The Chamber of Economy organized the event “EmBRACE – EU Support for Ideas That Make a Difference,” dedicated to promoting the success of Montenegrin micro and small companies that implemented projects supported by European grants under the first EmBRACE call. The EmBRACE project is implemented through the Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2021–2027, with the aim of encouraging continuous growth and enhancing the competitiveness of micro and small enterprises in the border areas of these three countries. The project lead partner is the Hrvatska agencija za malo gospodarstvo, inovacije i investicije HAMAG BICRO. The focus of the event was on successful companies which, in cooperation with partners from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, achieved notable results during the year of project implementation.
The President of the Chamber of Economy, Dr. Nina Drakić, stated that through the EmBRACE project Montenegrin companies demonstrated their capacity to develop innovative solutions, manage demanding projects, and successfully use European funds: “Their projects did not remain at the level of ideas – they were transformed into new products, digital tools, improved processes, and modern business models. That is why this event is not just a presentation of projects, but a public recognition of the success of companies that have ideas, are competitive, and proactive,” Drakić said, adding that through EmBRACE projects European integration gains a very concrete dimension – within companies, in their results, and in the new knowledge that remains in our economy. “In the context of Montenegro’s imminent accession to the European Union, we must be aware that a period lies ahead in which we will need to learn, work, and strengthen the capacities of the economy even more intensively. European funds are not only a financial opportunity – they require knowledge, dedication, and readiness for change. The Chamber of Economy of Montenegro is aware of this and is therefore already actively working to strengthen the knowledge of the business community in this area, including through highly attended educational events,” Drakić said.
Miloš Marković, Director General of the Directorate for European Territorial Cooperation at the Ministry of European Affairs, expressed satisfaction with the results achieved by Montenegrin companies in the first EmBRACE call, which, as he stated, demonstrated innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. “Successful project stories show the essence of European support — fostering regional cooperation to achieve concrete results and address challenges in various areas, especially in improving the economy,” Marković said. Speaking about further interest in the program, he noted that under the second call a total of 295 project proposals were submitted, of which 78 came from Montenegro, which, according to him, confirms the readiness of institutions and enterprises to actively participate in EU programs. He added that the Ministry of European Affairs recognizes the significant role of the Chamber of Economy, which acts actively and works dedicatedly to strengthen the capacities of companies for the implementation of projects supported by the European Union.
During the event, company representatives presented the results of projects they successfully implemented in cooperation with partners:
REMID VIS (project FurniFlex),
M.A.S. CODE (Development of Innovative Services to Facilitate the Purchase of Food Products for Persons with Special Dietary Needs – Scan-HEALTH),
TRONY NETWORK (Patented AI Solution for Establishing Nation/Corporation Tailored Threat Prevention),
INESKA (Speak Alo!),
MONTENEGRO ADVENTURES (project Adriatic & Beyond – Explore the Gems of the Adriatic Coast and the Wild Highlands of the Balkans on an Epic Journey),
ALICORN (ESG Training Made Simple),
STATPRO (CompanIES Guide),
PARTNER MEDIA (BioDesign Connect),
MODRONE (GNSS-Based IoT System for Smart Landslide Monitoring and Agricultural Applications – Smart GNSS),
MEDITERA (Prefabricated nZEB Houses),
UPBEAT HUB (Bio Tac),
BRAIN CODE (Cross-Border Health-Tech Venture Builder),
Enterijeri – SNV (Sustaincheck),
VIZIN TRAVEL (CROMEBIH Cooperation), and
INFRASTRUKTURA (GeoNext).
The event was moderated by Tanja Radusinović, Director of the Projects Sector at the Chamber of Economy, who emphasized that grants totaling nearly 1.1 million euros in European support funds were approved for these projects to Montenegrin entrepreneurs, and that thanks to the successful participation of Montenegrin companies in their implementation, the business community showed great interest in participating in the second EmBRACE call, to which 78 Montenegrin enterprises applied.
This event once again confirmed that Montenegrin micro and small enterprises possess the knowledge, capacity, and vision to participate equally in European programs and market flows. The presented projects demonstrated that European support, when combined with domestic initiative and regional partnerships, brings concrete and sustainable results. The Chamber of Economy of Montenegro will continue to be a reliable partner to companies in the process of preparing and implementing projects financed from European Union funds, with the aim of strengthening the competitiveness, innovativeness, and resilience of the Montenegrin economy. EmBRACE thus remains an example of how European integration can gain clear and measurable value – through new products, modern technologies, improved services, and stronger regional cooperation.