EIT Community Hub in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Accelerating Innovation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is entering a new phase of innovation development, with growing momentum across entrepreneurship, research, technology transfer, digital transformation and green transition. The country has a strong base of talented individuals, universities, researchers, startups, companies and public institutions that are increasingly looking towards European networks, funding instruments and international partnerships as pathways for growth.
Since February 2026, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been part of the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme, creating new opportunities for local innovators to connect with Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem. Through EIT RIS, local stakeholders gain access to programmes, knowledge, mentoring, training and partnerships designed to strengthen innovation capacity and support the development of market oriented solutions.
Strengthening the local innovation ecosystem is essential for increasing competitiveness, creating new jobs, supporting entrepreneurial talent and addressing key national and regional challenges. By connecting academia, business, research, public institutions and civil society, Bosnia and Herzegovina can accelerate the development of new products, services and technologies with relevance for both the local and European markets.
The EIT Community Hub in Bosnia and Herzegovina will support this process by creating a stronger bridge between local innovators and the wider EIT Community. Its role is to increase access to EIT opportunities, foster collaboration and help position Bosnia and Herzegovina as an active contributor to Europe’s innovation landscape.
About the EIT Community Hub
The EIT Community Hub Bosnia and Herzegovina, based at Association Digital Fabrication Laboratory, serves as the national gateway to the EIT Community. The Hub connects innovators, researchers, universities, startups, companies, public institutions and ecosystem organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina with EIT programmes, networks, training opportunities, mentoring support and international partnerships. The Hub was officially launched in Sarajevo 11 June 2026, at an event organised by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and Association Digital Fabrication Laboratory.
The Hub acts as a local access point for the EIT Community, helping stakeholders identify relevant opportunities across the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities. Its activities focus on raising awareness of EIT programmes, supporting skills development, encouraging knowledge and technology transfer, strengthening the startup ecosystem and promoting closer collaboration between academia and industry.
By providing structured access to European innovation networks, the EIT Community Hub Bosnia and Herzegovina will help local entrepreneurs, students, researchers and organisations develop ideas, scale solutions and participate more actively in European innovation initiatives. The Hub will also contribute to the development of a more connected, competitive and resilient innovation ecosystem in the country.
Through its work, the Hub aims to bring EIT opportunities closer to people and organisations across Bosnia and Herzegovina, enabling them to transform talent, research and entrepreneurial ambition into innovations with market and societal impact.
“The EIT Community Hub Bosnia and Herzegovina represents an important gateway connecting local talent, innovators and entrepreneurs with Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem. My mission as the EIT Community Officer for Bosnia and Herzegovina is to build bridges between local talent and European innovation networks, enabling ideas to grow into sustainable impact for society”.
DR. DARIA LER, EIT COMMUNITY OFFICER BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
EIT Funding & Impact
For the 2023 to 2025 period, a total of EUR 630 thousand has been committed in EIT grants to entities from Bosnia and Herzegovina through five EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, with EIT Manufacturing identified as the largest contributor. This funding includes EUR 24 thousand to support SMEs from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Under Horizon Europe reporting for 2021 to 2024, 16 startups from Bosnia and Herzegovina were supported or created by the EIT Community, one EIT supported innovation was launched on the market, and 3,866 participants took part in EIT education programmes. Overall, eight organisations from Bosnia and Herzegovina are participating in activities of the 2023 to 2025 EIT KIC Business Plans.
These figures show both the existing engagement of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the EIT Community and the significant potential for further growth. With the establishment of the EIT Community Hub, local stakeholders will have a more visible and accessible entry point to EIT opportunities, helping increase participation, strengthen partnerships and unlock new pathways for innovation led development.
About the EIT Community Officer
Dr. Daria Ler
EIT Community Officer for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Dr. Daria Ler is a recognized forward-thinking leader and an expert with more than 15 years of experience at the intersection of research, healthcare, innovation ecosystem development, and international cooperation and EU programmes, currently serving as Director of the ASA Institute for Research, Development and Innovation and as the EIT Community Officer for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Throughout her career, Dr. Daria Ler has successfully led biomedical research, innovation and capacity-building initiatives, established new research and innovation structures, and coordinated complex multi-stakeholder collaborations involving universities, healthcare providers, startups, SMEs, industry representatives, public authorities, and international organisations. Her work focuses on translating research and innovation into practical solutions that create societal and economic impact.
As EIT Community Officer, she serves as the national focal point for the EIT Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, fostering collaboration between local stakeholders and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Her role includes increasing awareness of EIT opportunities, supporting participation in EIT programmes, strengthening connections among the nine EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), and facilitating the integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina into Europe’s innovation ecosystem. Dr. Ler has extensive experience in European cooperation and innovation programmes, having contributed to numerous EU-funded projects and initiatives in health, digital transformation, advanced technologies, education, and regional development. As an Advisory Board Member of FabLab Bosnia and Herzegovina, she has actively supported the design, development and implementation of projects funded through EIT, as a first EIT Health strategic partner in Bosnian and Herzegovina, Digital Europe, Erasmus+, Interreg, Creative Europe and EU4PSD programmes, contributing to consortium building, stakeholder engagement and innovation ecosystem growth.
Her expertise spans innovation management, healthcare innovation, digital transformation, quality management systems, policy development, and strategic partnerships. She is a member of the Health Council of the Ministry of Health of Sarajevo Canton, where she contributes to the development of health policies, prevention programmes, and strategic healthcare initiatives. She also serves on the BAS TC/25 Technical Committee for Health at the Institute for Standardization of Bosnia and Herzegovina, supporting the adoption and development of national standards aligned with European and international frameworks. An experienced lecturer, mentor, public speaker and communication professional, Dr. Ler has contributed to numerous conferences, workshops and public events across Europe. She is particularly passionate about empowering researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and young professionals by connecting them with international networks, funding opportunities and innovation support mechanisms.
Through her role as EIT Community Officer, she is committed to strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina’s innovation landscape, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and creating new opportunities for local talents and organisations to participate in Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem.
Contact Details
- Email: bosnia-herzegovina@eitcommunity.eu
- Phone: +387 33 744 623
- Address: Braće Begić 44, 71000 Sarajevo.
- LinkedIn: EIT Community Hub Bosnia and Herzegovina
News
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Upcoming Opportunities
Stay updated with the latest opportunities related to Bosnia and Herzegovina's innovation ecosystem and the activities of the EIT Community Hub. Through the EIT Community Hub Bosnia and Herzegovina, local stakeholders can explore calls, training programmes, mentoring opportunities, startup support, networking activities and innovation initiatives across EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities.
