EU projects and programmes

Purpose of the project

Improving the competitiveness of the business sector and of the region through the establishment of RDI infrastructure and increased investment in the development of new products and services based on RDI activities, with particular emphasis on efficient environmental and resource management.

Advantages of the consortium structure

• Effective cooperation and transfer of knowledge and technology between the partners
• Efficient implementation of collaborative RDI projects (industrial research and experimental development)
• Support to the development of innovation capacities in the region
• Support to the creation and growth of new technology companies

Activities and infrastructure

Within CEKOM, the construction of research and development infrastructure is planned, together with the implementation of 7 collaborative RDI projects aimed at the development and commercialisation of new products of high added value.

The role of IPNG

IPNG is the promoter of 2 research and development activities: Development of lightweight metals for the automotive industry and Development of lightweight optimised parts for the automotive industry, in cooperation with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and CEKOM. It also takes part in the development of robotic systems for the automotive, defence and food industries.

Partners and associates

Industrijski park Nova Gradiška, Klimaoprema, Migautomatika, Hladni Val, Altpro, ININ, Strojarski fakultet Slavonski Brod, Atlantic Multipower (suradnik), Clarum (suradnik)

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Programme framework

• Programme priority: 1 – Cooperation for a smarter programme area
• Specific objective: RSO1.1 – Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies

Key activities and innovations

• Cross-Border Cooperation Council (CBCC) — development of tailored curricula for adult education in specific technological fields
• VR technologies — training in CNC machining, mechatronics, robotics, automation and laser applications through virtual reality
• Specialised training programmes — tailored curricula that respond to the specific needs of industry in both countries

Expected results

• Development of a highly qualified workforce adapted to Industry 4.0
• Creation of a regional ecosystem for innovation and economic growth
• Increased cooperation between industry and educational institutions
• Improvement of the quality of life in local communities

Financial data

• Total project value: 451.016,00 €
• Grant: 383.363,60 €
• IPNG contribution, total: 248.660,00 €
• EU funding for IPNG: 211.361,00 €
• IPNG own funds: 37.299,00 €

Partners and associates

Industrijski park Nova Gradiška d.o.o. (Hrvatska), Centar za stručno usavršavanje Šabac (Srbija), Internacionalni centar za transfer znanja i tehnologije (ICTTI), Novi Sad (Srbija)

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General objective

Contribution to smart and sustainable regional development and improvement of the level of competitiveness of Brodsko-posavska County through the development of high-technology companies and the attraction of investment, and by creating the conditions for the intensive development of existing companies and the establishment of new ones.

Specific objective

Creation of an internationally recognised top-quality business and investment destination — an Incubator providing highly specialised services to companies, research and educational institutions in the field of developing new technologies, knowledge and innovation.

Target groups

• Technology-oriented companies
• Start-up companies
• Entrepreneurship support institutions
• Creative and digitally oriented companies
• Other business users of office space

Main activities

• Construction works and procurement of equipment — development of high-quality entrepreneurial and business infrastructure
• Development of 5 types of business support services: technology services, business and marketing services, pre-incubation/incubation, networking (EEN), Virtual Incubator
• Promotion and visibility

Results

• Technology Incubator established — infrastructure built and equipped
• High-quality business support services developed for technology-oriented companies
• Project successfully completed in line with the planned budget and timeframe

Financial data

• Total project value: 29.847.343,00 HRK
• Grant: 19.945.084,25 HRK

Partners and associates

Brodsko-posavska županija, Strojarski fakultet Slavonski Brod, Industrijsko-obrtnička škola Nova Gradiška, Tera Tehnopolis d.o.o., HGK — Županijska komora Slavonski Brod, Obrtnička komora BPŽ, Centar kompetencija za napredno inženjerstvo Nova Gradiška d.o.o.

Details

Promoter and partners

Promoter: Industrijski park Nova Gradiška d.o.o. Contracting body: Croatian Employment Service, EU Project Financing and Contracting Service.

