Reviving a City Symbol: Winners of the Dubrovnik Tram Sustainability Competition

Lukrecija Novaković and Domenica Vukić, winners of the competition

In the heart of Dubrovnik, among the stone streets that preserve a thousand years of history, an idea was born that combines tradition and innovation.

The Dubrovnik Tram Elevator Speech competition, organized by RIT Croatia, allowed students to showcase their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit through a project that was both an homage to history and a vision for the future.

The Dubrovnik tram, which operated from 1910 to 1970, was once an essential part of everyday life for older generations of Dubrovnik residents.

Parts of the tram are currently being restored, with plans to place it in an attractive city location. The tram’s owners approached RIT Croatia with the idea of collaborating with students to create a financially self-sustainable business model.

This collaboration began with a lecture on the history and restoration of the tram, followed by announcing a business idea competition. After an application process and prescreening, six teams competed in the finals in November, presenting their ideas in a pitch event held on the Dubrovnik campus. The students showcased exceptional creativity, and the winning team was selected to help shape the tram’s sustainable future.

The winners of this competition, Domenica Vukić and Lukrecija Novaković, second-year Hospitality and Tourism Management students, brought Dubrovnik’s tram back to life in a way that is beneficial to the community, economically sustainable and focused on a sustainable future.

The Road to Victory

How did two students, who grew up hearing stories about the legendary tram, devise an idea that impressed the jury?

“Since we are both from Dubrovnik, we’ve been hearing stories about the tram from our grandmothers since childhood. When we learned about its restoration and the competition at RIT Croatia, we immediately recognized the opportunity to get involved in something of great importance to our city,” explains Lukrecija.

Domenica adds: “Our motivation was to bring the tram back to Dubrovnik, but in a way that ensures its economic sustainability. We were thrilled by the idea of contributing to the community and proving that as students, we can work on major projects.”

The project idea was not simple, but for the students, it was a challenge they enthusiastically embraced. Together, they developed a solution that connects the historical significance of the tram with modern, sustainable approaches to transport and tourism. “For us, it was an opportunity not just to revive the tram, but to modernize it, ensuring that it is economically sustainable and adapted to the city’s needs,” adds Domenica.

Visiting the Tram – A Moment That Changed Everything

Students visiting the Dubrovnik tram restoration site

During their project preparations, the students had the opportunity to visit the tram, which is currently in the process of restoration. This was a moment that, as they say, significantly shaped their idea.

“Although we had an initial idea before visiting the tram, that moment when we stood in front of it completely reshaped our concept. Seeing the tram in person allowed us to realistically assess the technical possibilities and limitations of the project,” explains Lukrecija.

Domenica adds: “The specific characteristics of the tram, such as the open carriages that limit its use to certain seasons and its limited capacity, made us think about how to use the tram year-round while adapting it to different user needs.”

A Focus on Sustainability and Practicality

But what truly set their idea apart from others?

“I think what distinguished us was our carefully planned approach, with an emphasis on connecting the tram’s history with sustainable solutions for its future. We worked hard to design a project that was not only creative but also feasible,” explains Lukrecija.

Through a detailed analysis of all aspects of the project – from financial models and market research to logistical challenges – the students ensured that their proposal was grounded in the city’s real needs and possibilities.

Their work did not go unnoticed, and mentorship from RIT Croatia instructors was of key importance. “Through consultations with our professors, such as Kevin Walker, Dr. Besim Agušaj, and Milena Kužnin, we received valuable feedback that helped us structure our idea and recognize challenges,” adds Domenica.

Through this mentoring process, the students learned how to analyze the project in detail, identify potential risks, and design strategies to overcome them.

Skills Learned and Personal Development

The project not only allowed the students to apply their academic knowledge but also helped them develop numerous practical skills that will benefit them in the future.

“We improved our time management skills, learned how important teamwork is, and how to effectively divide tasks,” explains Lukrecija. “Gaining all these skills while working on a real project was an invaluable experience that will certainly help us in future professional challenges.”

For both students, the emotional connection to the project was also key. “This project also taught us that passion for what we do can push boundaries. That dedication was crucial for achieving better results,” says Domenica, adding that their love for their city and its history was the motivation to turn the idea into reality.

Perspective of the Tram Project Coordinator

Students during the business idea pitch presentations

On the other side, Maro Majstorović, coordinator of the Dubrovnik Tram project, highlights the importance of this competition and its impact on the tram’s future development.

“We are extremely pleased with the ideas of all the students who participated in the finals. Each idea was carefully developed and aimed at creating sustainable and innovative solutions. We were especially impressed by the winners’ ability to connect the tram’s history with innovative solutions for its future,” says Majstorović.

When asked what was decisive in selecting the winning team, Majstorović answered: “Several factors were decisive in choosing the winning team, including the originality of the idea, the clarity of the presentation, and the realism and sustainability of the proposed business model. The winners particularly stood out with their creativity and precision in explaining how their idea could successfully function in the real world.”

According to Majstorović, the winning idea will serve as a foundation for further project development, though they are currently not revealing too many details about the idea or the exact direction in which the tram will be used. “We will gladly share this information soon, hoping that the tram will soon be at its chosen destination in the city.”

Further Collaboration with RIT Croatia

Majstorović also emphasizes the importance of collaboration with RIT Croatia, which enabled students to showcase their abilities and bring fresh ideas.

“This collaboration was extremely positive. The students brought fresh ideas, which is of great importance for the development of new business solutions. We are confident that such projects can have a long-term impact on the local community, and we will certainly continue this cooperation.”

Outstanding Teams and Valuable Awards

Winners Domenica and Lukrecija were not the only ones who impressed the jury. Second place went to Lea Gugić and Antonela Rodić, while third place was shared by Mario Prce and Relja Vuković.

All teams demonstrated incredible enthusiasm and professionalism, and their creativity and dedication were key to the competition’s success.
The competition not only allowed students to showcase their ideas but also became a platform for creating new business solutions that could have a long-term impact on Dubrovnik.

With winning ideas that will serve as a foundation for the tram’s further development, Dubrovnik is surely heading toward a brighter and more sustainable future.

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