All news related to Regional and Macro-Regional Strategies for and with the Western Balkans

• Danube Region Programme Opens Funding Window for Seed Money Applications

  The EUSDR Seed Money Facility (SMF) is now accepting project proposals from November 27, 2023, to March 29, 2024. The focus is on preparing projects aligning with the 12 priority areas of the EU Strategy...

• Introducing the Sustainable Tourism Mission of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme - One Mission, Two Governance Projects

  The Mediterranean is one of the most important destinations in the world, where the tourism activities constitute a major source of income, but at the same time they produce a significant social and...

• 122 project proposals compete in the second assessment phase of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme - 32 in "sustainable tourism"

  The results of the 1st assessment phase for the 2nd call for thematic projects have been published in June 2023. The selected project proposals will now enter the 2nd phase of assessment (June-November...

• INTERREG Danube Region pre-announces its second call for proposals opening in October 2023

  The Danube Region Programme will be launching its second call for proposals on 2 October 2023. This one-step call for proposals will require applicants to prepare and submit the full application ...

• Call on "Regional Innovation Valleys": Commission launched €122 million calls for proposals to close innovation gaps in the EU and strengthen innovation ecosystems

  As of 17 May, the Commission is making €122 million available under the European Innovation Ecosystems initiative of Horizon Europe* and the Interregional Innovation Investment Instrument (I3)** of the...

• Mariya Gabriel's shares her thoughts on the Western Balkans Agenda in an interview with CorD

  The article by Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner For Innovation, Research, Culture, Education And Youth is titled "Promised And Delivered!" and was published on March 2. The magazine is an independent...

• Five new projects approved under the 5th Extraordinary Call

  Interreg ADRION Programme will fund five (5) new projects under the 5th Extraordinary Call for Proposals. Around MEUR 4,10 (3,1 ERDF and 0,97 IPA) will support their upcoming...

• Danube Region Programme approved by the European Commission

  30-11-2022 The budget of the new Interreg Danube Region Programme is 266 million euros. It is financed by European funds and its aim is to support the development and implementation of cooperation...

• European Commission published the Enlargement Package 2022

  In the autumn of each year, the European Commission adopts its "Enlargement package" - providing a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by the Western Balkans and Türkiye on ...

• Danube Region Programme: Pre-announcement of the first call

  The first call for proposals is going to be officially launched in September 2022. Yet, the Danube Region Programme has published the new applicants' manual presenting the main rules, requirements...

• [Document Announcement] A Partnership for Sustainable Development: Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025

  This Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (CF), adopted by the BiH Council of Ministers at its 22nd Session on 16 December 2020 and reconfirmed by the BiH Presidency at its 114th Extraordinary...

• EU and the Western Balkans strengthen ties in first Ministerial Meeting on Culture

  Commissioner Gabriel launched the new Western Balkans Ministerial Platform for Culture. © European Union, Florion Goga

• Ministerial meeting of the Western Balkans Steering Platforms on Culture, Research and Innovation, Education and Training

  On 27 and 28 June 2022, the Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Platforms on Culture, Research and Innovation, Education and Training took place in Tirana, Albania, with the participation of...

• Videos of the Ministerial Meeting Side Events 2022 in Tirana, Albania now online!

  Recordings of the public events and photos of the Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Steering Platfroms on Culture, Research & Innovation, and Education & Training on 27-28 of June 2022...

• [Document Announcement] 'Use it or lose it!' How do migration, human capital and the labour market interact in the Western Balkans?

  How do the characteristics of the labour markets and education systems affect migration flows, and vice versa? This study focuses on the impact of migration on the skills pool and utilisation in the Western...

• [Link Announcement] ETF has updated its country fiches

  All partner countries from SEMED, EAP and SEET have been updated in 2021 and are now available online, clicking on the respective country. The main objective was to report about developments in education...

• [Document Announcement] Dinaric Perspectives on TIMSS 2019 : Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science in South-Eastern Europe

  This new Research for Education volume was shared for the very first time on 17.11.2021 at a dedicated session at the IEA International Research Conference. Authors and contributors came together to reflect...

• [Event Announcement] Novi Sad Becomes European Capital Of Culture 2022 For One Year

  The northeastern Serbian city of Novi Sad officially became European Capital of Culture on January 13 after a yearlong delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The European Capital of Culture designation...

• [Event Announcement] Manifesta 14 Prishtina to open from the 22nd of July until the 30th of October 2022

  Manifesta 14 Prishtina to open from the 22nd of July until the 30th of October 2022 Manifesta, the European nomadic biennial, has announced Pristina, capital of Kosovo*, will be the host city for the...

