What role could honeybees play in mine waste monitoring? Could AI-driven virtual power plant become a reality in Serbia? The Slovak Challenge Fund proudly announces the selection of another six projects that will put their ideas to the test.
Since 2020, the Slovak Challenge Fund (SCF) has supported the implementation of 11 innovation projects in Moldova and Northern Macedonia. Six new ideas will enlarge the SCF family and try to make an innovative impact in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. In the last call, these two countries were added to the eligible countries where SCF projects can be implemented.
With 31 applications received and 6 initiatives selected, this has been one of the most successful calls for proposals in the Slovak Challenge Fund history. “It is very positive that the Slovak private sector is willing to engage in development cooperation and share its innovative know-how. We are also glad that we have the tools to support especially innovations, in which we see a great perspective for regional development, especially in areas of the world where it is very necessary. At the same time, it is a helping hand for the Slovak business community, providing support for testing their new ideas in various environments or opening new markets for their innovative solutions”, said Maros Mitrik from the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
Slovak Challenge Fund is much more than just financial support. By asking innovators to engage local partners, the fund facilitates networking opportunities as well as knowledge exchange. The six new initiatives that aim to make a positive change range from digitization and AI to bio-decontamination.
Projects that push the boundaries of conventional thinking
Belabela Technology tries to minimize the work of beekeepers and reduce the cost of treating bee colonies. By testing a stainless-steel beehive with the hyperthermic system, the solution aims to solve the problem with parasites that destroy bees. The project is implemented in Serbia.
BioX Technologies will present a new method of improving the environment by using aquatic microalgae to collect heavy metals from water and soil. The benefit of this method is the reduction of toxic metals in contaminated waters or soils at various locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
DODO Solutions focuses on digitization of museum exposition and all information through QR technology. This solution offers a user-friendly exposition availability for visitors and solves the problem of access to information and flexible manageable information in museums in Sarajevo.
ENVIS will analyze samples from local beekeepers to see whether analysis of bee products could provide an inexpensive alternative to costly traditional environmental monitoring of mine wastes in Serbia and elsewhere.
MicroPoll will use innovative technologies in the fight against global drought. MicroPoll will test their new model of small portable wastewater treatment plants that can be used in households and small operations. This innovation enables better, easier and less expensive water management, especially for smaller users.
PowereX will evaluate readiness of the electricity network and electricity market for AI-driven virtual power plants (VPPs) in Serbia. They will apply AI and algebraic optimization to measure and predict production and consumption of energy sources.
All supported solutions contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About
Slovak Challenge Fund (SCF) is financed by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic and implemented by UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub. It is available for various innovations, including products, services, programming approaches, operational changes, financial, market or technology-driven innovations. The financial support provided by SCF ranges between USD 20,000 and 40,000 per project.
More information: https://slovakchallengefund.org/.
In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme
