After 12 years of FabLab’s activities in Croatia and on the European stage, today we had the exceptional opportunity to present our work and vision to the President of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanović.

The FabLab delegation that visited the Office of the President consisted of:

• Prof. emeritus Bojan Baletić, Member of the Association’s Board
• Roberto Vdović, President of FabLab
• Tatjana Jakšić and Richard Edgeler, FabLab staff members

This meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on more than a decade of dedicated work by FabLab in the fields of social innovation, digital fabrication, and the strengthening of maker culture in Croatia. Over the years, FabLab has become an important stakeholder within civil society, connecting the academic community, local communities, and international partners.

Looking back: the development and mission of the association

Prof. emeritus Bojan Baletić presented the history of FabLab’s establishment, which originated as an extension of the outreach activities of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Zagreb. Collaboration with the University of Zagreb has remained the foundation of our development, and over time FabLab has evolved into a platform that connects science, technology, design, and education.

Presentation of strategic initiatives

FabLab President Roberto Vdović presented the association’s key initiatives aimed at creating local innovation ecosystems:

• FabCity Zagreb – cooperation with urban development stakeholders to promote local production and sustainable cities.
• Adriatic GreenLab – an initiative focused on building self-sustaining communities in rural and remote areas through innovation, design, and the use of local resources.
• Designing the Future Academy – while FabLab has for years been the sole provider in the wider region of the internationally prestigious Fab Academy program, particular emphasis was placed on the development of a proprietary national educational model. The Academy is conceived as an inclusive lifelong learning program, aimed at empowering individuals through creativity, practical skills, and innovative thinking.

We were particularly pleased that the discussion during the meeting evolved toward social impact and the importance of innovation ecosystems, rather than technology alone. Due to time constraints, we were unable to present some additional topics that FabLab continuously develops and that are essential to our work.

These include the association’s sustainability models and numerous projects in the fields of education, STEM activities, digital fabrication, participatory design, and community engagement. Another important topic is our strong international connectivity—from long-standing participation in the global FabLab network to active contribution within the European Vulca network, where FabLab currently serves as a member of the Board. This international cooperation enables the transfer of knowledge, experience, and best practices that strengthen local communities across Croatia.

We hope there will be opportunities in the future to continue discussions on these topics with the President’s team, so that together we can contribute to the development of an innovative and inclusive society.

We extend our sincere thanks to President Zoran Milanović and the members of his team for their time, interest, and openness to dialogue on the importance of creating innovation ecosystems in Croatia. Meetings such as this confirm that the role of civil society, creative communities, and innovation organizations is becoming increasingly significant in societal development.

FabLab will continue to develop projects that contribute to sustainable development, technological literacy, and the strengthening of communities throughout Croatia.

We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all current and former FabLab employees, collaborators, and volunteers. Their dedication, expertise, and contributions over the years have made it possible for numerous activities, projects, and initiatives to be successfully implemented and today presented at the highest national level. Every individual who has been part of FabLab has left a mark on the development of our community, and the achievements we present today are the result of this shared investment, vision, and perseverance.