The self-sustainability model of the Friuli Innovazione Research and Technology Transfer Center is also noted abroad, where it is taken as an example of the virtuous uniqueness of a non-profit structure and self-financing, mainly by obtaining contributions through European, national competitive schemes. or regional, in which it participates by presenting research and innovation projects and then making available to the territory - mainly SMEs - services, experiences and skills.

In order to study this winning business model, a delegation of the Banja Luka University led by Andjela Pepic, manager of the Technology Transfer area and member of the COST - European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research - arrived at Friuli Innovazione from Bosnia Herzegovina. aimed at the exchange of practical information on the administrative, financial and legal aspects of the management of research and innovation projects.

Welcomed by the director of Friuli Innovazione Fabio Feruglio and by the project manager Saverio D'Eredità, Andjela Pepic and his staff have had the opportunity to discuss the issues of European projects, technology transfer activities, consulting services to businesses and actions that Friuli Innovation plays in favor of the territory.
With an operating model that remains unique in the panorama of the regional and national scientific parks, Friuli Innovazione carries out numerous activities aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the region: from the management of the scientific and technological park of Udine, which has about 40 establishments, to the management of the certified business incubator, which has supported the birth of about sixty startups and created more than 200 jobs.

"There are many complementarities that can be sought between the respective territories - said Andjela Pepic - especially in areas such as mechanics, where there are many opportunities for cooperation with companies and innovation centers and we would like to deepen them. Banja Luka has been for many years an excellence in mechanical engineering and today many companies, especially Austrian and German, but also Italian, are becoming interested in our territory. From the point of view of access to European funding - continued Pepic - the experience gained by Friuli Innovazione is extremely important and represents an example of sustainability and quality. In this sense it would be extremely important for us to be able to work on the development of joint projects, especially for the birth and growth of new companies ".