EIT Food is a leading European initiative dedicated to innovation in the food sector, aiming to strengthen sustainable practices, foster innovation, and enhance collaboration between industry, academia, and civil society. Through its programs, EIT Food supports the development of new technologies, education, and the reduction of food waste across the supply chain.
Verlab Institute, in collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the University of Sarajevo, and with the support of EIT Food, is proudly organizing the first official EIT Food event in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which consists of two main components: the Challenge Labs competition and the Awareness Event.
Challenge Labs represent a licensed EIT Food competition and, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, will focus on the prevention of food waste and food loss. Teams from across the country are invited to apply, with teams consisting of three to five members. Individuals may also apply and will be connected with other participants to form complete teams. Applications are open until November 10 via the following link.
The competition includes two challenges:
Challenge 1: Reducing waste from short shelf-life bakery products
Goal: Develop innovative, sustainable, and scalable solutions to minimize bread and pastry waste resulting from short shelf life and overproduction in bakeries, supermarkets, and households.
Focus areas: real-time freshness tracking, redistribution networks, and consumer behavior change tools.
Challenge 2: Valorizing fruit and vegetable by-products from processing chains
Goal: Create new applications or value-added products from surplus or imperfect fruits and vegetables discarded during processing and retail stages.
Focus areas: upcycling into functional foods or natural ingredients; optimizing logistics for recovery and reuse; engaging consumers and SMEs in circular food systems.
The program is organized in two phases: online preparation and an in-person finale. The online phase begins on November 12, 2025, and involves both team and individual work on idea development using the design thinking methodology, with guidance and support from mentors and experts. During the preparation phase, participants will work on segments such as market needs analysis and proto-persona creation, value proposition canvas development, impact analysis and competitor comparison, financial aspects of the idea, as well as individual consultations with mentors and iterative idea refinement prior to the final event. The finale will take place on November 20, 2025, at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the University of Sarajevo, where the best teams will be awarded and receive support for further development of their solutions.
The Awareness Event aims to present the research and innovation community in Bosnia and Herzegovina within the agrifood sector. The event will allow participants to learn about EIT Food activities and plans in the country and region, connect with key stakeholders from industry, academia, and civil society, and explore opportunities for funding and innovation. The program will feature examples of successful practices and panel discussions with leading experts, providing insight into current opportunities and challenges in the sector. The Awareness Event will take place on November 20, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the University of Sarajevo. Participation is free, with mandatory registration by November 18 via the following link.
This event represents a significant opportunity for all interested stakeholders to connect, exchange knowledge and experiences, and contribute to the development of a sustainable and innovative food system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