• Balkan Cities Network kicked off

  Mayors and municipality representatives from the wider Balkan region met in Istanbul on 29-30 November 2021 at the kick off meeting of the B40 – Balkan Cities Network where they signed a Declaration.

• Balkan Barometer 2021 highlights the added value of regional cooperation

  As reported by the EC web news, the 7th edition of the Balkan Barometer 2021 was published on 24 June.  

• Results and documentation related to the Brdo Summit

  The Summit came after over 19 months of fighting a pandemic. The EU and its Member States have stood by the Western Balkan partners, demonstrating their solidarity with an unprecedented package of €3....

• [Call Announcement] Call for Albania-Montenegro cross-border projects

  The IPA Albania-Montenegro Cross-border Cooperation Programme has launched its third call for proposals. Through projects implemented under this call, the programme aims to strengthen good neighbourly...

• [Document Announcement] UNESCO Science Report: Southeast Europe (Chapter 10)

  For countries in Southeast Europe (chapter 10), integrating the European Union (EU) remains an overarching policy goal. There are some positive signs: the region has surpassed its target for the number...

• Start of the New European Union for Local Development programme - EU PRO Plus

  New 30 million Euros in grants for integrated territorial development of 99 local governments in Serbia.

• Two Major Public Administration Reform Projects in Serbia Extended

  The two EU-funded projects supporting public administration reform in Serbia, the EU4PAR and the PAR Visibility & Communication Project, which started in 2018, have been extended for another 36 and...

• Bring Western Balkans back on the agenda, urge nine EU member states

  Nine EU member states have called on the EU’s chief diplomat, Joseph Borrell, to have a strategic discussion on the Western Balkan countries and their prospects when EU foreign ministers meet in April...

• EIT Stakeholder Forum 2020 results published

  The results of the EIT Stakeholder Forum 2020 were published today in a report ‘Making Innovation Happen for a Strong and Resilient Europe’.

• [Call Announcement] RYCO: Invitation to Tender for Procurement Manual

  The Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) is looking for a relevant expertise/consultancy for developing the internal Manual of Procurement procedures that will be applied in the frame of RYCO’s procurement...

• [Link Announcement] The Western Balkans Common Regional Market

  The Western Balkans Common Regional Market – a catalyst for deeper regional economic integration and a stepping stone towards EU Single Market At the Sofia Summit on 10 November 2020, the leaders of...

• [Call Announcement] Invitation to stakeholders consultation

  The 2nd on-line stakeholders consultation is being launched!

• Panel for the Future of Science and Technology – Workshop on Exploring synergies between Horizon Europe and regional policy

  Scientific Foresight Unit (STOA) of the EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service has organised an online workshop on February 2, 2021 entitled Exploring synergies between Horizon Europe and regional...

• #EUMRSWeek – Save the date, also including Western Balkans!

  Save the Date! From 1 to 5 March 2021, DG REGIO will host the 2nd EU Macro-Regional Strategies Week (EU MRS Week) that will take place digitally.

• The EIB Group boosts financing for the Western Balkans in 2020

  In 2020, the EIB increased its investments in the region by almost 50%, reaching €873 million in financial commitments Lilyana Pavlova, EIB vice-president for the Western Balkans, highlights...

• EUA briefing provides advice on what Brexit deal means for universities

  The European University Association (EUA) has published a briefing looking at EU-UK relations after Brexit, and in particular at what the Brexit deal means for universities.

• Bregu: Instead of creating policies FOR youth we believe in co-creating policies WITH youth

  “Youth makes 21% of Western Balkans population. If we know that youth unemployment in the Western Balkans is over 35%; that it takes around 2 years for a young person to land the job after the school; ...

• Miscevic: Addressing livelihood topics of social rights - jobs, wages, access to education, health care – more important than ever

  Regional meeting on challenges and opportunities of Social Rights in the Western Balkans held online today.

• Bregu: ‘Regional cooperation’ and ‘regional integration’ are the two sides of the same coin

  RCC Secretary General takes part at the Friends of Europe’s EU-Western Balkans Summit: Creative solutions, sustainable cooperation and smart development.

• [Document Announcement] Mapping of Gender-Related Policies, Programmes and Mechanisms on Gender Disparity in STEM in Western Balkans

  The objective of this study is to identify policies related to gender disparity in STEM at the level of each Western Balkan economy and provide a regional overview of existing mechanisms and initiatives...

• Bosnia and Herzegovina: EU allocates additional €3.5 million to support vulnerable refugees and migrants

  The European Commission has announced today an additional €3.5 million in humanitarian aid to help vulnerable refugees and migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina facing a humanitarian disaster.

• Platform Initiative launched to help energy transition of coal regions in Western Balkans, Ukraine

  The Platform Initiative in Support of Coal Regions in Transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine has been officially launched, with the aim of helping the countries to stop using coal in energy production...

