Prishtina, July 2025 — A new chapter has opened for Kosovo’s small and medium-sized enterprises with the official launch of the Enterprise Europe Network Kosovo Innovation Consortium, known as EEN KosInn, a four-year programme backed by the European Union under its Single Market Programme – COSME. Beginning its operations on 1 July 2025, the initiative is coordinated by Prishtina REA in partnership with the Kosovo ICT Association (STIKK) and the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce (KCC), and is set to deliver a wide range of services aimed at boosting innovation, accelerating digital transformation, promoting sustainable business practices and connecting local companies with partners in more than 60 countries.
The formal kick-off meeting, held in Prishtina on 18 July, brought together the three partner organisations to set the strategic direction for the years ahead. Discussions focused on the adoption of internal governance mechanisms, the implementation of a rigorous quality assurance framework, and the development of a communication and visibility strategy to ensure that the project reaches as many businesses as possible. The partners also outlined a detailed roadmap built around four priority pillars: innovation, digitalisation, sustainability and internationalisation, reflecting both the needs of the Kosovar business community and the opportunities available through the global Enterprise Europe Network.
Speaking at the launch, representatives from the consortium underlined the importance of providing Kosovo’s entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools and international linkages needed to compete in an increasingly complex and competitive marketplace. They emphasised that EEN KosInn is not merely a support project, but a bridge between local ambition and global opportunity, offering tailor-made advisory services, market intelligence, access to finance, and direct connections with potential partners across Europe and beyond.
The programme’s first year is already taking shape with two major regional events that EEN KosInn will organise. In October, STIKK will organize KOSICT 2025, Kosovo’s flagship ICT and innovation conference, where it will lead thematic workshops and matchmaking sessions focused on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, green tech and smart industry solutions. Then, from 21 to 23 May 2026, Prishtina REA will organize the Balkonnect Festival 2026 in Tirana, a three-day regional gathering under the theme “Business Without Borders” that will bring together innovators, investors, policy-makers and entrepreneurs across multiple sectors including green economy, agri-innovation, fintech, smart cities and digital transformation.
Beyond events, the consortium is committed to embedding sustainability and digitalisation into the core of its advisory work. This includes helping SMEs adopt energy-efficient processes, meet recognised sustainability certification standards, and integrate advanced digital tools to enhance productivity and customer engagement. The aim is to ensure that Kosovo’s businesses are not only more competitive in the short term, but also more resilient and future-proof in the face of global economic and environmental challenges.
EEN KosInn operates as part of the world’s largest SME support network, a vast international system of over 600 partner organisations working in more than 60 countries. By aligning Kosovo’s SMEs with this network, the consortium intends to create long-term partnerships in trade, technology and research, opening new avenues for growth that were previously out of reach for many local companies.
The call now goes out to Kosovo’s entrepreneurs, both established and emerging, to engage with the programme, take part in its activities and tap into its resources. With EEN KosInn’s support, the door to European and global markets has never been more accessible, and the next four years may prove decisive in shaping a more innovative, sustainable and competitive SME sector for Kosovo.