The Accelerator programme in the Republic of Srpska is a groundbreaking initiative for nurturing innovative start-ups that has emerged within the ACCELERATOR project, co-financed from the European Union as part of the Danube Transnational Programme. Over the course of its implementation from January 2017 to the end of June 2019, the Development Agency of the Republic of Srpska, in collaboration with 14 partner organizations and institutions from 8 countries in the Danube region, worked to empower inventive start-ups to swiftly transform their ideas into profitable enterprises. We interviewed Marica Berić, the Head of the Strategic Planning Department of the Development Agency of the Republic of Srpska, to learn about the results and outcomes of the ACCELERATOR project in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

June 29, 2023

Marica Berić (on the right) with start-ups participating in the Accelerator programme.

1. How have the project results been used?

Drawing on the knowledge and experience of other European countries, the Development Agency of the Republic of Srpska, has developed its Accelerator program, encompassing a wide array of support provided to innovative start-ups in the Republic of Srpska in the form of training, advisory support, use of space for work within the business incubator, administrative and technical support for the use of funds from various financing programs, the opportunity to present themselves to potential investors, as well as promotion and international networking. 

We are extremely satisfied with the interest of individuals who want to start their businesses to participate in Accelerator programme. Start-ups themselves contact us and ask to be included in the Accelerator programme. Through 10 cycles of the Accelerator programme from 2017 until today, we have supported more than 120 start-ups in the Republic of Srpska/Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

We implement Accelerator programme in partnership with various institutions and organizations throughout the Republic of Srpska. During the 2.5 months that this programme lasts, lecturers and mentors who have entrepreneurial experience and knowledge in certain areas work with our start-ups. Our participants have been satisfied with the knowledge they received, as well as the advisory support, and of course the awards, based on which they successfully started their businesses. They are our best advertisement for this programme.

Through 10 cycles of the Accelerator programme from 2017 until today, we have supported more than 120 start-ups in the Republic of Srpska/Bosnia and Herzegovina.

2. Was the project's impact on policy making as expected?

The impact of the implementation of the ACCELERATOR project in the Republic of Srpska/Bosnia and Herzegovina met expectations. The Accelerator programme has become a regular activity of the Development Agency of the Republic of Srpska, which has become a part of the Agency's Work Programme adopted by the Government of the Republic of Srpska. In addition, the implementation of the project had the effect of being included in the strategic documents of the Republic of Srpska, such as the Strategy for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises of the Republic of Srpska for the period 2021-2027 and the Youth Policy of the Republic of Srpska from 2023 to 2027, which created the preconditions for the establishment of systemic support for innovative start-ups in the Republic of Srpska.

3. Have the project results influenced policy decisions or led to any changes in the field?

The fact is that most of these programmes are concentrated in larger cities and the start-ups from smaller areas, especially rural areas, do not have the opportunity to receive this type of support. For this reason, we recognized the need to implement Accelerator programme throughout the Republic of Srpska in cooperation with local communities. What is commendable is the fact that local communities recognize the importance of participating in this program, which is also shown by the allocation of funds to the prize fund for the best business ideas.

In addition to local development agencies and local communities, we need to include scientific institutions, universities, government representatives and other organizations that provide support for beginners in business in the Accelerator programme so that we can all work together to create a more favourable environment for opening new businesses in the Republic of Srpska.

4. Was there any resistance or challenges in incorporating the project results into their work?

From the beginning of the implementation of the ACCELERATOR project, we have had no resistance or challenge to include the results of the project in the work of decision-makers. From the very beginning of the implementation of the project, we have had the support of our relevant ministry, the Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship, as well as local communities and other institutions and organizations that provide support to beginners in business both at the local and entity level.

5. How can future projects better support use of the results to drive positive change?

The implementation of pilot programme and the preparation of action plans for their implementation after the implementation of projects, as well as the preparation of recommendations for decision-makers, certainly lead to the initiation of positive changes in the countries of the Danube region in certain areas.

For more interviews with changemakers from the Danube region, go here.