BACKGROUND

ICT Hub – Playground for Innovations is a $535,000 public-private partnership between USAID and ICT Hub. Playground for Innovations educates and motivates Serbian companies and individuals to integrate digital technologies into their everyday processes which increases competiveness and the ability to grow and to create jobs.  The project  fosters innovation in Serbia’s economy by providing collaborative environment between traditional and digital businesses.

ACTIVITIES

• Uses educational activities to teach  small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) innovative business practices that enhance interactions with key customers, employees, suppliers, and stakeholders
• Establishes a network to connect traditional industries to companies and individuals in the digital/new technologies field
• Fosters the creation of new technology initiatives that support traditional industries

RESULTS

• Organized 64 workshops throughout Serbia that educated 500 entrepeneurs on digital transformation and how to use digitalization to improve operations. Acquainted representatives from the business community, employers, and employees with the basic concepts of digital marketing and strategies for improving their online presence.
• Arranged 24 meetups and 3 hackathons where 350 representatives from traditional and information technology industries discussed business innovation. 
• Organized the first Innovation Management Academy (IMA) where 40 future leaders were taught how to manage innovation processes in their companies. Due to overwhelming interest in the IMA a second academy was successfully completed.   
• Coordinated the first annual Corporate Innovation Conference in Serbia in October 2018 that brought together stakeholders interested in corporate innovation. The conference gathered 380 representatives from the local business community, state, startups, and academia.

Project funded by:

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID/Serbia)

Project implemented by:

ICT Hub

Key counterparts:

Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, Serbian Association of Managers

Where we work:

Nationwide

Project duration:

March 2018 – January 2020

Total amount:

$535,000

USAID share: $220,000

ICT Hub share: $315,000

Contact:

Kralja Milana 10 / 2, 11 000 Belgrade

Phone: +381 11 411 8881 

E-mail: kosta.andric@icthub.rs

Website: https://icthubplayground.rs/

Social media platforms: https://www.facebook.com/ICTHubBgd/