives Through Food, and building a fair, resilient food system.
The EIT Community Hub in Serbia serves to strengthen and expand national innovation ecosystem by actively engaging with entrepreneurs, researchers, companies, investors, and public institutions, and by serving as a bridge to the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). Serbia is a vibrant and promising place for innovation across all domains – from deep tech, life sciences, and AI to creative industries and sustainable solutions.
“I will focus on fostering cross-sector collaboration, breaking down barriers, and connecting our local talent with Europe’s most dynamic innovation networks. By working closely with government bodies and industry leaders, I aim to create an environment where ideas are rapidly validated, scaled, and brought to global markets. My goal is further support development of Serbia’s full potential, positioning our innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers at the forefront of Europe’s innovation map, and showcasing Serbian ingenuity as a driver of growth, resilience, and competitiveness in the region and beyond. I welcome opportunities to collaborate with all stakeholders who share the vision of making Serbia a leading regional hub where bold ideas are nurtured and world-class innovations are born.”
ANA ILIĆ, EIT COMMUNITY OFFICER SERBIA
EIT Funding & Impact
EIT Community Hubs serve as entry points to EIT programs and KICs at the national level. Leading research institutes have benefited from EIT opportunities that have been accessed by organisations in Serbia across various communities (e.g., EIT Food, EIT RawMaterials, EIT Health, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Digital, and EIT Manufacturing). The Hub makes it easier to take advantage of these opportunities and assists in coordinating regional requirements with European tools.
About the EIT Community Officer
Ana Ilić
EIT Community Officer Serbia, Good Governance and Projects Department Director at NALED
Ana Ilić has been engaged on management and coordination of EU and other international assistance since 2001, first as a consultant in the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and later in managing positions within the Ministry of Finance and the Serbian European Integrations Office (SEIO). As an expert in planning, programming and evaluation of EU and other international assistance, from 2014 to 2017 she served as Deputy Director – EU Funds Coordinator in the SEIO.
She was engaged as the Head of Operative Structure for managing cross-border cooperation programs with BiH and Montenegro, chaired the working group on EU accession regarding Chapter 22 – Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments, served as a member of Negotiation team for Chapter 22, the national coordinator for the Danube region and co-national coordinator for EU strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian region, a member of program boards of the Regional School of Public Administration and Regional Cooperation Council etc.
Ana worked on the development of strategic, planning and program documents regarding the use of EU and international assistance, including the instrument of pre-accession assistance – IPA, she was a member of steering committees and responsible for the implementation of more than 10 projects, took part in establishing the system of decentralized/indirect management of EU funds, coordinated Serbia’s engagement in regional, cross-border and transnational EU programs, coordinated bilateral and multilateral assistance provided by more than 20 development partners.
Ana Ilić has been engaged in NALED since September 2017 as a consultant for project preparation and cooperation with the EU and bilateral donors, from April 2018, she has been appointed as the Director of Good Governance department in NALED, in charge of local economic development and capacity building programs.
Contact Details
- Email: serbia@eitcommunity.eu
- LinkedIn: EIT Community Hub Serbia
- Phone: +381113373063
- Address: Makedonska St. 30/VII, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
Upcoming Opportunities
Stay updated with the latest opportunities related to Serbia's innovation ecosystem and the activities of the EIT Community Hub.
