Centre for Innovation and Knowledge Transfer – EFRI
The Centre for Innovation and Knowledge Transfer of the Faculty of Economics and Business in Rijeka (CITZ) serves as a bridge between academic knowledge, the business sector, and the public sector. It was established with the aim of enabling the application of the Faculty’s professional expertise and research capabilities in addressing development, organizational, and market challenges faced by companies, institutions, and local communities.
Role and Scope of the Centre
The Centre focuses on the development of projects and services that promote innovation, applied research, and the transfer of knowledge into practice. Its registered activities cover a wide range of professional and analytical tasks, including:
- research and development projects and analytical studies
- consulting in business, management, and organizational development
- economic, market, and socio-economic analyses
- training sessions, workshops, and professional development programmes
- preparation of publications, studies, and expert materials
- support for the commercialization of research results and strengthening innovation capacities
This broad scope enables the Centre to operate at the intersection of science, professional practice, and market needs.
Target Partners
The Centre cooperates with organizations seeking reliable analytical support, expert assistance, or tailored solutions, including:
- companies and business entities across various sectors
- local and regional self-government units
- public institutions and agencies
- associations, non-profit organizations, and development institutions
- educational and research organizations
Cooperation is aimed at creating concrete, applicable value through expert knowledge and data-driven insights.
Principles of Work and Benefits of Cooperation
The Centre’s activities are based on professionalism, interdisciplinarity, and the integration of academic and market perspectives. Cooperation with the Centre provides organizations with:
- access to experts from the Faculty of Economics and Business
- analytical and methodological tools based on scientific and professional standards
- support in informed decision-making
- opportunities to develop projects that connect theory and practice
- training and capacity building for employees
The Centre operates on market principles, and project implementation is financed exclusively through contracted services and activities.
Connection with the University of Rijeka Faculty of Economics and Business
As an organizational unit owned by the Faculty, the Centre enables systematic knowledge transfer between the academic community and users from the business and public sectors. In this way, it contributes to strengthening the Faculty’s impact in applied research, analytical support, and economic development.