In line with project’s flow, the participating Western Balkans territories are working on co-design of RRI ‘anchor’ initiatives throughout three different but complementary to each other tasks. The representatives of each WB territory have organised open regional workshops with participation of all Quadruple Helix actors in order to reach a common vision for the territory. The workshops were organised in the period from February 2022 until May 2022, depending on the organisers in the target Western Balkan country. The number and content of the workshops were modified as necessary to meet the needs of each territory. However, the starting point for discussion were the previously developed future scenarios that address the RRI vision in each region. After completing co-designs workshops the territorial partners have drafted their initial co-designs of anchor initiatives. The aim of this article is to provide a brief summary of the visions each WB territory wants to pursue.

Read more about the whole co-design process here.

Kune-Vain-Tale Lagoon, territory of Qark of Lezhë (Albania)

The vision of the anchor (relating to the most realistic scenario: “Ready for Disaster”) is that of climate change related regional institutions, local communities and research actors with enhanced R&I and STI capacities for evidence-based decisions on the management of protected areas in view of climate mitigation and adaptation, with a particular focus on mapping and assessing lagoon ecosystem services vis-à-vis climate change risks and losses. Participatory mapping and assessment for citizen science, R&I governance instruments and public engagement in R&I ensures the RRI in the anchor initiative.

The objective is to establish a scientific platform for mapping and assessing ecosystem services in the lagoon, with information produced through citizen science and public engagement, involving all actors of the quadruple helix, and to be endorsed by the Regional Administration of Protected Areas in Lezhë (RAPA).

Find more details in the event reviews of 1st co-design workshop in Kune-Vain-Tale Lagoon and 2nd co-design workshop in Kune-Vain-Tale Lagoon.

Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

The vision of the anchor in Republic of Srpska relates to the most realistic scenario: “Time for R&I and STI to Flourish!”.  Big vision is that in the long-term perspective, the R&I landscape of Republic of Srpska has embraced the RRI principles. The institutional practices in RPOs / HEIs and RFOs have been transformed with a particular focus on strengthening the ethics procedures and open science practices in R&I. This is done by institutionally embracing the RRI keys in the RPOs and setting them as funding criteria in RFOs’ activities. The R&I landscape of Republic of Srpska embraces inclusive science education and integrating gender as a crosscutting issue. Finally, embedding the RRI keys into the strategic documents in the region, such as Smart Specialization Strategy of the Republic of Srpska (S3), is the highlight of the R&I/STI transformative processes that the region seeks to meet though relevant actions.

Find more details in the event reviews of 1st co-design workshop in Republic of Srpska and 2nd co-design workshop in Republic of Srpska.

Country of Montenegro

The vision of anchor is based on the scenario: “Sustainable salt production”: where Saltwork will become operational within full capacity with introduced all topics that makes sustainability possible, such as: 

• Stabile Economic situation – this means saltworks developed cooperation with big buyers from the region and wider, but also cover entire Western Balkan market. 
• Tourism is developed in different areas (health tourism, scientific and education tourism) and promote the saltwork as a national reserve; 
• Greater cooperation among key actors is set up; 
• Scientific community is involved in Saltwork operation.

Find more details in the event reviews of 1st co-design workshop in Montenegro and 2nd co-design workshop in Montenegro.

Skopje region (North Macedonia)

The vision of anchor initiative in Skopje region is based on the scenario: “How to deal with the territory’s development?”. The objective is to boost institutional resources and capacities that will encourage the application of RRI principles for promoting science education and fostering gender equality, positioning the institutions as leaders in integrating inclusive R&I and STI in the region. The territorial transformation is envisioned by establishing a vast Quadruple Helix network engaged in a scientific focus towards Culture, Creativity, and Inclusive Society by integrating R&I in various societal processes of the country while further delivering results beneficial for the entire WB macro-region. 

Find more details in the event reviews of 1st co-design workshop in Skopje planning region and 2nd co-design workshop in Skopje planning region.

Autonomous province of Vojvodina (Serbia)

The big vision relates to the scenario: “Good isolated islands!” with aim of facilitating stronger flow of people and ideas throughout the QH and bringing more interest of the young to stay and advance their professional and/or academic careers in Vojvodina, as well as to raise visibility of activities and achievements that take place in Vojvodina already. Furthermore, the vision is to have closer ties between academia and industry where both have realized that cooperation, mutual respect, knowledge and experience exchange, and joint initiatives will bring improvements across their domains as well as long-term benefits for education, business, and societal structure in general. The overall goal is to have high-quality education in the Vojvodina region including development of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of young generation and to provide open access to knowledge base to wider society through open repositories.

Find more details in the event reviews of 1st co-design workshop in Province of Vojvodina and 2nd co-design workshop in Province of Vojvodina.

Concluding remarks

Throughout the workshops and engagement of stakeholders all WB territories have crystalized their vision for transformation of their respective regions. This process has culminated in final drafts of the co-designs of anchor initiative in each of the 5 territories. As the process of co-designing relied heavily on the interaction of the territory representatives with the relevant actors the outcome is that the visions for anchors are responding directly to the needs of the region.
The drafted co-designs of anchor activities are currently being reviewed by the members of External Advisory Board of the project and project’s consortium members. Outcome of this peer-review process will be final co-designs of anchor initiatives in the 5 WB regions.