• Bregu: Hire women, promote women and invest in women - that is our future

  Joint initiative by RCC and UNDP targets women’s economic empowerment in the Western Balkans.

• RCC, UNDP to launch ‘Women’s Economic Empowerment: Areas for joint actions in the Western Balkans’ initiative

  Joint RCC and UNDP initiative on empowering women in the Western Balkans to launch on 11 December 2020.

• WESTERN BALKANS AT THE CROSSROADS Project: ANALYTICAL STUDIES & ARTICLES

   

• [Call Announcement] Call for Papers: European crises or European Solidarity? The Western Balkans as a testing ground

  Call for Papers: Southeastern Europe, Special issue European crises or European Solidarity? The Western Balkans as a testing ground Guest editors: Ljiljana Šarić & Federico Giulio Sicurella European...

• Review: 9th EUSDR Annual Forum

  The 9th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region held under the Croatian EUSDR Presidency on 22nd October 2020 focused on th ecological, economic and social aspects of sustainable regional...

• Advancing evidence for policy across Europe’s parliaments and regions, also including Western Balkans in the future

  The JRC presents the results of a pilot project that reached out to Europe’s parliaments, regions and cities to gather scientists, policymakers and citizens and work together on today’s big issues.

• Commissioners Reynders, Johansson and Várhelyi attend EU-Western Balkans ministerial videoconference on Justice and Home Affairs

  On 22 October, Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, and Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, will participate in the EU-Western Balkans ministerial videoconference on Justice and Home ...

• JRC: Science for policy in the Western Balkans

  The JRC has a long history of cooperation in the Western Balkans. The Commission moved one step closer to a formal innovation agenda with the region this month, as it launched an Economic and Investment...

• Bregu: The region needs common market to ensure free movement of business people, drivers and citizens in the Western Balkans

  RCC to facilitate an all-inclusive regional agreement on movement with ID cards.

• Platform Initiative launched to support clean energy transition in coal regions in Western Balkans and Ukraine

  The Energy Community Secretariat has announced the launch of a Platform Initiative to support the clean energy transition in coal regions in the Western Balkans and Ukraine through knowledge exchange, ...

• Joksimovic and Fabrizi: Progress Report and Economic Package in an Important Moment

  Last week, Ambassador Sem Fabrizi, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia handed over to Ms. Jadranka Joksimovic, Minister for European Integration, the 2020 European Commission Annual...

• Vučić; A big assignment for the new pro-European government

  EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic last week.

• Pendarovski: The new Economic and Investment Plan shows that the EU really cares about the WBs

  The new Economic and Investment Plan shows that the EU really cares about the Western Balkans, said Stevo Pendarovski, the President of the Republic of North Macedonia.

• Džaferović: The relationship between the EU institutions and BiH will be continuous

  The Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Šefik Džaferović and members of the Presidency of BiH Milorad Dodik and Željko Komšić met today with the European Parliament’s Special Rapporteur...

• Commissioner Várhelyi: We are ready for further cooperation with BiH and the WB region

  The EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi during his visit to Sarajevo presented the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. He met also with the Chairman of the Council of Ministers...

• Várhelyi: Kosovo* has fulfilled the conditions for visa liberalization

  EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi said that Kosovo* has fulfilled the conditions for visa liberalization, but that now EU member states must be convinced in that, during...

• Hoti on the EC report: Progress has been made despite difficulties

  Kosovo* Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti said yesterday that the European Commission report on Kosovo* shows that all conditions for visa liberalization have been met, Gazeta Express reports.

• Várhelyi presents the Economic and Investment Plan in Skopje

  EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi presented the Economic and Investment Plan and annual report on North Macedonia to the Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and the President Stevo Pendarovski during...

• EU presents guidelines on Green Agenda for Western Balkans

  The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, envisaged by the European Green Deal, is expected to be endorsed by the Western Balkan leaders at a summit in Sofia, Bulgaria in November, the European Commission...

• Economic Development Gap between the Western Balkans and the EU must be closed faster

  “Belgrade, Podgorica, Pristina, Sarajevo, Skopje, Tirana. Six capitals of the Western Balkans, at the heart of Europe, but traveling and trading between them and to other capitals of Europe takes twice...

• Commissioner Várhelyi travels to the Western Balkans to discuss the Economic and Investment Plan and Enlargement package

  Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner, Olivér Várhelyi, travels to the Western Balkans today to discuss the Economic and Investment Plan to boost the economic recovery of the region and convergence...

• EBRD new financing in W. Balkans may reach 1.5 bln euro by end-yr - Hargitai

  The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) hopes new financing commitments in the Western Balkans will reach a total of 1.5 billion euro ($1.8 billion) by the end of 2020, Zsuzsanna...

