The Chamber of Commerce of ZDC – project partner – Interreg Euro-MED Call 8

The Chamber of Commerce of Zenica-Doboj Canton (CC ZDC) is an independent, non-profit business support organisation representing companies and economic actors across Zenica-Doboj Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina), one of the country’s major industrial and manufacturing regions. Under Interreg Euro-MED Call 8, CC ZDC is interested exclusively in participating as an IPA Project Partner.
CC ZDC can act as a territorial implementation and pilot partner, connecting project solutions with companies, public authorities, public utilities, academia, educational institutions and local communities. Our particular added value is our capacity to transform project concepts into concrete territorial activities by identifying suitable companies and institutions, mobilising end-users, supporting real-life testing and connecting successful solutions with regional and local decision-makers for further uptake.

OUR POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO CALL 8
Innovative Sustainable Economy – primary field of interest

CC ZDC is particularly interested in projects addressing pollution reduction, circular economy and resource efficiency, in line with the specific topics of Call 8. Zenica-Doboj Canton has a strong industrial and manufacturing base and a diverse SME sector, including construction, metal-processing, manufacturing and agri-food activities.
CC ZDC can support the identification and mobilisation of companies and other end-users for pilot activities related to air-pollution reduction in the construction sector, water-pollution reduction and water efficiency in the agri-food sector, and solutions addressing plastic pollution of water. Our role can include territorial and business needs assessment, recruitment of pilot participants, coordination with relevant institutions, support to real-life testing, capacity building, dissemination and promotion of successful solutions among businesses.

Green Living Areas
CC ZDC is interested in projects connecting territorial resilience with sustainable economic development, particularly resilient local food systems, urban and peri-urban agriculture, green and digital solutions, skills development and participatory approaches involving businesses and local communities.
The Chamber can provide a bridge between companies and entrepreneurs, municipalities, public institutions, academia and other stakeholders. Where specific sectoral expertise is required, CC ZDC can facilitate cooperation with competent regional and local institutions.

Natural Heritage
CC ZDC can contribute to projects in which biodiversity protection or ecosystem restoration requires strong involvement of businesses, municipalities, public institutions and local communities. Our contribution can focus particularly on stakeholder mobilisation, business involvement, capacity building, communication, replication, policy dialogue and links between environmental protection and sustainable local economic development.

ZENICA-DOBOJ CANTON AS A PILOT TERRITORY
Zenica-Doboj Canton offers a diverse environment for real-life pilot testing, combining a strong industrial and manufacturing economy, SMEs, urban and rural areas, agri-food activities, public utilities, local authorities, educational and research institutions and communities facing concrete green-transition and environmental challenges.
CC ZDC can help identify suitable pilot locations, companies, institutions and end-users according to the needs of a project and can facilitate cooperation between technical/project partners and relevant actors in the territory.

WHAT CC ZDC CAN DELIVER IN A PROJECT
• identification and mobilisation of suitable companies, institutions, pilot actors and end-users;
• territorial and business-sector mapping, needs assessment and data collection;
• development, coordination and implementation of territorial pilot actions and demonstrations;
• transfer, adaptation and real-life testing of innovative solutions and good practices;
• engagement of SMEs and support for business uptake of tested solutions;
• organisation of training, workshops, peer-learning activities and green/digital skills development;
• cooperation with public authorities and support for policy and practice uptake;
• communication, dissemination, capitalization, replication and transfer of project results.

INSTITUTIONAL NETWORK AND ASSOCIATED PARTNERS
CC ZDC has a signed Memorandum of Cooperation with the Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton, covering eight fields of cooperation, very good cooperation with the University of Zenica, and established cooperation with all cities and municipalities in Zenica-Doboj Canton.
Depending on the project topic and the interest of the respective institutions, CC ZDC can facilitate the involvement of relevant Associated Partners, including regional ministries and institutions, cities and municipalities, public utilities, educational and research institutions and other competent organisations. Through its regular activities, CC ZDC also maintains direct links with companies and other economic actors throughout the Canton.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND CAPACITY
CC ZDC has more than 15 years of project implementation experience and is currently involved in two Interreg projects: LEEWAY – Interreg Europe 2021–2027, addressing energy transition and policy learning, and SteelCityZen – Interreg Danube Region Programme 2021–2027, addressing transformation and resilience of industrial territories.
Our broader project portfolio includes activities related to environmental protection, waste management and public utilities, green transformation and skills, digitalisation, employment, vocational education and business development. Since 2024, CC ZDC has operated a Digitalization Office, strengthening our capacity to support digital transition and innovation among regional companies.
For Call 8, CC ZDC is open to taking responsibility for clearly defined project activities or Work Package tasks related to pilot implementation, business and stakeholder engagement, capacity building, territorial analysis, communication and capitalization, replication and uptake of project results.