At the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) was officially launched, marking one of the key phases in developing Montenegro’s new Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) for the period 2025–2030.

Over the past six years, more than 167 million euros have been invested in the implementation of the first S3 Strategy (2019–2024), which has significantly improved innovation and research infrastructure. Additionally, through tax incentives and other support measures, both domestic and foreign investments in innovative companies have been encouraged.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić stated that Montenegro has the knowledge, talent, and courage to stand shoulder to shoulder with larger economies:

,,The Smart Specialisation Strategy enabled us to establish the Innovation Fund, as well as to strengthen infrastructure—the Science and Technology Park in Podgorica and Technopolis in Nikšić, which today bring together more than 150 companies and teams. Through tax incentives, the state has provided 7 million euros of support to investors over the past four years, which in 2024 alone resulted in 1 million euros of direct foreign investments in innovative companies.”

Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation Anđela Jakšić – Stojanović emphasized that Montenegro is entering a new development cycle:

“We are launching the Entrepreneurial Discovery consultation process to identify key areas for development and to guide innovation policy over the next six-year period.”

Ekaterina Paniklova, UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, highlighted the importance of an inclusive dialogue between the government, the business sector, the academic community, and civil society in shaping the new strategy.

Miguel Landabaso Alvarez, representative of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), described the EDP process as a “fundamental part of a high-quality Smart Specialisation Strategy.”

Ivana Janković-Mijanović, Acting Director of the Directorate at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation and national S3 coordinator, presented the methodology for developing the new strategy and emphasized the importance of actively involving all stakeholders in the EDP process.

It is particularly important to highlight that the Executive Director of the Science and Technology Park, Ms. Valentina Radulović, is leading the EDP process in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), thereby confirming the Park’s key role in developing Montenegro’s innovation ecosystem.

By hosting this event at the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, our center has once again been affirmed as a hub for innovation, research, and the connection between science and industry in the country.

Through leading the EDP process in the ICT sector, STP will actively contribute to defining future priorities and fostering the development of innovative companies and new technologies that can significantly advance Montenegro’s economy.