The implementation of nine projects supported through the grant scheme "Scientific potential in the service of innovation" will contribute to the strengthening of excellence in research and the innovation system in Montenegro, as well as to strengthen the human resources component in the field of science and innovation. This was announced during the conference organised at Europe House on the occasion of the start of the implementation of the projects.

Liselotte Isaksson, Deputy Head of the Cooperation Sector of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, expressed satisfaction that nine innovative projects, based on the priorities of the Smart Specialisation Strategy, were supported with around one million Euros.

"With these projects, we wanted to improve the connection between the research community and the industrial sector, for the benefit of the economy and citizens of Montenegro," said Isaksson, emphasising that research and innovation are at the heart of any growing economy, and that they play a key role in creating jobs and creating a green and sustainable growth.

Isaksson referred to joint efforts in launching and implementing the Smart Specialisation Strategy of Montenegro, recalling that Montenegro is the first country to do so in the Western Balkans, with the goal of a competitive economy based on knowledge and innovation. She encouraged all researchers in Montenegro to continue to be brave and innovative, to come up with new ideas and apply for future EU grants, in order to play an active role in rapidly changing societies and economies, adding that the EU will continue to support them on this path.

The total value of this call was €1,176,470.60, of which Montenegro is co-financing 15%. In January of this year, nine contracts were signed with a total value of €986,876.44.

"Intensifying the mobility of young researchers, improving their technical and commercial skills through engagement in the economic sector, as well as strengthening the research and development capacities of the economy through engagement in the academic sector, will be ensured by the implementation of these projects, based on the priorities of the Smart Specialisation Strategy, for which grants have been provided in the range of €80,000 to 125,000," announced the Minister of Science and Technological Development, Biljana Scepanovic.

She expressed expectation that the practical implementation of these grants from the IPA 2020 programme will surpass the success of the previous grant scheme from the EU and Montenegro Programme for Education, Employment, and Social Policy and be "another great step forward towards the adoption of European values in science and research and a significant step towards the future use of structural funds."

Minister Scepanovic also emphasised that, through the goals of national policies for the field of science and research, which are harmonised with European ones, a special focus is placed on young researchers, especially women, and their engagement in the sectors of academia and industry. Through innovative project proposals, they will exchange knowledge and experiences, strengthen research competences, and strive to achieve the highest degree of competitiveness in the mentioned sectors, which will further lead to faster economic growth of the national economy.

Ana Raicevic, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance responsible for the financial management of IPA programmes, said that this grant scheme is part of a wider action that will contribute to strengthening innovation capacities by supporting the development of the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3), all with the aim of strengthening the capacities of small and medium-sized enterprises.