• Key findings of the 2020 Report on Albania

  Political criteria The political environment in Albania continued to be marked by intense polarisation. Parliamentary activities were affected by the opposition relinquishing their mandates. Institutional...

• Key findings of the 2020 Report on North Macedonia

  Political criteria         North Macedonia continued to implement EU-related reforms throughout the reporting period. Efforts continued to strengthen democracy...

• Key findings of the 2020 Report on Kosovo*

  Political criteria         The reporting period was marked by early legislative elections, two changes of government and relatively long periods with only a...

• Key findings on the 2020 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina

  Political criteria          During most of the reporting period the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina was blocked for political reasons, ...

• Key findings of the 2020 Report on Serbia

  Political criteria  The parliamentary, provincial and municipal elections in Serbia initially foreseen for April were postponed following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and held on 21 June...

• Key findings of the 2020 Report on Montenegro

  Political criteria         The reporting period was marked by tensions and mistrust between political actors and low level of trust in the electoral framework...

• Commission seeks to revive enlargement with new package

  The European Commission published its long-awaited enlargement package on Tuesday (6 October) in a fresh attempt to revive the stalled process with promises of more substantial economic assistance in ...

• [Event Announcement] Looking back, looking forward: Regional cooperation in the Western Balkans

  On 6th October the European Commission will release its Enlargement Package for the Western Balkans together with a new Investment Plan for the region. According to Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, ...

• Investing in new energy infrastructure: Green light for EU grants worth nearly €1 billion

  EU Member States agreed yesterday on a Commission proposal to invest €998 million in key European energy infrastructure projects under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). Yesterday's positive vote...

• Speech by Commissioner Várhelyi at the Forum on Western Balkans: THE FUTURE OF ENLARGEMENT FROM A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE

  The event was organised by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung on 7 September 2020 in Berlin. Commissioner Várhelyi underlined the need for a new economic-based policy approach, to intensify the EU presence...

• [Event review] Towards an innovation agenda for the Western Balkans

  On September 24, 2020, Western Balkan Ministers and high level panelists from the region took part in the European Research and Innovation Days to discuss the region’s priorities in research and innovation...

• Dimitrov: There are so many reasons for the accession proccess to work

  North Macedonia with the geography, economy, history and culture is very much part of EU, said Nikola Dimitrov Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs of North Macedonia adding that there are so many...

• Widening 2.0: Commission’s latest plan to close east-west innovation gap with the replicate possibility in Western Balkans

  Research commissioner Mariya Gabriel announces new push to coordinate with national policies and help EU13 countries boost their R&D performance.

• EU response to COVID-19 and consequences for the Western Balkans in the focus of the sixth “Move.Link.Engage” conference

• Coronavirus: Eight macro-financial assistance programmes agreed to support enlargement and neighbourhood partners

  The Commission, on behalf of the EU, has agreed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on macro-financial assistance (MFA) programmes with eight partners. The agreements are part of the €3 billion MFA package...

• [Event Announcement] European Research and Innovation Days Session: ‘‘Towards an innovation agenda for the Western Balkans”

  Date: 24 September 2020, 10.00 The Western Balkans are a strategic priority for the European Commission. The EU has increased its efforts to boost the economic growth and support reforms required for...

• Von der Leyen: Western Balkans are part of Europe, not just a stopover on the Silk Road

  President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen stated that the future of the Western Balkans is in the EU during her first annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament.

• Enlargement Package on the agenda of the Commission possibly on 6 October

  European Commission may discuss the Enlargement Package, including individual reports on EU candidates and potential candidate countries, on 6 October.

• EC proposes relaxing the rules of origin for Western Balkan goods to boost trade

  The European Commission adopted a package of proposals that aims to increase trade between the European Union and neighbouring countries in the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) region, including the Western...

• Coronavirus: Eight macro-financial assistance programmes agreed to support enlargement and neighbourhood partners

  As of today, the Commission, on behalf of the EU, has agreed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on macro-financial assistance (MFA) programmes with eight partners. The agreements are part of the €3 billion...

• Schütz: German Presidency aims to hold first intergovernmental conferences with N. Macedonia and possibly Albania

  Germany took over the six-month presidency of the European Union this July and it wants to see “renewed momentum” in relations between the bloc and the West Balkans, says Susanne Schütz, Director for ...

• WB Partnership Summit: Western Balkans leaders express commitment to regional cooperation By EWB - 30.07.2020

  Leaders from the Western Balkans Six met to agree on bold, practical actions to help the region emerge stronger together from the impact of COVID-19 with greater regional economic development opportunities...

