BHFF Scholars Driving Green Innovation: From Hackathon Idea to Industry Solution

The Final Conference of the Green Industry Innovation Accelerator (GIIA), held at the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, marked the conclusion of a project that successfully connected academia and industry. More importantly, it showcased how BHFF scholars are stepping into roles as innovators and problem-solvers in real-world contexts.

Bringing together students, industry leaders, and institutions, GIIA created an environment where young talent could directly engage with sustainability challenges. Within this setting, BHFF scholars distinguished themselves by transforming knowledge into practical, impactful solutions.

From Classroom Knowledge to Industry Impact

Through collaboration with Heidelberg Materials Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Chamber of Economy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, participants gained valuable insights into the realities of green value chains and the challenges companies face in adapting to new regulations.

For BHFF scholars, this was not just an academic exercise—it was an opportunity to actively contribute to solving real industry problems.

The journey began during the GIIA Hackathon in December, where a team including BHFF scholars developed a winning solution in the Go Digital category. The project, later recognized across all categories as C-PASS, quickly evolved beyond its initial concept.

C-PASS: A Solution Built by BHFF Scholars

Developed by a team led by BHFF scholars, C-PASS is a digital solution designed to support companies in meeting the requirements of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

While companies today face increasing pressure not only to reduce emissions but also to measure and verify them, existing systems are often fragmented and inefficient. C-PASS addresses this gap through a centralized platform that enables companies to:

  • Calculate CO₂ emissions based on materials, suppliers, and transport data

  • Generate a digital CO₂ passport for each material batch

  • Identify emission hotspots across the supply chain

  • Optimize logistics to reduce both emissions and costs

  • Access all relevant data within a single interface

By combining regulatory compliance with operational efficiency, C-PASS demonstrates the ability of BHFF scholars to deliver solutions aligned with both market and policy needs.

Meet the Team

At the core of this achievement are BHFF scholars:

  • Lamija Imamović – Senior Scholar

  • Ena Hamzić – Junior Scholar

Together with their teammates:

  • Nejra Berberović

  • Ajša Herceglija

The team combined diverse perspectives and skill sets—from research and concept development to system design—resulting in a cohesive and applicable solution.

What This Means for BHFF

C-PASS is still in development, with the next phase focused on technical refinement, industry validation, and exploring implementation opportunities.

However, beyond the solution itself, this journey reflects the broader impact of BH Futures Foundation. It highlights how BHFF scholars are being equipped not only with knowledge, but with the mindset and experience needed to lead innovation.

The GIIA project demonstrated that when given the right platform, mentorship, and network, BHFF scholars can move beyond theory and actively contribute to shaping the future of industry.

They are not just learning about change—they are driving it.

Melisa Music