Support for R&I policy making in the Western Balkans

Project results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes:

• Support to the Western Balkans Steering Platforms for Research and Innovation, and Education and Training as valuable instruments of policy dialogue with the region (incl. support to the annual Ministerial meeting of the Western Balkans Platforms on Education and Training, Research and Innovation and Culture);
• Facilitation of the implementation of the Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport: 
  • Highlighting the strategic importance of the Western Balkans and facilitating actions aiming to support the region’s EU integration process, covering Research, Innovation, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.
  • Aiming to promote regional economic growth and prosperity through planned investments, to be directed towards game-changing innovations and actions that create a sustainable and human centric development and digital future. Support the ongoing process of reforming education, training and research systems, and the development of the cultural and creative sectors with more and better opportunities for capacity building.
  • Contributing to the closer integration of the Western Balkan partners with the EU’s priorities, most notably the Green Deal, the Digital transformation, including the enhancement of ICT and digital skills along the lines of the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans and the renewed Digital Education Action Plan, the European Education Area and an Economy that works for and connects people and communities.
• Providing support to the accession process and facilitate the association of Western Balkan countries to relevant European funding programmes.
• Identification of common priorities agreed among the participating national and regional R&I, education and cultural programmes as well as activities in the field of youth and sport, taking into account international developments where relevant;
• Contribution to joint initiatives, resulting in the funding of cross-border innovation actions, design/implement a portfolio of complementary actions which would enable Western Balkans stakeholders and policy makers to better internationalise and integrate in EU actions and policy making;
• Implementation of and financial support to other joint activities supporting R&I, regulatory or societal uptake of results.