ALFATEC Group had the honour of participating in the EDF Info Day, an important event organized by Hrvatska udruga poslodavaca – Croatian Employers’ Association and the Croatian Defense Industry Competitiveness Cluster.
Representing ALFATEC Group, Marko Kornfeld and Ive Botunac joined leading representatives from industry, public institutions, and the scientific community. The event gathered key stakeholders with a shared objective: to further strengthen Croatia’s role within the European Defence Fund (EDF) and unlock new opportunities for domestic companies and organizations.
Sharing Practical EDF Experience
We were especially proud to contribute to the panel discussion, where our colleague Ive Botunac shared first-hand insights from ALFATEC Group’s experience in EDF-funded projects. The discussion focused on real project implementation experiences, lessons learned, and the concrete benefits that participation in the EDF framework can bring to Croatian companies.
As a company actively involved in European defence innovation initiatives, we believe that practical knowledge sharing is essential in encouraging more Croatian businesses to engage with upcoming calls and strategic partnerships.
ALFATEC Group’s EDF Success Story
At ALFATEC Group, we are proud of the results we have achieved within the EDF framework so far.
We have successfully delivered two projects:
- HYBRID (EDF 2021)
- LODESTAR II (EDF 2024)
In addition, we are currently awaiting the results of a third submitted application.
These projects have confirmed that the value of EDF goes far beyond financial support. Participation provides access to:
- International collaboration with leading European partners
- Strategic networking opportunities
- Increased visibility within the European defence ecosystem
- Long-term positioning in high-value innovation programmes
Croatia’s Opportunity to Lead
During the event, it was strongly emphasized that Croatia possesses the expertise, talent, and industrial capability to play a far greater role in the European defence sector. We fully share this view.
Croatian companies have already demonstrated that they can successfully participate in complex international projects. The next logical step is to move beyond participation and take on leading roles as project coordinators in future EDF calls.
