Innovation is usually the result of exceptional professionalism, respect for knowledge, collaboration and respect for the environment and people. It is the driver of change that naturally brings economic impacts while improving many processes and enhancing efficiency. This has a positive impact on work and everyday processes in the field of environment, mobility and healthcare, underlined State Secretary Marko Koprivc in his opening address.

“In a period of rapid change, Europe and Slovenia recognise the importance of development and innovation, both in relation to green and digital transition and in other areas. This is why almost 1 billion euros of EU funding has been earmarked for the objectives Smart Europe and Just Transition, which focus on developing skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition, and entrepreneurship, as well as the concept of a just transition for regions and people,” said State Secretary Koprivc in his address as the keynote speaker.

“The new Smart Specialisation Strategy sets Slovenia’s goal of a green transition in the 2021-2027 programming period, which we understand as an innovative, low-carbon, digital and knowledge-based transformation of the economy and society. This gives smart specialisation a sustainable character. It is promoted under the acronym S5 (Slovenian Sustainable Smart Specialisation Strategy) and constitutes a comprehensive and central basis for allocating a segment of the funding available under the European Regional Development Fund within the Smart Europe objective. The concept of smart specialisation is a key lever for transformation and enhancing productivity,” said Koprivc thus underlining the importance of smart specialisation.

The event was organised for small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups in the field of smart industry.