Novi Sad – The 4th Butterfly Innovation Forum 2025, organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and held on 19-20 November in Novi Sad, has successfully concluded on a high note. The event, co-funded by the European Union, brought together policymakers, innovators, start-up founders, and entrepreneurs from across the Western Balkans, providing a vibrant platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.

In his opening address, Amer Kapetanović, RCC Secretary General, highlighted the importance of regional innovation and cooperation. “These initiatives show that while challenges remain, our region is moving decisively forward. We are laying the foundations for a resilient and competitive Western Balkans. With your engagement, your ideas, and your contributions, we can ensure that the region keeps pace with innovation and becomes a destination for it,” said Kapetanović, underscoring that success will depend on collaborative efforts across the region.

Rastislav Stojsavljević, speaking on behalf of Serbia’s Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, thanked the RCC and the EU for their ongoing support. He noted that events like the Butterfly Innovation Forum and Award help address the region’s innovation needs and opportunities, and he reaffirmed Serbia’s dedication to advancing innovation and technological development.

Likewise, Richard Maša, Head of Operations at the EU Delegation to Serbia, stressed that innovation is key to economic growth, competitiveness, and the future of youth in the Western Balkans. Maša reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to support the region’s innovative endeavours and commended the RCC for this initiative, emphasizing the EU’s partnership in driving regional innovation forward.

Throughout the Forum, participants engaged in insightful panels and talks on cutting-edge topics. One session examined the current state of artificial intelligence in the region, separating hype from reality, and discussed how AI growth can be harnessed for development. Another panel shone a spotlight on the gaming industry, illustrating its rise as a vibrant driver of innovation and digital economy growth in the Western Balkans. Speakers also explored the expansion of digital innovation hubs as key enablers of technology collaboration and entrepreneurship across the region. In a deep-tech discussion, experts debated whether the Western Balkans’ emerging deep-tech sector is poised to become a new engine of growth or if it remains an untapped opportunity. These discussions showcased successful regional tech initiatives and offered practical insights, aligning with the Forum’s focus on the Western Balkans’ start-up ecosystem evolution.

The Butterfly Innovation Forum 2025 concluded on an optimistic, forward-looking note. Organisers and participants alike agreed that the knowledge shared and connections forged at the Forum will fuel greater collaboration and innovation across the region. Continued regional cooperation, as championed during the forum, was highlighted as crucial for turning creative ideas into sustainable businesses and for keeping the Western Balkans competitive in the global innovation landscape. The event’s success reaffirmed the value of forums like this in uniting diverse stakeholders and driving the region’s digital and green transitions. As the Western Balkans moves ahead, the momentum generated by the Butterfly Innovation Forum 2025 is set to bolster ongoing initiatives and inspire new partnerships, ensuring that regional innovation progress continues well into the future.

The Forum also featured the 4th Butterfly Innovation Award ceremony, held the night before, which celebrated outstanding regional innovators contributing to sustainable and digital growth.

More info about the Award

More info about the Forum