Category: News

Do you want to make a professional turn towards the IT sector, but do not have a technical or software education?

IT project management is one of the areas where knowledge and skills in social sciences and humanities can be an important asset, from communication and organization to understanding people, teamwork and coordination of different tasks.

After successfully completed the First Cycle, applications are open for second cycle of Bootcamp PM, a free intensive programme enabling women aged 23-30 to acquire the knowledge and practical skills needed to develop a career in IT project management.

To participate No prior experience in the IT sector or programming pre-knowledge required.

Who is Bootcamp PM for?

The programme is intended to:

• women from the age of 23 to 30 years,
• with completed education from social or humanistic areas,
• who want to start or develop a career in IT sector,
• who are interested Project Management and working in a dynamic, team-based environment.

Bootcamp PM is particularly interesting for candidates who want to upgrade their existing communication, organizational and analytical skills with the knowledge needed to work on digital product development and IT project management.

What will you learn?

The program lasts in total 180 hours It covers four interlinked areas:

1. the logic of product development in the IT sector,
2. UX/UI design,
3. agile working methods,
4. project management.

The goal is not to learn to program, but to Understand how digital products are created, how IT project teams work and how to plan, organize and lead a project from idea to realization.

A detailed training schedule is available here.

From education to the real IT environment

Bootcamp PM is not just a theoretical education. Through guest lectures, meetings with representatives of IT companies and practical examples, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the way of working in the IT industry, the daily challenges of project teams and the role of project manager.

The program also provides an opportunity for creating professional contacts, meeting potential employers and gaining a better insight into career development opportunities in the IT sector;.

Internationally recognized certificate

Upon completion of the training, students will have the opportunity to acquire PMI Project Management Ready, internationally recognised certificate compliant with Project Management Institute (PMI) standards.

The certificate confirms basic knowledge in the field of project management, project processes and methodologies and can be an added value when entering the labour market and further professional development.

When and where?

• Duration of education: 8 September – 6 November 2026
• Time: every working day from 4.30 p.m. to 7.45 p.m.
• Location: Centre of Technical Culture Rijeka, Školjić 6
• Duration of the programme: 180 hours
• Participation: free

Applications are open until 30 August 2026 and receive here.

After the completion of the applications, a selection procedure is followed, which includes checking the application documents and psychological testing, and a participation agreement will be concluded with the selected participants.

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Bootcamp PM is implemented within the Erasmus+ project SHIFT4IT, working through international cooperation between partners from Croatia, Belgium, Romania and Italy to empower young women to enter and develop careers in the IT sector.

Today we opened the exhibition ‘Rijeka Development Agency Porin – 30 years of entrepreneurship development’ on the premises of Korzo in Rijeka, marking 30 years of activity and development of entrepreneurial support in Rijeka.

The exhibition brings the public closer to the path that Porin has gone through since 1996, when it was founded as one of the first entrepreneurial incubators in Croatia, to the present role of a development agency that connects entrepreneurs, development projects, European funds, education, technological infrastructure and new models of business support.

The opening of the exhibition was attended by the Mayor of Rijeka Iva Rinčić, Director of Porin Nenad Antolović and the conceptual initiator and first director of Porina Doris Sošić. This gave the opening a strong symbolic link between the beginnings of Porin and its present role, since Doris Sošić participated in the creation of the foundation of the entrepreneurial incubator from which the present system of support to entrepreneurs has developed over three decades.

“This exhibition marks three decades of work, change, challenges and, above all, support for entrepreneurs. It is not just an overview of important years, projects and numbers, but a story about how entrepreneurship in Rijeka and Croatia has developed from the beginning of the 1990s to the present day. Porin originated from a very specific need for space, advice, infrastructure and an environment in which business ideas can get a chance to become real business", said Porin Director Nenad Antolović.

Through twenty exhibition posters we showcased the key development phases of Porin, but also the changes that have marked entrepreneurship in Rijeka and Croatia over the last three decades. From the first incubation spaces and basic support to entrepreneurs, Porin gradually developed a system that today includes counselling, education, mentoring, incubation and post-incubation programs, preparation and implementation of EU projects, coworking, TEH LAB and support for the development of new products, services and business models.

‘Over the years, Porin has become a place of support, knowledge, mentoring and opportunity for numerous entrepreneurs, craftsmen, innovators and creatives. It is especially important that this exhibition reminds us of the path from the first incubation spaces to new development steps, such as the future incubator Sinergan, which will further strengthen Rijeka's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Rijeka remains a city of knowledge, work and innovation, and Porin remains an important part of this story.", said Rijeka Mayor Iva Rinčić.

