Interreg IPA CBC Croatia – Serbia 2021 – 2027
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The new Programme represents the continuation of the successful cooperation between the two countries.
The Programme mission, beside strengthening the social, economic and territorial development of the cross-border area, is to encourage and support cross-border cooperation to make the area more resilient to common challenges. These challenges include among others economic transition processes, climate change, and the long-term socioeconomic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Programme will help to address main regional imbalances and contribute to reducing disparities in the development of the involved regions and will increase the capacity of the programme area to recover from the economic crisis.
Strategic Programme objective is sustainable development of programme area through smart, green and socially innovative projects through the implementation of joint projects that will be supported within the framework of three selected EU policy objectives: Smarter Europe, Greener Europe and More social Europe.
The Programme results will contribute to the achievement of the goals set by the European Green Plan, which are emphasized by the United Nations Programme on Sustainable Development until 2030. The Programme is directly linked to the European Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) and the European Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR).
This Programme is also in line with the general objective of IPA III, which is to support beneficiaries in adopting and implementing the political, institutional, legal, administrative, social, and economic reforms required by these beneficiaries in order to be in line with the values of the Union.
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CySafe SmartMob
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Project name: Boosting Research and Innovation Capacities in Cybersecurity-oriented and Functional Safety-oriented Smart Mobility (CySafe SmartMob)
Call: 2nd Call for Proposals Interreg IPA VI-A Croatia – Serbia
Programme priority: 1 – Cooperating for smarter programme area
Specific objective: RSO1.1 – Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
Project ID: HR-RS00269
Lead partner: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology Osijek (FERIT)
Project coordinator: prof. dr Mario Vranješ (FERIT)
Project partner: University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences (FTN)
Contact: prof. dr Ivan Kaštelan
Project budget: € 822.934,06
EU IPA III CBC Co-financing: € 699.493,95
Implementation period: 1 Feb 2026 – 31 Jan 2028
Project summary:
COMMON CHALLENGES: (1) There exist unstable employment and economic migrations, driven by a lack of well-paid jobs that require advanced skills. (2) While many companies in the rapidly growing smart mobility (SM) sector have established branches in the cross-border (CB) area, a significant skills gap exists between the needs of the companies and the existing workforce, further exacerbating the employment challenges. The growing SM sector, a priority in regional smart specialization strategies, based on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven software-defined vehicles (SDVs), presents a significant opportunity. (3) However, the development of companies in the CB area in that field is limited due to the lack of adequate research and engineering staff with expertise in cybersecurity (CS) and functional safety (FS) for AI-based SM, thus limiting the region’s ability to fully capitalize on the SM opportunity. Rapid technological progress has raised critical CS&FS concerns in SM. Intelligent SM solutions rely on advanced technologies: AI, blockchain, big data, cloud computing, IoT, and robotics, primarily within SDVs. (4) FERIT and FTN face limitations in their current infrastructure and curricula to fully address the growing demand for specific expertise in CS&FS for AI-based SM. This gap limits their ability to provide adequate R&D support for companies in the region and to train a workforce equipped with the necessary skills.
OVERALL OBJECTIVE & CHANGE: The project utilizes complementary strengths of FERIT and FTN to enhance the program area’s research, innovation, and education capabilities in CS&FS for AI-based SM. Through the joint establishment of shared Living Labs (LLs) at FERIT and FTN, the development of new, cutting-edge research, study, and lifelong learning programs (LLP), and the strategic capitalizing on the CB Cybersecurity and Functional Safety Research & Innovation Network, we will foster CB knowledge sharing and collaborative research. This comprehensive approach will equip researchers, students, and industry partners from the CB area with the specialized expertise needed to develop safe and secure SM solutions. Ultimately, the project will transform the CB region into a recognized hub for CS&FS innovation in AI-based SM, driving sustainable economic growth and enabling the responsible adoption of advanced technologies in SM.
MAIN OUTPUTS & BENEFITS: Outputs: (1) One CB Cybersecurity and Functional Safety Research & Innovation Network and two local CS&FS R&I Networks, with included appropriate LLs; (2) developed and delivered updated research program and updated and innovative study program; (3) developed and delivered curriculum for lifelong learning for enhanced innovation-oriented research; all three for the area of CS&FS-oriented AI-based SM. Through the CB Network and its LLs, FERIT and FTN research staff will significantly improve their R&I capacities thanks to new infrastructure and expertise oriented to technology transfer. Faculties will incorporate these advancements into existing study programs, making them more competitive and attractive to prospective students and companies. Students will gain access to education and research opportunities in a high-demand industry. Researchers and engineers from companies will enhance their R&D capabilities through LLP workshops, boosting their competitiveness in the job market. This will lead to companies in the CB area becoming more competitive and the entire program area becoming more attractive for investments. The general public will benefit from innovative solutions to SM challenges developed by researchers within the network, resulting in a safer and more pleasant environment.
