Public Call - GovTech

In accordance with the provisions of the Law on Innovation Activity (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No. 129/2021), the Law on the Budget of the Republic of Serbia for 2025 (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No. 94/2024), and the Program for the Allocation and Use of Funds for Subsidies to Public Non-Financial Enterprises and Organizations for 2025, which forms an integral part of the Conclusion of the Government of the Republic of Serbia No. 05: 401-12938/2024 of December 24, 2024,

The Innovation Fund

announces the

Public Call for the Second Phase of the GovTech Program

SELECTION OF SOLUTIONS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR CHALLENGES

 

Program Objectives

The Innovation Fund (hereinafter: the Fund) implements the GovTech Program to encourage the public sector in the Republic of Serbia to use innovative technological solutions to address challenges encountered in its operations and in the provision of services to citizens.

The aim of this program is to accelerate the digital transformation of the public sector and “open the door” to disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things, sensors, virtual reality, mixed reality, the metaverse, 3D printing, robotics, robotic process automation (RPA), drones, and others. In this way, the program supports the application of new technologies in key areas of the public sector, such as healthcare, education, transport and mobility, smart cities, energy, agriculture, water management, environmental protection, finance, social protection, justice and security, tourism, culture, improvement of back-office processes in public administration, inclusion, and accessibility.

This approach enhances the provision of public services by increasing efficiency and reducing costs, supported by solutions offered by innovative entities.

The Fund, in cooperation with its partner network, implemented the first phase of the program, and the resulting List of Challenges is available at the link.

This public call refers to the second phase of the program, in which companies are invited to submit applications containing clearly defined innovative solutions for the selected public sector challenges. The minimum expected outcome is a pilot/prototype/minimum viable product produced after the completion of development activities, representing a functional, applicable solution to the challenge of the public sector institution.

A total of 125,000,000 RSD has been allocated from the Budget of the Republic of Serbia for the implementation of this program, while the maximum amount of funding that the Fund may award per solution is:

  • Up to 14,000,000 RSD (~120,000 EUR) for the development of a new solution not currently available on the market; and
  • Up to 7,000,000 RSD (~60,000 EUR) for adapting an existing solution to the needs of the public sector institution.

Who Can Apply?

The Applicant must be a micro, small, or medium-sized company, majority privately owned, and established in Serbia.

A company that is an affiliated entity of a large enterprise (domestic or foreign) or that is more than 10% owned by a large enterprise (domestic or foreign) is NOT eligible to apply for the GovTech Program.

Each Applicant may submit only one Application under this public call.

Required Documentation

The following documents must be submitted with the Application:

  • Solution Proposal;
  • Completed and signed Statement of the Applicant on the accuracy and truthfulness of data and compliance with the conditions of the GovTech Program;
  • Completed Budget Form;
  • Solution Presentation in free format, prepared according to instructions;
  • Completed Environmental Screening Questionnaire (ESQ);
  • CVs of key team members involved in solving the challenge (up to 5, in free format).

Evaluation of Applications

Applications will be evaluated by representatives of the public sector institutions for which the solution is proposed, as well as by the Fund’s independent Expert Commission. Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

  • Qualifications of the proposed team and ability to implement the solution – up to 4 points
  • Usefulness of the proposed solution – up to 4 points
  • Level of innovation – up to 4 points
  • Adequacy of the implementation methodology relative to the resources of the public sector institution – up to 4 points
  • Use of funds and budget adequacy – up to 4 points
  • Risk management – up to 4 points
  • Potential for replication in other similar systems (globally, in the EU, or nationally) – up to 4 points

Each application may receive a maximum of 28 points. All Applications receiving 75% or more of the total score (21 points or more) will be shortlisted. Applicants who are shortlisted will present their proposed solutions in person before the commission.

Applicants will be informed of the final selection decision by email.

Duration of the Public Call

The public call is open from November 20, 2025, until January 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM.

Submission of Applications

Applications must be submitted electronically in Serbian language via the Fund’s application portal.

Applications must be submitted using predefined forms, and the complete set of required documentation is available at the link.