As part of the Conference “Establishment of the Kosovo Innovation Fund: Presentation of Initial Findings and Next Steps”, a productive panel discussion took place, bringing together high-level local representatives and Austrian experts from Austrian National Funding Agency for Research and Industrial Development (FFG), led by Mr. Kujtim Dobruna, Managing Partner of ECIKS, with the following participants:
- Dr. Sabine Mayer, Strategy Department, Austrian Research Promotion Agency, FFG
- Dr. Brigit Tauber, Head of General Programs Department, FFG
- Anita Kovacic, CEO, Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo
- Prof. Dr. Arben Hajrullahu, Rector of the University of Prishtina
- Zef Dedaj, Acting General Director of the Investment and Enterprise Support Agency / MIET
- Yllza Mehmeti, Acting Head of ITT Division, Department of Science and Technology / MEST
The panel focused on local processes and Austrian experiences in financing research and industrial development, providing recommendations for the next steps towards establishing and effectively operating the Innovation Fund.
Today’s conference continued with a half-day workshop, featuring participation from MIET officers and project teams from EnInGeP, funded by ADA and KSV023, funded by Lux Dev. In this workshop, external experts engaged through EnInGeP and FFG experts presented the key findings of the roadmap study, the operational framework and governance structure of the Innovation Fund in Kosovo.
This Fund represents an important governance mechanism expected to strengthen cooperation between industry, academia, local organizations, institutions and international partners towards sustainable development in Kosovo.
