In a recent event dedicated to the European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT) and its sub-programmes, the advantages for Montenegro were highlighted. Montenegro’s membership in Horizon Europe has allowed the country to address challenges such as a lack of funding for innovation, a shortage of skilled workforce, brain drain, and other related issues.

Concrete discussions and subsequent agreements focused on increasing Montenegro’s capacities through setting up an EIT office. This strategic step aims to enhance EU and regional cooperation in fields such as science, research, economy, business development, industry, and startups.

Over the past decade, the available funds have grown tenfold, providing ample opportunities for innovation and development. It is anticipated that through this project cycle, funding and apprenticeship programmes for PhD students will equip them with highly relevant skills, enabling them to specialize within the EU. These programmes are designed to provide students with specialized knowledge in their respective fields, facilitated by the extensive network and resources of the EU.

At the event, Igor Culafic, one of the Young European Ambassadors (YEAs), noted: “Considering my background in engineering and involvement in AI, this was an appealing event for me, especially since one of my focus points is Information Technologies. I talked to tech professionals, successful startup founders, and others working on similar programmes. The knowledge I gained from this event will definitely be useful for me in my future actions on the way to developing my own startup, so I highly recommend other youth to attend similar events and engage with the speakers.”