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Apr 27 2018 
Best climate-smart ideas awarded
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and UNDP organised the Fair of Climate-smart Ideas and awarded the best ideas submitted, as part of a joint project called Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge Project (CSUD).
Minister of Environmental Protection Goran Trivan and UNDP Serbian Deputy Resident Representative Steliana Nedera awarded the most innovative project ideas for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Also present was the Deputy Head of Mission of the Kingdom of Sweden’s Embassy in Serbia Joachim Waern and Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development Saša Lazović.
The search for sustainable solutions for climate-friendly communities received a tremendous response across Serbia. 111 applications were received, with the most significant number of proposed ideas submitted by individuals (43), civil society organisations (20), local self-government units (16), scientific and research institutions (14), business associations (12) and public utility companies (6). The 25 most innovative ideas and teams have been selected to receive financial and professional support, and nine more will be able to use the support of the “Climate Incubator”. In the Climate Incubator project teams will have mentor support and assistance in finding sources of co-financing, promotion and linking with other climate innovators.
“The response received, and the quality of the ideas once again proved that Serbia is a country of smart and creative people and that it is possible, with the right incentive, to change Serbia for better in the field of environmental protection”, said Minister Goran Trivan. “Serbia is committed to achieving global goals for mitigating the consequences and adapting to climate change, reaching modern standards and strategic European goals,” he stressed.
“One of the main criteria in evaluating the ideas received was that the innovation is in line with the needs of the local community in which it is implemented. At the same time it needs to offer an opportunity to engage and involve women, youth and marginalized social groups,” said the UNDP Serbia Deputy Resident Representative Steliana Nedera adding “UNDP remains a reliable partner to the Government of the Republic of Serbia in fulfilling the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the achievement of the global goals of sustainable development, including those related to the fight against climate change”.
Innovative technical solutions and business models will find their application in 16 municipalities and cities, Belgrade, Stara Pazova, Inđija, Pećinci, Ruma, Pančevo, Kikinda, Rumenka, Smederevo, Šabac, Veternik, Kraljevo, Kruševac, Vrnjačka Banja, Niša, Čačak, but also throughout Serbia because of the excellent potential for furthering comprehensive application in the field of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, waste management, transport improvement, agriculture, forestry.
“Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge” is a five-year project aimed at supporting, through a partnership between the public, private and civil sectors, the development of projects aimed at reducing GHG emissions and ensuring that local communities in Serbia are more resilient to climate change. The Ministry of Environmental Protection implements the project with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the financial support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project partners are the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden, the Government of Switzerland, Innovation Fund and the Standing Conference of Cities and Municipalities.
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The Innovation Fund announced a public call for proposals for technological innovations
The Innovation Fund announced a public call for proposals for technological innovations under the Mini Grants and the Matching Grants Program. The invitation to submit applications for innovative projects is open from April 2nd to June 1st 2018, until 3 pm. For the duration of the public call, in April and May, the Fund will organize workshops and presentations of these two programs in municipalities and cities throughout Serbia.
The purpose of these programs is to provide direct financial assistance to enterprises which operate in Serbia for up to three years, for research and development of innovative services, processes and products with market potential, in the amount of up to EUR 80,000 under Mini Grants Program and up to EUR 300,000 under Matching Grants Program. These programs aim at developing innovative technologies, products and services with market application and great potential for commercialization.
The total budget allocated for these two programs in 2018 is RSD 400 million. Тhese programs are financed from the budget of the Republic of Serbia through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development under the “Serbia Competitiveness and Jobs Project”, based on a loan agreement with the World Bank.
Interested companies can find all information about the programs, application procedure and conditions on the Innovation Fund’s web site http://www.inovacionifond.rs/. Applications are submitted electronically via the Innovation Fund’s online portal http://www.inovacionifond.rs/prijava/.
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Paid work practice in Europe, professional development and the ability to create change
Climate-KIC, the organization that carries key activities of the European Union in the field of environmental protection and climate change and the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia invite aspiring pioneers and potential hosting organizations to apply to professional mobility programme Pioneers into Practice. The application deadline is 15th of April 2018.
Climate-KIC’s Pioneer is looking for people from a variety of climate change backgrounds, fields of expertise and levels of experience to develop their skills and position themselves for the next big step in their careers. The programme adopts a ‘learning by doing’ approach through a combination of e-learning, workshops, a remote group working and 4 to 6 weeks paid placement – home or abroad – with host company or organization active in tackling climate change.
The programme also offers interactive workshops, online training & coaching, individual and group project assignments focusing on real-world challenges, access to online e-learning on System Innovation which has been drawn from best practice across Europe, mentoring and coaching to improve innovation skills, and financial support available towards travel & accommodation.
More information about the program and application details at the website: https://pioneers.climate-kic.org
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Develop new products with the help of green innovation vouchers!
Representatives of the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP), who are implementing the project “Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge” together with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the support of the Global Environment Facility, have attended the March 13th Award Ceremony where EBRD’s (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) green innovation vouchers were awarded. Over 70 companies submitted their applications during the first call while the second call will be open to companies from March 13 to April 30 this year.
Green innovation vouchers, aimed toward the development of “green technologies” and strengthening the partnership between science and industry, were granted to ten Serbian companies from various fields of industry. The total value of the green vouchers is EUR 150,000.00 and their purpose is to cover 90 % of the companies’ costs incurred during the research and development of new products. With the help of the green innovation vouchers, small and medium-sized enterprises are given the opportunity to hire scientists from different faculties and institutes who will assist in the development of new products.
The Minister of Environmental Protection Goran Trivan, the Minister of Innovations and Technological Development Nenad Popović, the Director of EBRD in Serbia Daniel Berg and the Director of the EBRD’s Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Team Terry McCallion all addressed the attendants of the Green Innovation Vouchers’ Award Ceremony.
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The Generator Fluo Contest for the best student innovation – win a trip to Paris
Societe Generale Bank has organized a contest called Generator Fluo which is open to students of all faculties in Serbia who wish to submit their business ideas. The main prize is a 7-day trip to the Technology Hub of Societe Generale Group in Paris, the final deadline for applying to the contest is April 09.
The Generator Fluo Contest is open to all students, whether as individuals or as teams of up to three, who are studying in Serbia and are between 18 and 27 years old, with a desire to start a new or improve an existing business idea, regardless of the business activity. An expert jury will assess the innovativeness and the feasibility of the students’ projects and choose the best 40 who will develop a business plan with the help of an advisor. Ten finalists will advance to the last round of the contest and their projects will be featured on the website generator.rs. The winner will be announced before the jury, media, businesspersons and investors on May 31.
Societe Generale Bank was the last year’s organizer of the contest Generator which awarded a million dinars to the best business innovation. This year’s contest Generator Fluo is endorsed by the Digital Serbia Initiative and the French Institute in Serbia, the European Youth Center and almost 70 faculties, universities and student organizations.
