Between March 17 and 19, 2026, the regional forum FINNO 2026 – Access to Finance Forum took place in Jahorina (Bosnia and Herzegovina), bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, financial institutions, and partners of the Enterprise Europe Network from Southeast Europe.
The event was aimed at discussing one of the key challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): how to improve access to finance and support the growth of innovative companies and startups in the region.
Key themes of the forum
The event program included a series of panel discussions, workshops, and meetings that focused on:
financial instruments currently available to SMEs (loans, guarantees, blended finance),
financing innovation and business growth – from idea to market expansion,
opportunities within the Horizon Europe program and combining grants with other financial instruments,
investment readiness of companies and investor expectations.
Special emphasis was also placed on regional challenges, such as the fragmentation of information regarding funding, limited access to resources, and the need for a stronger role for support organizations.
Active participation of Slovenian companies
The event also featured practical workshops, including a workshop on digital transformation in manufacturing, which saw the participation of several Slovenian companies – INEA, DIGITEH, Askit d.o.o., Tri Sense, DIH Slovenia. It offered concrete insights into implementing digital solutions and overcoming challenges in the transformation of production processes.
The event also included numerous B2B and B2F meetings, which allowed companies to have direct contact with investors, financial institutions, and potential business partners.
The role of the Enterprise Europe Network
An important part of the program was also dedicated to the role of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) as a connecting link between companies and financial institutions. Network partners from the region discussed how EEN can even more effectively support companies in accessing financing, internationalization, and innovation.
The event was also attended by EEN Slovenia, which actively contributes to connecting Slovenian companies with the international environment and helps them in finding partners, accessing financing, and participating in European programs. Participation in the FINNO 2026 forum thus further strengthens the role of EEN Slovenia as an important partner in the regional innovation ecosystem.