Target groups

• Long-term unemployed young people (up to 24 years of age) with a low level of education
• Persons unemployed for more than 5 years
• Unemployed Roma and employed Roma willing to improve their skills
• Unemployed persons with disabilities
• Unemployed persons belonging to other national minorities

Specific objective

Design and implementation of an integrated system for increasing the employability of disadvantaged groups and their integration into the labour market, in line with regional business needs and requirements.

Main activities

• Development of a local/regional labour market network
• Services of 9 types of training — 90 participants in total
• Creation and development of the Business Club
• Promotion of entrepreneurship and self-employment activities
• Promotional activities

Results

• Local/regional labour market network developed
• 90 participants trained through the project
• 15 participants gained work experience, 20 participants found employment
• Entrepreneurship and self-employment promoted and supported

Financial data

• Total value: 193.251,65 €
• Grant: 142.637,12 €
• Duration: 12 months

Partners and associates

HZZ Područna služba Slavonski Brod, Mreža romskih udruga Hrvatske, Industrijsko-obrtnička škola Nova Gradiška, HGK Županijska komora Slavonski Brod, Obrtnička komora BPŽ, Grad Nova Gradiška, Brodsko-posavska županija

Details

General objective

To contribute to the promotion and development of entrepreneurship in Brodsko-posavska County by creating a favourable environment for the establishment and development of companies and by developing high-quality business support services for SMEs, with a beneficial impact on regional development and on improving the competitiveness of the county.

Target results

To inform 160 entrepreneurs (at least 75 SMEs operating for less than 36 months) about EU financing opportunities, networking, internationalisation and the benefits of business support — through workshops, e-newsletters and email.

Information activities (16 workshops)

• Human resources management
• Business succession planning
• Start-up academy – how to shape an idea and create a business model
• Techniques for generating business ideas
• Protection of intellectual property in SMEs
• Modern distribution channels – web shop
• Digital marketing – Google Ads and Google Analytics
• Social networks for entrepreneurs
• Conversations with an accountant
• Starting a business – d.o.o., j.d.o.o. or sole proprietorship?
• Fundamentals of business planning
• Marketing and branding
• Financing options for a business idea and crowdfunding
• Batteries and e-mobility
• Business negotiation strategies and tactics
• Procurement procedures for entities that are not subject to public procurement rules

Additional activities

3 conferences and 8 round tables on the topics of EU calls for proposals, internationalisation, social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education — with the aim of connecting stakeholders from the public, private and education sectors.

Financial data

• Total project value: 555.460,58 HRK
• Co-financing intensity: 75%
• Grant: 416.595,40 HRK

Details

Applicant and partners

Applicant: ZEDA Zenica Development Agency (BiH). Partners: Industrijski park Nova Gradiška d.o.o. (Croatia), Municipality of Gradiška (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre Tehnopolis, Nikšić (Montenegro).

The role of IPNG

As a provider of services to entrepreneurs, IPNG is improving and upgrading its capacities to deliver new education services in the training centre through the procurement of new CNC machines and equipment.

Project objectives

• Improvement of the business environment through the creation of new innovation support mechanisms for SMEs
• Strengthening staff capabilities, acquiring new knowledge and skills, and creating a network of educational centres

Main results

• Part of the ZEDA building renovated with 35 new office spaces for SMEs
• At least 5 SMEs accommodated in the newly refurbished building
• 6 innovation centres for training and education equipped in the partner countries
• A network of educational institutions and a virtual education web platform established
• Staff of 3 business support organisations and one public institution trained
• 5 training cycles for 252 pupils / entrepreneurs / unemployed persons

Target groups

• Entrepreneurs from Croatia, BiH and Montenegro who need knowledge of robotics, CNC machine programming and mechatronics
• Newly established start-up companies that need business premises and support
• Trainers, students and unemployed persons who wish to acquire new skills

Financial data

• Total project value: 1.338.526,66 € (EU 85%, partners 15%)
• IPNG financial share: 325.867,00 €
• IPNG grant: 276.986,95 €
• Project duration: 24 months

Details

Purpose of the project

Development of a system to support the sustainable employment of vulnerable groups by improving the professional knowledge and skills of 85 participants in training programmes, in line with local and regional development needs.