• Western Balkans could attract EUR 2.5 billion in investments to boost energy efficiency

  The Western Balkan countries are slow in using their potential in energy efficiency improvement, despite the fact that energy-saving measures could lead to additional investments worth EUR 2.5 billion...

• MPs from Western Balkans are paving the way for sustainable urban mobility

  During last two years Members of Parliaments from the Western Balkans have embraced the topic of sustainable urban mobility following their collaboration with the GIZ ORF-EE Fund and experts in the field...

• Energy Community Secretariat launches Energy Transition Tracker for Western Balkans

  The Energy Community Secretariat has launched today the Energy Transition Tracker in a move which marks the start of monitoring the energy transition process in the Western Balkans.

• WBIF awards €8.3 million worth of grants financed by the EU for Western Balkans’ Digital, Environment and Social projects

  Good news for the region come from the Brussels as Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) Steering Committee approved eight grant applications for technical assistance from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina...

• Circular economy is becoming basic principle for entire world

  Serbia is the first country in the Western Balkans to produce the Roadmap for Circular Economy. The Ministry of Environmental Protection said its purpose is dialogue between decision makers and the representatives...

• Serbia And China Sign Space Technology Cooperation Agreement

  Serbia and China signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on space technology cooperation on 5 June 2020. The MoU includes a provision for the joint development of a Sino-Serbian satellite.

• EIB Group to contribute €1.7 billion to the EU's Covid-19 response package for the Western Balkans

  Contribution by the EU bank is part of the EU support package for the Western Balkans worth €3.3 billion To provide long-term support, the EIB is building a pipeline of projects worth €2.3 billion...

• The British Council initiative: Coding across the Western Balkans

  Computer coding is revolutionising primary schools in the Western Balkans.

• Balkan Barometer: 80% of Western Balkans managers consider digital skills very important for doing businesses

  “Benefits of digital technologies are multi-fold. Not only they can generate greater benefits from macroeconomic perspective but could also ease procedures and make borders less visible, processes less...

• RCC presents its new “Western Balkans Youth Lab” Project: It’s time to change– young people should take the lead

  Acting by example: 20% of RCC employees are young people - 5 joining us in the past 2 months

• Green Agenda and Biological Biodiversity for the Western Balkans as important as all other Development Agendas

  Online Consultations on the Green Agenda for Western Balkans with partners from the region, projects working in this area and the European Commission.

• EU-WB economic policy dialogue: Focus on measures for fiscal, economic and social policy response to the crisis

  Representatives of the EU Member States, the Western Balkans and Turkey, the European Commission and the European Central Bank, as well as representatives of the central banks of the Western Balkans and...

• Zagreb Declaration, 6 May 2020

  The EU-Western Balkans Zagreb summit took place via video conference on 6 May 2020. EU leaders agreed on the Zagreb declaration, with which the Western Balkans partners have aligned themselves.

• EIB earmarks €700 million to help the Western Balkans fight COVID-19

  The European Investment Bank (EIB) group has prepared a package of emergency support measures of €5.2 billion to countries outside the European Union, and according to initial estimates, about €700 million...

• New research projects on Coronavirus include also WB partners

  On 30 January 2020, the European Commission launched a request for expressions of interest entitled “SC1-PHE-CORONAVIRUS-2020: Advancing knowledge for the clinical and public health response to the [COVID...

• EU mobilises immediate support for its Western Balkan partners to tackle coronavirus

  As part of the global response to the coronavirus outbreak, the European Commission has announced up to €38 million in immediate support for the Western Balkans to tackle the health emergency caused by...

• Opening of accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia

  According to Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi: “Opening of accession talks sends a loud and clear message not only to the two countries, but to the Western Balkans as a whole...

• WBC Update on the EU- Western Balkans relations

  2020 seems to be a key year for the EU-Western Balkan relations with the revised methodology steering the enlargement process and opening of the negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. Following...

• [Document Announcement] The European Commission adopted its communication on the revised enlargement methodology : “Enhancing the accession process – A credible EU perspective for the Western Balkans”

  The European Commission put forward a proposal to drive forward the EU accession process, by making it more credible, with a stronger political steer, more dynamic and predictable.

• World Economic Forum’s Competitiveness and Innovation Accelerator in the Western Balkan has been kicked-off

  This is the first regional accelerator in the WEF’s Global Accelerator Network. The Strategic Dialogue on the Western Balkans is a key initiative of the Forum to support the future-oriented agenda that...

• TENDERING: Development of hydropower monitoring methodology, protocol for Albania, N. Macedonia

  The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has published an invitation for expressions of interest for the development of a hydropower monitoring methodology and a monitoring protocol...

