How ready are SMEs in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the energy transition? What obstacles hold them back, and what motivates them to engage in this process? Are there available services and support that can help them? These and other important questions are addressed in a new study conducted under the DESET project (Digitally Enabled Sustainable Energy Transition of Manufacturing SMEs).

The research was carried out from May 29 to June 13, 2025, collecting responses from 85 companies and 15 consulting organizations/experts. The study aimed to uncover the current state of energy management in manufacturing SMEs and to identify key challenges and potential intervention points. Special attention was given to the role of digital tools and standards such as ISO 50001 and ISO 14001 in improving energy efficiency.

The publication provides valuable insights for companies themselves, service providers, policymakers, and all stakeholders working on the development of a sustainable and competitive private sector in BiH.

The publication with the research findings can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/4o80Wlo

The DESET project is implemented by DIH IDEMO, which consists of EDA – the Enterprise Development Agency as the lead partner, together with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Banja Luka, the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Srpska, the Banja Luka Innovation Center, and the Development Agency of the Republic of Srpska.

The DESET project is implemented with financial support from the European Union and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ), under the EU Private Sector Development initiative – EU4PSD. EU4PSD is part of the broader GIZ SEDEP program, which is additionally funded by the Swiss Government.