- Conference
SMART Final Conference: Innovation for Next Generation
- SMART project
- Podgorica, Montenegro
Description
Innovation thrives where knowledge, creativity and entrepreneurship intersect. Recognising this, the SMART Final Conference – Innovation for Next Generation brings together universities, businesses, policymakers and innovators to explore how higher education can drive sustainable development and smart specialisation in the Western Balkans. Hosted by the University of Donja Gorica in Podgorica (Montenegro) on 23 October 2025, the event marks the culmination of the Erasmus+ CBHE project SMART, aimed at fostering university-business cooperation for smart regional specialisation.
At a time when regions across Europe are redefining their innovation ecosystems, the conference provides a platform to discuss how academic institutions can act as catalysts for change — translating research into entrepreneurial initiatives, strengthening innovation infrastructures and connecting local potential with global opportunities. Through two thematic panels, participants will delve into the journey “from strategy to implementation” and examine how smart specialisation strategies can be effectively applied in the Western Balkan context.
A highlight of the event is the SMART Idea Contest Final, where student teams from partner universities showcase pioneering solutions to societal and environmental challenges – from biodegradable materials derived from textile waste to digital platforms promoting circular economy and sustainable tourism. These initiatives illustrate how education and innovation can merge to generate tangible impact for communities and economies alike.
By bringing together regional leaders, academic experts and young entrepreneurs, SMART Innovation for Next Generation conference aims to celebrate the achievements of the SMART project while setting the stage for future collaborations. The conference underscores a shared belief: that innovation, when nurtured through cross-sector cooperation, becomes a driving force for inclusive growth, resilience and prosperity across the Western Balkans and beyond.
The event is held in English at the University of Donja Gorica in Podgorica, Montenegro and online.
At a time when regions across Europe are redefining their innovation ecosystems, the conference provides a platform to discuss how academic institutions can act as catalysts for change — translating research into entrepreneurial initiatives, strengthening innovation infrastructures and connecting local potential with global opportunities. Through two thematic panels, participants will delve into the journey “from strategy to implementation” and examine how smart specialisation strategies can be effectively applied in the Western Balkan context.
A highlight of the event is the SMART Idea Contest Final, where student teams from partner universities showcase pioneering solutions to societal and environmental challenges – from biodegradable materials derived from textile waste to digital platforms promoting circular economy and sustainable tourism. These initiatives illustrate how education and innovation can merge to generate tangible impact for communities and economies alike.
By bringing together regional leaders, academic experts and young entrepreneurs, SMART Innovation for Next Generation conference aims to celebrate the achievements of the SMART project while setting the stage for future collaborations. The conference underscores a shared belief: that innovation, when nurtured through cross-sector cooperation, becomes a driving force for inclusive growth, resilience and prosperity across the Western Balkans and beyond.
The event is held in English at the University of Donja Gorica in Podgorica, Montenegro and online.
- 23/10/2025