• Commissioner Gabriel: Co-operation in the field of innovation between the Western Balkans has produced a positive result

  According to the Commissioner, the Western Balkans are making progress in innovation and technological development. They have reported increased funding, but they need to be even more active in the future...

• 21st Western Balkan Investment Framework (WBIF) Steering Committee met in London 16 and 17 December

  Around 120 participants from the European Commission, Financial Institutions (EIB, EIF, EBRD, CEB, KfW, WBG and AFD), Bilateral Donors from Member States and Norway, the Energy Community Secretariat (...

• 2,5 million Euros of European Union’s support for WB6 economies – a Grant Contract signed in Tirana

  Thanks to the European Union and a Grant Contract that was signed in Tirana, more than 1,200 small and medium companies from all six Western Balkan economies will receive concrete support in the next ...

• 8th Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Platform on Education and Training (3-4 June 2019, Belgrade)

  Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, opened the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Platform on Education and Training in Belgrade, Serbia. ...

• Berlin Process: What’s next for Western Balkans?

  The Berlin Process is now in its second four-year term. Undoubtedly relevant and proving its utility, it continues to be the driver for change in the Balkans and to be catalyst for greater cooperation...

• [Document Announcement] Ministerial meeting on science & research: "Trieste Declaration on Science" adopted

  ‘Trieste Declaration on Science’ paves the way for 17 countries in south-east Europe to boost participation in Horizon Europe and strengthen international research cooperation The Ministers of...

• Upcoming Policy Brief in Sarajevo: “Regional cooperation in the Western Balkans – is there a civil society pillar?”

  Institute for Democracy “Societas Civilis” Skopje, coordinator of the Southeast European Think Net Network (SEE Think Net) is hosting a presentation of the publication “Regional cooperation in the...

• Start of the 11th edition of the European Fund for the Balkan's Fellowship Programme for Government Officials from the WB

  The 11th generation of Fellows that have been selected to participate in the European Fund for the Balkan’s Fellowship Programme for Government Officials from the Western Balkans: 'Supporting Excellence...

• [Event Review] Western Balkans Summit in Poznań

  Western Balkans Summit 2019: Heads of Government, Foreign Ministeres, Ministers of Economy and Interior from the Western Balkans, together with their counterparts from several EU Member States and high...

• Global challenges need global solutions - the view of Montenegro's Science Minister Damjanovic at R&I Days

  Montenegro’s Science Minister Sanja Damjanovic addressed the European Research and Innovation Days  in Brussels on September 25.

• [Event Review] - Start of the SEEIIST Design Phase

  Organised on September 18th,  this event aimed at informing the public about the advancements of the SEEIIST project at a decisive moment when it passes from the phase of conception to the phase ...

• Conclusions of the 3rd Western Balkans Research and Innovation meeting held in Sarajevo on March 26-27, 2019

  The third Western Balkans Research and Innovation meeting was organised in Sarajevo on March 26-27, 2019 within the framework of the European Commission’s Support for the Steering Platform (SP) on Research...

• [Event Review] 3rd Research and Innovation Meeting, Sarajevo 26-27 March 2019

  The third Western Balkans Research and Innovation meeting took place in Saraejvo on March 26-27, 2019 within the framework of the European Commission’s Support for the Steering Platform (SP) on Research...

• [Event Announcement] Western Balkans Research and Innovation Meeting in Sarajevo

  Next technical R&I meeting of the Western Balkans Steering Platform on Research and Innovation will be held in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 26-27 March 2019.

• Montenegro - Doctoral scholarships, grants and awards for scientific achievements presented at an official ceremony

  Minister of Science, Dr. Sanja Damjanović, presented today the scholarships for doctoral research, grants for innovative projects and European Social Survey and awards for scientific achievements in 2018...

• Second Update on the Regional Strategy for Sustainable Hydropower in the Western Balkans

  The Study conclusions on the inventories of hydropower plants are based on the data provided by key stakeholders up to the beginning of 2017.

• Updates on the Multi-Annual Action Plan (MAP) for a Regional Economic Area (REA) in the WB6

  The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) hosted a working breakfast of the Western Balkans Foreign Ministers and the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes...

• [Event Review] - 13th BLED STRATEGIC FORUM

  This yearly international conference took place on 10-11 September 2018 having as main theme and goal that of "Bridging the Divide". It turned out to be the largest and richest Forum in terms of content...

• Competitiveness and Innovation in the Western Balkans: Interview with Jakob Fexer (OECD)

  Mr. Jakob Fexer is a Project Manager in the OECD South East Europe (SEE) regional programme which recently released the OECD flagship publication Competitiveness in South East Europe: A Policy Outlook...

• Western Balkans Summit in London – building stronger links within the region and with the EU

  At the London Summit on the Western Balkans, the EU continued to strengthen cooperation with the region, with a clear commitment and concrete measures, focussing on the three key areas of cooperation: ...

