Serbia Receives 11 Million euro from Switzerland to Support Innovation and Research

Switzerland has officially announced the provision of 11 million euro in financial support to strengthen Serbia’s innovation ecosystem. The investment is aimed at accelerating digital transformation, developing research and development activities, and creating a more favorable environment for the growth of high-tech startups in the country, BalkanEngineer.com learned from the business portal SeeNews.

The financial package is the result of a strategic partnership between the Swiss government and institutions in Belgrade, with the goal of stimulating the innovative capacity of the Serbian economy. The program will focus on several key areas: the digitization of traditional industries, the transition to a green economy, and support for applied scientific research with direct applications in the industrial sector. The funds are expected to facilitate the transfer of know-how and technologies, while creating new opportunities for collaboration between academia, business, and public administration.

Experts note that the 11 million euro financial injection will enable Serbia to develop a more competitive manufacturing base that is less reliant on outdated technologies and more focused on high-value-added innovation. Strengthening the innovation ecosystem is also a direct path to attracting new foreign direct investment in sectors such as software development, electronics, and sustainable energy, analysts further note.

The support program also includes the establishment of mentoring mechanisms and access to specialized equipment, which will help entrepreneurs overcome initial barriers to growth. The project is also expected to generate a significant number of new highly skilled jobs, retaining young talent in the country and stimulating local entrepreneurial activity.

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