Specific objective

Development of a system to support the sustainable employment of vulnerable groups by investing in new knowledge and skills, with the aim of reducing unemployment and achieving integration into the labour market through increased employability.

Project activities

• 5 motivational workshops
• 9 workshops of the Employment Club
• 7 training and upskilling programmes for 85 participants
• Promotion and visibility activities
• Establishment of a web portal

Target groups

• Young people without work experience
• Women over 45 years of age
• Persons with a low level of education
• Persons with intellectual difficulties (secondary school pupils)

Financial data

• Total value: 1.117.501,20 HRK
• Grant: 1.000.000,00 HRK (89%)
• Applicant funds: 117.501,20 HRK
• Implementation period: 24 months (04/2019 – 03/2021)

Partners and associates

Hrvatski zavod za zapošljavanje – Područni ured Slavonski Brod, Obrtnička komora Brodsko-posavske županije, Industrijsko-obrtnička škola Nova Gradiška

Details

Purpose of the project

Encouraging the employability, self-employment and establishment of socially responsible entrepreneurship of persons with hearing impairment and young people with limited working capacity from the area of Nova Gradiška and the surrounding municipalities — through workshops and counselling, with the aim of reducing unemployment and increasing social inclusion.

Project objective

To provide a support system for work and entrepreneurship comprising counselling and workshops — to support persons with hearing impairment and young people with limited working capacity in activating themselves on the labour market and in developing business ideas.

Target group

• Persons with hearing impairment — 15 persons
• Young people with limited working capacity — 10 persons

Expected results

The knowledge and competences acquired by the participants have lasting value — they will benefit them when seeking employment, in possible employment and in establishing a company. The project has a positive synergistic effect with the project "Learning to Knowledge – Knowledge to Employment", which IPNG is implementing at the same time.

Partners and associates

Udruga gluhih i nagluhih Nova Gradiška, DEEP DATA j.d.o.o.

Details

Purpose and objective

The implementation of a high-quality Acceleration Programme has been established, which will enable faster and better growth for at least 120 newly established companies developing innovative solutions. Supported companies will be given easier access to the capital, goods and services markets, with the aim of increasing their investment readiness and their three-year survival rate.

Programme phases (IPNG)

• First phase: 3 months
• Second phase: 9 months
• Third phase: 12 months

Consortium

"Regional Consortium for Support to the Development of New Services and Products" — promoter: Centre of Competence Vinkovci. Members include development agencies and universities of eastern Croatia, as well as Industrijski park Nova Gradiška d.o.o.

Details

General objective

Contribution to sustainable regional development and improvement of the competitiveness of the region by creating new jobs in the technology-intensive secondary sector and by employing highly qualified local workers.

Specific objective

Support to the development of innovation, knowledge and technology-based entrepreneurship, and the creation of new jobs of high added value.

Target groups

Small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, students, workers and professionals. Final beneficiaries: City of Nova Gradiška and Brodsko-posavska County.

Main activities

• Establishment of a multi-sector Tehnopark: Training Centre, Business and Technology Incubator, Engineering Centre and Marketing Services Centre
• Establishment of 2 specialised laboratories for metal and wood processing
• Development of a cooperation network between educational institutions, the R&D sector, entrepreneurs and public administration
• Sharing of EU good practice and establishment of an international cooperation network
• Improvement of managerial and technical skills in the field of know-how transfer and business incubation
• Development of entrepreneurship through courses for students, unemployed persons and SME employees
• Design and development of new services for SMEs in new technologies, marketing and international business

Results

• Organisational and service structure of the multi-sector Tehnopark established
• Capacity-building mechanism for market-oriented services established
• Mapping of the competences of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Slavonski Brod carried out
• Vocational education mechanism established at local level
• Pupils, students, unemployed persons and SME employees trained in managerial and technological topics

Financial data

• Total project value: 1.147.267,20 €
• Grant: 803.087,04 €
• Project duration: 18 months

Partners and associates

Grad Nova Gradiška (nositelj), Brodsko-posavska županija, Industrijski park Nova Gradiška d.o.o., Strojarski fakultet Slavonski Brod, AREA Science Park Trst (Italija), HGK Županijska komora Slavonski Brod, Obrtnička komora BPŽ, Industrijsko-obrtnička škola Nova Gradiška, Elektrotehnička i ekonomska škola Nova Gradiška

Details

Target groups

Unemployed persons, employed persons at risk of losing their jobs, pupils and students. Final beneficiaries: IPNG, City of Nova Gradiška and Brodsko-posavska County.

