One of the highlights of this year’s Digi Camp and Digital Skills Festival was a panel that
brought together some of Europe’s most inspiring science and technology parks. Hosted and
moderated by Innovation and Training Park (ITP) Prizren, the session sparked a lively and
insightful conversation about how tech parks are adapting and growing in today’s fast-moving
world of research, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation.
Joining the discussion were representatives from Area Science Park (Italy), Lakeside
Science & Technology Park (Austria), Kaunas Tech Park (Lithuania), and ITP Prizren
(Kosovo). The panel reflected a growing collaboration among parks connected through the
International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP), a global network
that fosters shared learning and cooperation between innovation ecosystems.
Each park brought something unique to the table.
From Italy, Area Science Park shared its experience as one of the country’s biggest and
most established research and development centers. Over the years, it has become a key
player in advancing work in biotech, clean energy, and digital technologies. But what stood
out most was how the park helps turn cutting-edge research into practical solutions,
supporting sectors like healthcare, the environment, and smart manufacturing. Their
approach connects scientists, universities, and industries in meaningful ways. They don’t just
offer labs and offices, they create a support system that helps ideas grow and deliver real
value to society.
From Austria, Lakeside Science & Technology Park showcased a model deeply rooted in
collaboration with the University of Klagenfurt. Their ecosystem is a vibrant mix of AI,
robotics, software, and smart systems. One of their most exciting initiatives is a lifelong
learning programme that offers people of all ages, from kids to grandparents, the chance to
explore technology hands-on. It’s a great example of how innovation doesn’t have to be
exclusive, it can be for everyone. Lakeside also invests heavily in robotics R&D, working
closely with businesses to bring emerging ideas to life in real-world settings.
Representing Lithuania, Kaunas Tech Park showed why it’s the largest startup and
incubation hub in the Baltics. The park hosts a wide range of early-stage companies working
in fintech, green energy, medtech, smart mobility, and beyond. What’s especially impressive
is how self-sustaining the park is, it generates its own revenue by offering services to its
tenants and reinvests it back into the ecosystem. Their structured support for startups
includes everything from prototyping labs to investor matchmaking. And it’s clearly working:
several companies that started in Kaunas have already grown into international success
stories. Their strong ties with nearby universities, including shared research projects and
professorships, also make it easier for young talent and fresh ideas to find their footing.
ITP Prizren, the event’s host, is quickly becoming a key player in the Western Balkans. Still
relatively new, it has positioned itself as Kosovo’s main center for technology,
entrepreneurship, and innovation. During the discussion, ITP showcased its role as home to
Kosovo’s first European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH), a regional resource supporting the
digital transformation of small businesses and public institutions. This milestone reflects the
park’s growing efforts to strengthen the local innovation ecosystem and align it with broader
European trends.
Beyond that, ITP is building bridges, hosting various projects, partnering with global
organizations, and creating space for people from all walks of life to come together and
innovate. It’s not just about startups; it’s about shaping a broader ecosystem where ideas
can thrive and make a real difference.
What really came through during the panel is that tech parks are much more than physical
spaces. They’re platforms for collaboration, changemakers in their regions, and drivers of
economic and social progress. A strong message echoed by all participants was the critical
role of government support, especially in areas like investing in research infrastructure and
building long-term innovation capacity. From enabling public-private partnerships to funding
R&D facilities and aligning policy with innovation goals, government engagement was seen
as essential to helping tech parks fully unlock their potential.