In the past 30 years, we have gathered more than 200 users of the entrepreneurial incubator, while more than 6,800 participants have passed through our trainings. Existing incubators are now fully filled, and 30 entrepreneurs are currently active in incubation and post-incubation programs. In 2025 alone, we did more than 200 hours of business consulting, while since the beginning of TEH LAB in 2021, more than 200 3D models and prototypes have been produced.

European projects also hold an important place in the exhibition, through which we have strengthened international cooperation over the years and connected Rijeka with European knowledge, partners and funding opportunities. To date, we have participated in 51 international projects with a total value of more than €84 million, working with more than 150 international partners from more than 25 European countries.

The exhibition also provides an overview of the development of entrepreneurial infrastructure, from the Torpedo Production Park i TEH LAB the New Incubator Sinergana. Synergana represents a new development phase focused on creative technologies, IT industry and interdisciplinary forms of work, and is conceived as a space that connects technology, creative industries, research and modern entrepreneurship.

“Entrepreneurship is not just about buildings, programmes and projects. It consists of people – entrepreneurs who had the courage to start, mentors who guided them, partners, institutions and employees who have contributed to the creation of the Rijeka entrepreneurial ecosystem during these years. The new development phase of Porin is connected to Sinergan, a space where we want to connect ideas, knowledge, creativity and technology and create an environment for new collaborations and projects of the future.", concluded Antolović.

Through three decades of activity, we have changed programs and support models following the development of the market, technology and the needs of entrepreneurs. This is why the exhibition is not only an overview of the work so far, but also an announcement of a new development period in which we continue to connect ideas, people and opportunities for new generations of entrepreneurs.

• The exhibition is held with the support of the City of Rijeka, and you can see it on the posts on Korzo until June 11, 2026.

And for those who like it digitally 👇

Organised by EUROPE DIRECT Rijeka, and in cooperation with the National CERT (CARNET) and with the support of the City of Rijeka, today we opened the exhibition "Secure Europe in the Digital Age" at the Rijeka Korzo, bringing together the most important topics of cybersecurity and everyday digital threats in a simple and visually accessible way.

The opening was attended by the Director of the Rijeka Development Agency Porin and Head of the EUROPE DIRECT Centre Rijeka Nenad Antolović, Deputy Mayor of Rijeka Aleksandar-Saša Milaković, IT associate at the National CERT at CARNET Jakov Kiš and Assistant Head of Information Technology and Information Security at the Administrative Department for General Affairs of the City of Rijeka Danijel Antonić.

From phishing to deepfake

The exhibition presents an overview of the most common forms of online fraud, from phishing messages and identity theft to increasingly sophisticated manipulations such as deepfake content.

Through clear and understandable messages, visitors can learn how to identify suspicious situations and avoid the most common mistakes that lead to security incidents.

Special emphasis was placed on concrete advice that can be immediately applied in everyday use of the Internet, from checking the sources of messages to the protection of personal data and devices.

Security starts with us

Cyber security is no longer just a technical issue, but a part of everyday life.

Attacks are increasingly targeting citizens and small businesses, and often small gaps such as clicking on a suspicious link or sharing data without verification are sufficient.

Clicking on the wrong link, a message that creates a sense of urgency or downloading a seemingly useful application are often enough for serious consequences. Much of these threats can be prevented through information and timely reaction. – Nenad Antolović, Director of the Rijeka Development Agency Porin and Head EUROPE DIRECT Rijeka

This is why the key message of the exhibition is clear: Safe online life begins with us.

The EU perspective: a safer digital space for all

The exhibition also provides an overview of the activities of the European Union aimed at creating a safer digital environment.

Through legislative frameworks such as the Digital Services Act, NIS2 Directives i the Artificial Intelligence Act, the EU works to protect citizens, strengthen network security and develop new technologies responsibly.

For all citizens

The exhibition is intended for everyone who uses digital technologies, from students to entrepreneurs and retirees.

Through the content, visitors are guided by the educational figure of Eugene, who brings complex topics closer in a simple and accessible way.

• The exhibition is open on Korzo until 12 May 2026.

Go through, stop and learn how to stay safe in the digital world.

Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovations and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO) is conducting an analysis with the aim of improving the program Eurostars in Croatia.

Entrepreneurs are invited to share their experiences and perception of participation in the programme through a short survey.

Why participate?

Your answers will help in:

• improving the effectiveness of the programme;
• better tailoring to the needs of entrepreneurs
• increasing the availability of funding for research and development

Who can get involved?

The survey is intended for:

• micro, small and medium-sized enterprises
• large companies
• Research organisations
• Supporting institutions

Deadline for completion

The survey can be completed until 5 May 2026. Mr. through online forms.

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What is Eurostars?

Eurostars is an international research and development programme that supports projects in cooperation between partners from at least two countries. The programme is being implemented Eureka Network i European Commission, It focuses on innovative small and medium-sized enterprises.