As Bosnia and Herzegovina’s industries face growing pressure to comply with the European Union’s sustainability and climate regulations, particularly the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), new pathways are needed to help companies adapt while remaining competitive. The Green Industry Innovation Accelerator (GIIA) responds to this challenge by connecting industrial needs with local innovation, supporting the country’s transition toward a greener and more resilient industrial economy.
Implemented by the University Sarajevo School of Science and Technology (SSST), the project is supported by the Czech-UNDP Partnership for Sustainable Development Goals through the Challenge Fund and funded by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. GIIA focuses on CBAM-affected sectors, starting with construction materials, where decarbonisation pressures are already reshaping market access conditions.
Industrial Transition in a Changing EU Context
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s export-oriented industries, many of them energy-intensive, are increasingly exposed to EU requirements related to emissions reporting, value-chain transparency, and corporate sustainability due diligence. While awareness of these obligations is rising, many companies—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises—still lack practical tools to assess their readiness and translate regulatory demands into concrete action.
To address this gap, GIIA introduced a Greening Value Chain (GVC) Readiness Assessment Methodology, designed to help companies identify sustainability gaps and opportunities across governance, digitalization, circular economy practices, innovation capacity, and skills development. During the reporting period, the methodology was pilot-tested in the construction materials sector, providing valuable real-world insights and refining the tool for broader application.
From Assessment to Action: The GIIA Hackathon
Building on the findings of the pilot, a central milestone of the project was the GIIA hackathon, which translated assessment results into a practical, innovation-driven process. The event brought together 118 innovators, alongside industry representatives, sustainability experts, and institutional partners.
The hackathon challenges were grounded in real operational and sustainability gaps identified during the pilot testing. Participants worked on solutions addressing three key areas: digitalisation of green value chains, including emissions tracking and data management; circular economy and concrete recycling, responding to construction waste and resource efficiency challenges; and industrial and community sustainability, with a focus on health, safety, and environmental impacts.
The event created a dynamic space for exchange, enabling innovators to better understand industry constraints while allowing companies to explore fresh ideas and potential partnerships. The strong engagement demonstrated growing interest in sustainability-driven innovation and confirmed the relevance of the GVC methodology as a foundation for practical action. The winning team was granted a 20,000 BAM Investment Fund to further develop their solution.
Building Partnerships and Future Momentum
Partnerships remain at the core of GIIA’s approach. SSST leads technical development and coordination, while Heidelberg Materials Cement BiH ensures industry relevance through hands-on engagement. The Chamber of Economy of the Federation of BiH plays a key role in SME outreach and dissemination, helping embed the project’s tools and insights into broader business support structures.
By combining assessment, innovation, and collaboration, the Green Industry Innovation Accelerator is helping Bosnia and Herzegovina’s industries move from compliance-driven responses toward proactive, innovation-led green transformation. The project offers a replicable model for aligning sustainability requirements with industrial competitiveness and long-term economic resilience.