• [Event Review]: 7th Meeting of the Western Balkans Platform on Education and Training

  The seventh meeting of the Western Balkans Platform on Education and Training included the Ministers of Science and education as well as key representatives from all WB6 governments. The event was...

• [Document Announcement] Harnessing the potential: Research Capacity in the Western Balkans

  A new study was made available. It concerns the research capacity of higher education institutions in the Western Balkans .  

• European Commission launches Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans

  At the Digital Assembly in Sofia - Bulgaria (25th June 2018), the European Commission has launched the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans.

• Commissioners Navracsics and Moedas to host Western Balkans ministerial in Brussels on June 25 and 26!

  On Monday, 25 June, and Tuesday, 26 June, Education and Research Ministers from the Western Balkans will be in Brussels for the annual ministerial meeting of the Western Balkans Platforms on Education...

• EU-Western Balkans summit: improving connectivity and security in the region

  Today's summit between the leaders of the European Union and the Western Balkans partners in Sofia confirmed the European perspective of the region and set out a number of concrete actions to strengthen...

• EU and Western Balkans Summit: Strengthening cooperation at all levels to support the region’s transformation

  On May, 17th the EU – Western Balkans Summit in Sofia reaffirmed the EU's commitment towards its Western Balkans partners, reiterating the region's belonging to the European family. The Summit has set...

• Mogherini concludes her Western Balkans visit in Serbia after visiting Tirana, Skopje and Podgorica

  Concluding her Western Balkans visit on 19 April in Serbia – after visiting Tirana, Skopje and Podgorica – Federica Mogherini sent a message reaffirming the real and tangible EU perspective of the entire...

• EC adopted its annual Enlargement Package: the reports on the Western Balkans are now published

  The Enlargement Package includes countries' individual reports and are aimed at assessing the implementation of the European Union's enlargement policy which is based on established criteria and fair ...

• Main results from the European Council on 22 March 2018 - conclusions on the Western Balkans

  The spring European Council focused on economic affairs, in particular on trade. Heads of state or government also looked at a number of other pressing issues, including the Salisbury attack, Turkey, ...

• Main results from the European Council on 22 March 2018 - conclusions on the Western Balkans

  The spring European Council focused on economic affairs, in particular on trade. Heads of state or government also looked at a number of other pressing issues, including the Salisbury attack, Turkey, ...

• [Event Announcement] Smart Specialisation and Technology Transfer as Innovation Drivers for Regional Growth

  The conference is organised by the European Commission European Commission under the auspices of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. A particular geographic focus lies on South-east...

• [Event Review] Monitoring Committee of the SEE 2020 Strategy Meets

  Vienna - The 5th meeting of SEE 2020 Strategy Monitoring Committee, organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), took place in Vienna on 1 December 2017.

• Multi-Annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans - Map

  The leaders of Western Balkans Six (WB6) endorsed the Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans Six (MAP), at the Berlin-process summit held on 12 July 2017 in ...

• RCC: Joint Working Group on Investments discusses ways to attract and promote region's investment potentials

  Vienna - The Western Balkans Six (WB6) Multi-Action Plan (MAP) for Regional Economic Area (REA) in the area of investments’ policy reform was in the focus of the regular meeting of SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working...

• RCC to present its Balkan Barometer 2017 – a perception survey of citizens and business communities on the situation in the region

  Brussels – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is to present its 3rd edition of the public and business opinion survey – Balkan Barometer 2017 in Brussels, Belgium, on 9 October 2017.  The ...

• [Event Announcement] Regional Conference on Public Service Delivery across the Western Balkans on “Initiatives and Innovations towards the EU

  The Regional School of Public Administration (RESPA) is organizing the Regional Conference on Public Service Delivery across the Western Balkans on “Initiatives and Innovations towards the EU”, in Tirana...

• [Event Announcement and Call for Papers] 6th International Conference on European Studies (ICES’17) "Local, Regional and Global Governance"

  Epoka University in Tirana, Albania, organizes the 6th International Conference on European Studies (ICES'17). The conference titled ‘Local, regional and global governance’ will be held on 5-6 November...

• [Event Review] Skopje Hosted Regional Scientific Conference Titled “Researching Social Enterprise Developments in the Balkans”

  The conference was held on 17 and 18 November 2016, as part of the RRPP-funded project Balkan Social Enterprise Research Network.

• [Event Review] 9th Balkan Energy Finance Forum 2016

  The 9th Balkan Energy Finance Forum is the successful conference delivered once again by EEL Events. A great meeting where decision makers within the region and from the rest of Europe had the chance ...

