Introducing

SCIENTIFIC-TECHNOLOGICAL PARK “ZVEZDARA” AN NEW SERBIAN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Silicon Valley in Zvezdara Forest
In the business incubator on Zvezdara hill, at the Scientific-Technological Park, the conditions resemble those in American companies “Apple” and “Google”. Everything is designed in such a way to stimulate development of economy based on knowledge and revive the ties between economy and universities. Within this framework, defined in the government’s Strategy of scientific and technological development of Serbia from 2010 to 2015, the Project Management Unit also operates. A new opportunity has just been presented for those who are interested secure their space in this center

By: Dragan Veličković
Photographs: Dragan Bosnić

The idea to build a large Scientific-Technological Park on the outskirts of the Zvezdara Forest, which would represent a center of scientific innovative development for the economy of that time, appeared more than twenty years ago. Construction of the first buildings within the part started already in 1989. However, because of disintegration of the country, the project was suspended shortly afterwards. Five buildings were built in the first phase, but the construction was interrupted after the completion of concrete works. Semi-finished buildings were thus covered by overgrown weeds, and the project was practically forgotten until 2011. Then they concluded that with relatively little financial resources the buildings could be refitted for their original purpose. The construction was resumed with funds obtained from the loan of the European Investment Bank. Realization of this project was defined in the agreement on financing and managing the construction of Scientific-Technological Park “Zvezdara” between JUP “Research and Development” and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development. In only two years, the Project Management Unit (JUP) built the park.

CONNECTING SCIENCE AND ECONOMY

Scientific-Technological Park “Zvezdara” is conceived as an incubator for companies that are involved in development of ideas and their technological application. The goal is to stimulate development of economy based on knowledge and to revive the ties between the economy and universities. The building is designed as an open-space office facility. The Scientific-Technological Park should become a self-sustainable center based on knowledge and new technologies, in accordance with the latest scientific-technological achievements in the public sector. It is also the way to an increased number of newly employed people with high education who will remain in Serbia.
In close connection with universities and the rest of the scientific communities, the Scientific-Technological Park “Zvezdara” should provide infrastructure support to companies based on innovations that are results of scientific research, as well as on realization of joint projects between scientists and interested companies.
Complex of the Scientific-Technological Park “Zvezdara” consists of five modular buildings, common entrance lobby and connective structures and gangways that connect modular buildings. Total surface area of the complex is about 14,000 square meters, of which office space occupies 8,000 square meters.
This magnificent building is characterized by the standard open-space design, possibility to partition the space as requested by the client, highest international standards of design and quality, suspended ceilings with smart lighting, IT support, centralized air-conditioning, ventilation and heating system, natural light in the business area...

PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT

The government of Serbia founded the Project Management Unit (JUP) as a support to the Project “Research and Development in Public Sector”, pursuant to financial agreement with the European Investment Bank from March 2010. By adopting the Strategy of Scientific and Technological Development of Serbia from 2010 to 2015, the government initiated investment in scientific and technological infrastructure. Funds in the amount of about 400 million Euros were secured through financial agreements with the European Investment Bank, Council of Europe Development Bank, grant from the European Union (IPA) and through budgetary funds on the state, provincial and local level.
The goal of this project is to improve the scientific-technological infrastructure of Serbia and raise it to a level that is acceptable for the European Union. The project implies construction of modern scientific-technological buildings, revitalization of the existing infrastructure for scientific-research activities in faculties and institutes, as well as purchase of capital equipment and consumables for scientific-research activities and improvement of scientific potentials. One of more important segments of the project also includes construction of apartments for young scientists.
In addition to Scientific-Technological Park “Zvezdara” and apartments for young scientists in Block 32 in New Belgrade, construction of numerous infrastructure buildings was also completed (or the works are in the final stage), as well as other projects relevant for the Republic of Serbia.
In addition to managing the projects of construction of scientific infrastructure, JUP also implements the Program of modernization of schools and Regional housing program.

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Lease
In December 2014, another open call was published for further lease of commercial space in Scientific-Technological Park “Zvezdara”. Such open calls were also published in February and May, and after them four preliminary agreements on lease of business premises were signed. The price of lease is determined in public auctions, and the initial price is defined based on the reference price for the lease of business premises defined in the decision of the municipality of Zvezdara.

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Tenants
Both local and foreign legal entities have the right to lease: institutes of higher education, scientific-research and innovation organizations, high-technology and medium-technology companies that are involved in scientific, research-development or production activity (including start up and spin-off companies)... The goal is also to achieve their connection sin the space of Scientific-Technological Park “Zvezdara”, primarily in applying new technologies, creating and placement of new products and services in the market.