Interview with Energie- & Infrastruktur- Finanz-Experten and Senior Project Manager Marjan Stojiljkovic from the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
We at Frankfurt School have recognized the unique opportunity to support selected cities within MGI in their endeavor towards becoming a smart city. I am excited to put into practice new theories and models of inclusive solutions towards deployment of smart infrastructure investments in the pilot cities
Q.: Please describe your work within the project.
A.: In short: municipal project financial strategy and institutional strengthening.
I am leading the project activities focused on providing support to local authorities and other relevant entities (cities, public utility institutions, PPPs) to analyze and improve financing strategies for urban infrastructure projects as well as to extend relevant capacities.
Q.: What does a typical working day look like for you?
A.: The typical day starts with a team-internal wrap up assessing the current status in the respective partner countries, followed by discussing concrete tasks (inputs) in support of ongoing activities. In the remaining time I work on expert solutions and inputs in facilitating final objectives of the project.
Q.: Please tell us about your way into the project.
A.: Frankfurt School’s strategic advisory includes supporting smart city/municipal project financing. Furthermore, Frankfurt School has past and ongoing IKI finance experience which was recognized as the suitable medium for accomplishing the achievements of the set objectives. In cooperation with the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft we jointly recognized that Frankfurt School could contribute with its know-how and experience in smart city financing. Currently, we successfully work with the Consortium on implementing the project.
Q.: Speaking from your present experience: if you could go back, which advice would you have liked to give to yourself at the beginning of the project?
A.: I would highlight the benefits of internal strengths and capacities in partnerships for the delivery of set objectives and day-to-day activities.
Q.: What do you wish for in the future of the project?
A.: Smart City Finance is a crucial component of sustainable urban development. Therefore, extracting key experiences and lessons learned from the project and transferring them to other contexts is a vital part of our work. Consequently, I am looking forward to reporting on those achievements and possibly replicating them in other markets.
