On 18 June 2026, the conference “EIT and Industry in Horizon Europe” took place at the National and University Library in Zagreb. The event was organised by the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes (AMPEU), the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, and the EIT Community Hub Croatia, with the support of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
What Opportunities Did Horizon Europe Offer Croatian Organisations?
Participants explored the opportunities that Horizon Europe and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) offer to Croatian organisations, ranging from project funding and international collaboration to partnerships with industry and research organisations. Special attention was given to Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space, as well as opportunities to engage with the activities of the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). Croatian organisations continued to demonstrate strong performance in European programmes: by the end of 2025, they had participated in 434 Horizon Europe projects, accounting for 677 participations and securing more than €167 million in EU funding (source: Successful participation of Croatian organisations in Horizon Europe).
Success Stories from EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities
The conference featured representatives of EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities and Croatian organisations with first-hand experience in European projects. Ivana Čuljak, MBA (EIT Urban Mobility), Katica Križanović, Specialist in Economics (Faculty of Economics, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek), Associate Professor Danijela Marović DMD, PhD (School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb), and Mateo Ivanac, PhD (EIT Water) shared practical examples from the fields of mobility, education, healthcare and blue technologies. Among the examples presented, the EIT Food InfraBooster programme enabled the School of Dental Medicine to identify the commercial potential of its research infrastructure, resulting in €350,000 in revenue from industrial services within less than a year. Participants also learned how DIH Innovamare positioned Croatia as the regional hub for the new EIT Water community, creating new opportunities for innovation in marine and blue technologies. In addition, speakers highlighted how long-term engagement in European projects and strategic networking helped Croatian organisations build international partnerships, develop new projects and strengthen collaboration with industry.
Panel Discussion on Industry Opportunities
The second part of the programme featured a panel discussion on opportunities for industry within Horizon Europe, bringing together Professor Nina Štirmer (Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb), Ivona Miketa (BIO-MI Ltd.) and Associate Professor Ivana Vinković Vrček, PhD (Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health). Drawing on their own experience, the panellists highlighted how participation in European programmes had provided access to international consortia, additional funding opportunities, and new business and research collaborations, ultimately leading to the development of new projects and innovative solutions.
Networking and Next Steps
Networking was another key element of the event, bringing together participants from industry, research organisations, startups, higher education institutions and the public sector. The conference created opportunities to exchange knowledge, establish new contacts and explore future collaborations. Building stronger links between these sectors remains essential for increasing Croatian organisations’ participation in European projects and strengthening their international competitiveness.
The conference once again confirmed the strong interest of Croatian organisations in European programmes and highlighted the importance of creating spaces where knowledge, experience and partnerships can develop into future research and innovation projects. Organisations interested in getting involved can explore current EIT opportunities through EIT Community Hub Croatia.
