Maker initiative conference in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Published at: September 19th 2024
The Association FabLab Bosnia and Herzegovina organized the founding conference of the Maker initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which took place on March 4, 2022, at the premises of Obala Meeting Point in Sarajevo. The conference was opened via video link by Lucia Becová, PR of the International Visegrad Fund, while Patrik Turošík, Deputy Ambassador of Slovakia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, greeted attendees in the hall.
Makers from the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary personally shared their experiences with the Maker movement in their respective countries on the first panel at the conference. Foreign guests highlighted the potential of such a project: an open mindset and willingness to share knowledge, skills, necessary tools, and materials are crucial in creating a society capable of generating new values. David Pap, Executive Director of FabLab Budapest, recalled his impressions of encountering the Maker movement in Barcelona:
"I was fascinated by their free-thinking approach! Professors, students, and all other people had access to and the opportunity to learn and use innovative technology, space, and the knowledge of others. Everyone was part of one community, everyone shared common interests, and in that way, they created better solutions."
The second panel focused on expanding and strengthening the B2B and B2C networks in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His Excellency Olav Reinertsen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Bosnia and Herzegovina, introduced attendees to the work of the Norway BiH Business Association project. Mr. Amir Hujić from the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina presented the results achieved so far by the Chamber through the Enterprise Europe Network project in terms of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. Mr. Edin Škaljić, President of the FabLab Association, announced the next important event for strengthening the Maker initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina – MakerFaire Sarajevo, May 28-29, 2022, at the Youth Center and Skenderija Square, where numerous makers, innovators, creators, and professionals from Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the region and beyond, will have the opportunity to present their work to a wider audience.
The third panel presented the most important part of the conference – the strategy and action plan of the Maker initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was discussed by university professors from Tuzla, Zenica, and Sarajevo, representatives of informal education, innovation centers, and technological parks from various parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Professor Melika Husić-Mehmedović from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Sarajevo emphasized the importance of connecting makers with business and market experts and how the success of the Maker strategy requires support from three elements within the community: the academic community where business ideas originate, the business community where these ideas will be applied, and institutional support.
Denis Bećirović, Senior Assistant at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tuzla, stated that the Maker initiative represents a good step towards establishing a network that will operate throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina and unite young intellectual forces, concentrating intellectual capital in the service of economic development and increasing GDP. Anes Hadžiomerović, President of the Mostar Center for Education, Robotics, Innovation, and Technology, emphasized the importance of the Maker initiative and networking of participants.
"In this way, it is possible to respond to any shortcomings or needs that centers, technological parks, companies, or institutions have for certain products, contacts, and they will easily establish cooperation," said Hadžiomerović.
Bojan Šošić, Member of the Presidency of the Association of Independent Intellectuals Circle 99 and psychologist, stated that such an initiative deserves to be much more recognized in our country as an extremely positive example of "taking matters into one's own hands."
In addition to the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, representatives of several foreign embassies in our country and relevant ministries attended the conference. Minister of Economy of Sarajevo Canton, Adnan Delić, emphasized the importance of connecting people and their knowledge to create innovations, new technologies, and ideas.
Edin Škaljić, on behalf of the FabLab Association, which stands behind the organization of this event, said that this conference is just the first in a series of activities planned for the coming period in terms of strengthening the Maker initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"Our goal is to join forces with all levels, formal and informal education, and to encourage the future of the maker movement," Škaljić concluded.
The project "Establishing the Maker Movement in Bosnia and Herzegovina and strengthening it in the Visegrad region" is supported by the International Visegrad Fund and implemented by FabLab Bosnia and Herzegovina in cooperation with partner organizations Robisz.To (Poland), FabLab Budapest (Hungary), AGNICOLI (Slovakia), Make more (Czech Republic).
The conference was supported by QSS, 3D Republic, Web studio, and media partners BHRT - Radio Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Radio M, and the Federal News Agency - FENA.