Specific objective

Development of a system for upgrading the skills of the workforce in the field of new technologies and effective job seeking, in line with the needs of the regional labour market.

Main activities

• Development of the local labour market
• Training services — 5 types of programme: CNC metal machining, CNC programming, training in measurement techniques, IT – ECDL programme (64 participants)
• Creation and development of the Business Club — workshops and guidance on finding a job (12-week programme)
• Promotion of project activities
• Management of project activities

Results

• Local labour market developed
• 64 participants trained to work with new technologies
• 26 participants found employment and/or retained their existing job
• New investors attracted by the trained workforce

Financial data

• Total value: 130.593,15 €
• Grant: 95.793,51 €
• Duration: 12 months

Partners and associates

Grad Nova Gradiška, HZZ Područna služba Slavonski Brod, HGK Županijska komora Slavonski Brod, Obrtnička komora Brodsko-posavske županije, Industrijsko-obrtnička škola Nova Gradiška

Details

Target groups

Unemployed young persons and unemployed young persons without work experience and/or with a low level of skills. Final beneficiaries: IPNG, City of Nova Gradiška and Brodsko-posavska County.

Specific objective

Planning and implementation of an integrated system of youth development and active employment measures in line with the needs of the regional labour market.

Main activities

• Development of the local youth labour market — partnership of the business sector, employment institutions, educational institutions and local government
• Training services — 6 types of programme for 90 participants: CNC metal machining, CNC programming, measurement techniques, web design, system and network administrator, entrepreneurship
• Creation and development of the Business Club — workshops and guidance on finding a job (12-week programme)
• Promotion of project activities
• Management of project activities

Results

• Local youth labour market developed
• 90 participants trained to work with new technologies
• 72 participants employed and/or retained their existing job
• 18 participants improved their employment prospects
• Youth entrepreneurship actively supported

Financial data

• Total value: 166.650,68 €
• Grant: 118.650,68 €
• Duration: 12 months

Partners and associates

Brodsko-posavska županija, HZZ Područna služba Slavonski Brod, HGK Županijska komora Slavonski Brod, Grad Nova Gradiška, Obrtnička komora Brodsko-posavske županije, Elektrotehnička škola Nova Gradiška, Industrijsko-obrtnička škola Nova Gradiška

Details

Thematic areas of the working groups

• Economy
• Spatial planning, infrastructure, transport and environmental protection
• Social activities

Three strategic development objectives (Europe 2020)

• 1. SMART GROWTH – Increasing the competitiveness of the economy
• 2. SUSTAINABLE GROWTH – Efficient management of resources, infrastructure and environmental protection
• 3. INCLUSIVE GROWTH – Improving the quality of life of citizens

Smart city concept

A document prepared on the basis of the smart cities concept through 6 synergistic factors: smart economy, smart governance, smart mobility, smart environment, smart community and smart living.

Adoption and significance

The Strategy was adopted on 3 March 2017 by a unanimous decision of 18 city councillors at a session of the City Council. The document is a precondition for the City to apply for co-financing of projects from EU funds.

Financial data

• Adopted: 3 March 2017

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Objective of the centre

• Easy access to information about the EU — citizens' rights, priorities, legislation, policies, programmes and financing opportunities
• Promotion of participatory citizenship at local and regional level
• Creating opportunities to express and exchange views in all areas of EU activity, especially those affecting the daily life of citizens

Contribution and results

The Europe Direct Information Centre Nova Gradiška significantly increased the communication capacity of the European Union through strengthened synergy and coordination with other information and assistance networks covering specific EU policy areas.

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