Location: online
Organizer: Chamber of Construction and Building Materials Industry
Contact: Alenka Bea Logar Pučnik, 015898242, zgigm@gzs.si
Methodology, project office support, and European networking for smart specialization – key steps and strategies for successful application and implementation
Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (CEST)
Format: Online (the link to join will be sent later to the email address provided during registration)
Language: Slovenian (with the option of English if there is interest from international GREET CE partners or their SME partners)
Registration mandatory and via email to zgigm@gzs.si
Free of charge.
Target group:
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from GREET CE partner regions
• Research and development organizations (RRI)
• Development agencies and support environments
• Applicants and partners in emerging i3, Horizon Europe, and other projects
• Project offices and consultants for European calls for proposals
Webinar objectives:
• Brief introductory presentation of the characteristics of the i3, Horizon Europe, and other current calls for proposals from the perspective of preparing applications, from a Slovenian perspective
• Explain how project offices and RRI stakeholders can be involved in the preparation and implementation
• Highlight the key elements of a successful application (content, technical, and consortium aspects)
• Share practical experiences of successful partners from existing I3 projects
• Answer participants’ questions about the process, partner selection, and project management
Tentative program:
11:00–11:05 | Introductory welcome—What is I3, calls for proposals related to innovative projects focused on smart specialization
GZS ZGIGM also GREET CE representative
Overview of the I3 instrument, smart specialization
Lecturer: Alenka Bea Logar Pučnik, GZS ZGIGM and GREET CE representative
· 11:05–11:30 | How to obtain EU funds for companies that develop innovative products and want to connect internationally – concrete approaches, examples of good practices
Presentation of TECOS’ role as a partner in European projects I3, Horizon Europe, and similar projects in an expanded role as a project office – as a key coordination partner
Lecturer: Dr. Aleš Hančič
(TECOS – Slovenian Toolmaking Development Centre with professional and research cooperation in several international projects, where they present good practices of domestic industry and include Slovenian companies in the partnership project. One of the leading partners in the Strategic Development and Innovation Partnership SRIP Factories of the Future (SRIP ToP) since 2017, with a vision to become a long-term strategic development partner to manufacturing companies in the metalworking and other industries and a strategic focus on the circular economy and the development of new materials. With the RISE project, they are accelerating the introduction of innovations and promoting the investments necessary for successful sustainable interregional cooperation. With the INCIRCULAR project, they are focused on increasing the ratio of recycled to primary materials. the CIRCI project provides innovation vouchers for innovative companies, and the ADDCIRCLES project addresses the promotion of sustainable regional development in the field of additive manufacturing.
· 11:30–11:50 | Selecting project consortium partners – hands-on experience with recommendations
Lecturer: Miha Jazbinšek
(MK projekt – a consulting company with over 20 years of experience in project management, investment planning, and securing non-repayable sources of financing, with the aim of providing companies and public institutions with comprehensive and high-quality support in the implementation of their projects, both in Slovenia and within the European Union)
· 11:50–12:10 | How a project office can support you – consulting, methodologies, and examples of good practices
Lecturer: Primož Praper
( EUTRIP – a company offering comprehensive solutions in the field of investments in the broader area of construction and energy, including the preparation of conceptual solutions, investment and project documentation, applications for non-repayable funds, energy audits, supervision, monitoring, coordination and administration of EU projects, consulting on the introduction of BIM technology and digitisation in project management. The director of EUTRIP is the only Slovenian nominee for the prestigious international European Roger Léron Award 2022, presented by FEDARENE (European Federation of Agencies and Regions for Energy and the Environment).
· 12:10–12:40 | Discussion – Q&A: finding partners and setting up consortia, questions from participants
Discussion of specific ideas or dilemmas of applicants – tools for international networking of SMEs and researchers, etc.
| Conclusion and announcement of additional activities within the GREET CE project