22.02.2016

Request for offers: Baseline Study Research on the Use of Technology by the Tourism Businesses

Request for offers: baseline study research on the use of technology by the tourism businesses for the project funded by the European Union “Harnessing innovation and entrepreneurship in the border region of Kosovo and Montenegro, CBC program Kosovo-Montenegro”.

Kosovo Association for Information and Communication Technology (STIKK) and Eye of Vision (SiV) are seeking to engage a Baseline Study Research Consultant/Company for the EU financed project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of KS and MNE project”.

Therefore, attached please find the detailed Terms of References for the scope of work of the Baseline Study Research.

The deadline for submitting your application (including your work portfolio and proposal) is on: 29/02/2016. The application needs to be send at [email protected]

Selection criteria are based on work experience, time of implementation, and creativity. If you have additional questions or comments, please contact us via e-mail.

Looking forward to your applications.
This study research is financed by the European Union, managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo.

CBC 01 – ToR of Baseline Study Research: https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/CBC01_-_ToR_of_baseline_study_research_consultancy.pdf

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19.02.2016

CBC Innovation Hub presented in Balkans and Black Sea ICT Clusters

On Thursday (18.02.2016), Kosovo Association of Information and Communication Technology (STIKK) staff attended the Balkans and Black Sea ICT Clusters, where they presented the European Union’s funded project “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of KS and MNE, CBC Programme Kosovo-Montenegro”.

Consequently, STIKK’s staff had the opportunity to explain project’s objectives specifically.

The objectives of the project are: to contribute to sustainable economic development by fostering innovation & entrepreneurship in the tourism industry; increase welfare by generating business opportunities and employability; increase opportunities for better utilization of local resources.

The Balkans and Black Sea ICT Clusters brings together regional partners working on various sectors of ICT, where networking opportunities have tendency to grow. Therefore, participation of STIKK in the Balkans and Black Sea ICT Clusters provides a positive impact in a long-term.

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19.02.2016

Memorandum of Understanding signed for the CBC Innovation Hub

Together with the Deputy Mayor of Istog, Lulzim Blakaj, Kosovo Association of Information and Communication Technology (STIKK) and Syri i Vizionit (SiV) signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday (16.02.2016) for the “Harnessing innovation & entrepreneurship in cross-border region of KS and MNE, CBC Programme Kosovo-Montenegro” project – funded by European Union.

The project intends to focus in enhancing and digitalizing the tourism businesses. Consequently, this project will create opportunities for local youth, businesses and entrepreneurs to advance their products/services.

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03.02.2016

The award ceremony for projects financed under the IPA I CBC MNE – KS program

On 02/02/2016, STIKK jointly with partner Eye of Vision from Peja, participated in the ceremonial event organized by EU for awarding the winning projects of the IPA I CBC Montenegro – Kosovo program.

Part of the ceremony were various organizations and institutions which were beneficiaries of the program.

The project won by STIKK and SIV, together with partners from Montenegro, the Tourist Organisation of Berane and Cluster of ICT in Montenegro, has the title “Harnessing innovation and entrepreneurship in cross-border of Kosovo and Montenegro”. The project plans the construction and operation of two innovation hubs that will serve to the development of the tourism industry through the application of ICT.

More details regarding the project will be presented during the month of February, which is also the time it is expected to launch.

This project is funded by the European Union.

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02.02.2016

The National Strategy on Cyber Security has been approved

On January 22nd, 2016, the Government of Kosovo approved the National Strategy which will be focusing on Cyber Security and the Action Plan for this field for the period 2016-2019.

This outcome is due to the Working Group on the National Strategy on Cyber Security and Action Plan 2016-2019, where STIKK took part in. The strategy planning was supervised by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Government Approval of the National Cyber Security Strategy and the Action Plan 2016-2019: https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Vendimi_i_Qeverise_per_miratimin_e_Strategjise_Shteterore_per_Sigurine_Kibernetike_dhe_Plani_i_Veprimit_2016-2019.pdf

National Cyber Security Strategy and Action Plan: https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/National_Cyber_Security_Strategy_and_Action_Plan_2016-2019_per_publikim.pdf

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01.02.2016

Workshop #2: STIKK Export Promotion Service & Business Opportunities

On the 27th of January, 2016, STIKK held its second workshop on STIKK Export Promotion Service & Business Opportunities. This workshop was facilitated by the external consultant Lucas von Zallinger, and ICT companies, donors and STIKK participated.

The outcomes of the workshop were threefold:

Follow-up on the ease of procedure on business leads;
Choice of the best format for sustainability through the EPS service;
Suggestions on a Business-to-Business (B2B) trip in April.