CBC APPROACH: The CBC approach between FERIT and FTN is essential for achieving the project’s objectives and results in developing solutions for CS&FS-oriented AI-based SM. The importance of this cooperation is demonstrated by the complementary expertise and resources of both partners when combined, creating a synergy that cannot be achieved individually. The synergy between FERIT’s SW expertise and FTN’s HW expertise is essential to the project’s success, enabling comprehensive SM research and education. This collaboration enables the establishment of a unique, CB network for R&I that individual institutions could not support alone.
NOVELTY: The project introduces a novel approach by establishing the CB CS&FS Research & Innovation Network, overcoming the limitations of expensive equipment and inaccessible knowledge that currently restrict research and teaching creativity at FERIT and FTN. By pooling resources through the CB Network, FERIT and FTN will cultivate research, innovation, and education capacities that are unattainable on their own. This collaboration will enable cutting-edge research, educate future professionals, and create a self-sustaining business environment for CF&FS SM solutions, generating a far greater impact than individual efforts.
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AI-Assisted Monitoring and Management of Invasive Plant Species in Cross- Border Region
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The project acronym: Ainspec
The project name: AI-Assisted Monitoring and Management of Invasive Plant Species in Cross-Border Region
Project ID: HR-RS00236
Call: 2nd Call for ProposalsInterreg VI-A IPA Programme Croatia-Serbia2021-2027
Programme priority: 1 – Cooperating for smarter programme area
Specific objective: RSO1.1 – Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
Lead partner:Faculty of Technical Sciences University of Novi Sad
Project manager: prof dr Jelena Radić (FTN)
Projectpartners: Public Enterprise “Vojvodinašume” Petrovaradin, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology Osijek and Public institution for the management of protected areas of nature of Vukovar-Srijem County
Project budget: €473.192,00
EU IPA III CBC Co-financing: €402.213,20
Period of realization: 15.01.2026 – 14.01.2028
Project webpage: https://ainspec.ferit.hr/
Project summary:
Invasive plant species (IPS) pose one of the most significant ecological and economic challenges in the management of protected areas along the cross-border region. Their rapid spread threatens native plant species and other biodiversity, disrupts ecosystems, and increases management costs for conservation authorities. Traditional monitoring and control methods are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often ineffective in detecting IPS at an early stage. Additionally, current approaches to preventing the spread of IPS lack precision, leading to unintended environmental consequences.
This project directly addresses these challenges by introducing an AI-supported drone-driven enhanced spectrum sensing system for IPS detection and a drone-based spraying solution for targeted chemical treatment. By integrating innovative technologies, the project aims to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability of IPS management in protected areas in the cross-border region.
The project’s main objective is to develop and implement an advanced, technology-driven approach to IPS early detection andprecise,targeted treatment, enabling conservation authorities to respond more effectively to the threatand thereby strengthen their capacities. Special emphasis was placed on cross-border cooperation, as invasive plant species spread independently of administrative borders and a coordinated (common) response is crucial for their effective suppression.
The main planned project activities and expected results are as follows:
- development of an AI-supported, drone-driven enhanced spectrum-sensing system for early IPS detection;
- mapping and monitoring invasive plant species in the protected areas of the Special Nature Reserve “Obedska bara” and the ecological network area “Sava nizvodnoodHruščice – HR2001311”;
- applying the drone-based system for the precise chemical treatment of invasive plant species;
- conducting pilot testing and field implementation in selected protected areas to assess the effectiveness of the new solutions;
- training employees of protected area management institutions to use drones and AI tools;
- defining training programs and guidelines for protected area management institutions and environmental protection agencies on how to integrate advanced technologies into invasive plant species management;
- preparing recommendations for decision-makers to support the adoption of advanced invasive plant species control and management strategies, as well as the dissemination of project results;
- fostering cross-border collaboration to develop and share innovative solutions, as well as strengthening the capacity of partner institutions.
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