The CarMen project – “Contactless Biometric Border Control for Safer and More Efficient Crossing”, funded under the Horizon Europe programme, participated in a conference with a special session by CarMen. It was presented as a best practice example at the conference “European Union Funds as a Source of Financing the Development Activities of SMEs”, held at Pan-European University “APEIRON” in Banja Luka, in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The event was organised by the Notitia Ltd., Association of Lawyers and Economists “ERK”, with the support of the Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship of the Government of Republika Srpska, and gathered SMEs, business support organisations, financial experts, and project management professionals.
Notitia Ltd, the only CarMen project partner from the Western Balkans region and co-organiser of the conference, shared insights on how participation in high-level EU security research projects can contribute to digital and social transformation, regional innovation growth, and knowledge transfer.
The CarMen project was highlighted as a successful example of interdisciplinary and cross-border cooperation, demonstrating how EU-funded programmes offer real opportunities for SMEs to grow, access funding, and strengthen their business. These aspects are particularly relevant for SMEs in digital and technology sectors, offering them access to funding, expertise, and new markets.
The conference underlined that EU funds are more than financial instruments, they are powerful tools for strategic collaboration, capacity building, and the application of European standards, paving the way for long-term, sustainable development across the region.