The workshop and its continuity will support STIKK and its partners with tackling these barriers that hinder operations for the normal functioning of the service of the organization.

The workshop included a market snapshot in latest IT market and technology trends on the DACH market, as well as a discussion on recent business leads and export business opportunities from Germany, UK and Italy.

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26.01.2016

STIKK is looking for a Junior Project Manager

STIKK is looking to hire a Junior Project Manager with at least 1 year of experience in project management or at least project assistant.

Required Qualifications

– Experience in project management, or at least project assistant;
– Excellent English language skills;
– Solid editing and writing skills;
– Experience with Social Media;
– Computer Literate;
– Good communications and social skills;
– Proven organisational skills and the ability to work independently;
– Familiarity with Content Management Systems and Mail Chimp (optional).

Check out the Terms of Reference attached in order to find out more about the position and how to apply: https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ToR_-_02STIKK2016_-_Junior_Project_Manager.pdf

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22.01.2016

Two important Government Cabinet decisions

In December, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo made two very important decisions related to the ICT sector.

THE INSTITUTE OF BUILDING BECOMES AN INCUBATOR FOR IT BUSINESSES

As a result of STIKK’s continuous lobbying and advocacy for two years, the Government decided on 23 December 2015 (Decision No. 10/65) that the building where the Institute of Building in the Cadastral Zone of Lower Bernice, with an area of 8000m2 announced that from henceforth will be a Business Incubator for enterprises that work in the ICT sector. The Ministry of Trade and Industry will administrate the building, nevertheless STIKK and its member companies will directly benefit from this initiative.

Vendim për Inkubator për IT Biznese (Bërnicë): https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Vendim_Inkubator_per_IT_Biznese_-_Bernice.pdf

THE NATIONAL IT STRATEGY HAS BEEN APPROVED

During the meeting on the 30 December 2015, the Government of Kosovo decided (No. 14/67) upon the approval of Kosovo’s National IT Strategy. This strategy was prepared during 2014 by STIKK, Ministry of Economic Development, and other stakeholders, with the support of GIZ and the Norwegian Embassy. The strategy itself contains 9 pillars of intervention, implementation of which will significantly contribute to the further development of this sector.

Vendim për Strategjinë Nacionale të IT-së: https://stikk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Vendim_per_Strategjine_Nacionale_te_TI-se.pdf

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15.01.2016

The STIKK Education Advisory Board held its second meeting

The STIKK Education Advisory Board met for the second time on the 14th of January, 2016, at the STIKK Office. This Advisory Board, which includes members of STIKK, aims to support in the training programme development, and to ensure that the preparation of the STIKK Education beneficiaries will suit the needs of ICT companies in Kosovo.

The three IT profiles which STIKK Education will be based on are:

– IT Management
– Software Engineering
– Mobile Development

STIKK, an external curricula expert, and the Advisory Board are working on the curricula which will be used in order to address the issue young people are facing during training and professional development. The vision of this initiative is to raise the local capacities in the ICT sector through professional trainings, designed specifically to meet the needs of the local sector, nevertheless by being in line with international technology trends.

STIKK Education will implement 2 training cycles and other supplementary project activities as foreseen in the activity plan below in a 12-month period 2015–2016. Through the trainings, the young IT enthusiasts will gain specific skill-sets that are currently key on the local and European Union market by successfully mastering over curricula that are in full compliance with the European e-Competence Framework 3.0, which is an initiation of multi-stakeholders from the European ICT sector in order to identify and standardize skills that are currently needed in the market, and which has also been prioritized by the local ICT companies to implement.

Additionally, these 90 young IT enthusiasts will complete guaranteed internship programs within 1 year at STIKK member companies through the internship pool/student placement service of STIKK, which will help them put to practice the newly acquired skills and showcase their skills to potential employers.

This activity is co-financed by GIZ, Norwegian Embassy, and USAID.

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23.12.2015

Cross-Border Cooperation – The first meeting between the two parties

The CBC project aims for socio-economic development of the municipality of Istog and Berane, where the main goals are to develop a sustainable economy pushing innovation and entrepreneurship in the tourism industry.

The first meeting was organized on 03.12.2015 between the two sides in Berane, which mainly discussed ways of cooperation between the two parties addressing common solutions.

STIKK together with NGO Syri i Vizionit will implement the project activities in Kosovo and the Tourism Organisation of Montenegro together with Crnogorski IT Klaster are committed to the implementation of activities designed for Montenegro.

More about the project will follow in 2016.

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