• [Event Review] 9th ReSPA Annual Conference: Optimization of Public Administration in Western Balkans region

  The Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA) has finished its 9th Annual Conference devoted to discussions on experiences, methodologies, lessons learned, and innovative practices in the process...

• Progress made in Science, Research and Education: Report 2016 - Serbia

  Chapter 25: Science and research. The EU provides significant support for research and innovation. All Member States can benefit from the EU’s research programmes, especially where there is specific excellence...

• Progress made in Science, Research and Education: Report 2016 - Montenegro

  Chapter 25: Science and research. The EU provides significant support to research and innovation. All Member States can benefit from the EU’s research programmes, especially where there is scientific ...

• Progress made in Science, Research and Education: Report 2016 - the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

  Chapter 25: Science and research.  The EU provides significant support to research and innovation. All Member States can benefit from the EU’s research programmes, the more so where there is scientific...

• Progress made in Science, Research and Education: Report 2016 - Kosovo*

  Education and research: Preparations in education and research are at an early stage. During the reporting period, there has been no progress in the area of education and some progress in the area of ...

• Progress made in Science, Research and Education: Report 2016 - Bosnia and Herzegovina

  Education and research: preparations on education and research and innovation policy are at an early stage. There was some progress in these sectors. Bosnia and Herzegovina actively participated in different...

• Progress made in Science, Research and Education: Report 2016 - Albania

  Chapter 25: Science and research. The EU provides significant support for research and innovation. All Member States can benefit from the EU’s research programmes, especially where there is scientific...

• Key findings of the 2016 Report on Serbia

  Each year the Commission adopts its "Enlargement package" - a set of documents explaining its policy on EU enlargement and reporting on progress achieved in each country. This article includes the key...

• Key findings of the 2016 Report on Montenegro

  Each year the Commission adopts its "Enlargement package" - a set of documents explaining its policy on EU enlargement and reporting on progress achieved in each country. This article includes the key...

• Key findings of the 2016 Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

  Each year the Commission adopts its "Enlargement package" - a set of documents explaining its policy on EU enlargement and reporting on progress achieved in each country. This article includes the key...

• Key findings of the 2016 Report on Kosovo*

  Each year the Commission adopts its "Enlargement package" - a set of documents explaining its policy on EU enlargement and reporting on progress achieved in each country. This article includes the key...

• Key findings of the 2016 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina

  Each year the Commission adopts its "Enlargement package" - a set of documents explaining its policy on EU enlargement and reporting on progress achieved in each country. This article includes the key...

• Key findings of the 2016 Report on Albania

  Each year the Commission adopts its "Enlargement package" - a set of documents explaining its policy on EU enlargement and reporting on progress achieved in each country. This article includes the key...

• 2016 Enlargement Package: credible enlargement process key to driving transformation and anchoring stability in Southeast Europe

  [EC press release: IP/16/3613] The European Commission adopted on November 9, 2016 its annual Enlargement Package. It assesses where the countries of the Western Balkans and Turkey stand in implementing...

• RCC with Western Balkan economies presented regional Open Science agenda at 4th EU meeting on Scientific Information

  Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and representatives of seven Western Balkan economies presented their draft plan of activities for the next period and the latest developments in the field of Open Science...

• [Event Review] Conference “Balkan Connexion: Dialogue on a Western Balkans Regional Alumni Association” held in Podgorica

  The conference “Balkan Connexion: Dialogue on a Western Balkans Regional Alumni Association” was organised by the European Commission in Podgorica on 3 and 4 November.

• WB6 Advocacy Group Announces its Next Steps

  After launching the WB6 Advocacy Group at the meeting on September 29th 2016, in Belgrade, and its online platform on October 20th2016, in the period of next three months numerous activities are going...

• ESAP Project: Western Balkan's Public Employment Services Agree on Concrete Actions to Enhance Their Work

  Representatives of public employment services (PES) of the Western Balkan economies agreed on concrete steps and actions envisaging future cooperation under the Employment and Social Affairs Platform (...

• Western Balkans Fund starts work in Tirana

  Western Balkan countries have built a new bridge of regional and cross-border cooperation through the establishment of the Western Balkan Fund, (WBF), based on the model and principles of the International...

• [Press Release] Connection, Communication, Cooperation in South East Europe

  These are the topics discussed at informal SEECP Foreign Affairs Ministers’ meeting in New York on 22 September 2016.

• [Event Announcement & Call for Participants] Europe- Western Balkans Youth Meeting "Connecting Youth Work and Youth Policy" - Deadline: 24 August 2016

  The Europe-Western Balkans Youth Meeting "Connecting Youth Work and Youth Policy" will take place in Ljubljana on 25-29 September 2016 and aims at following-up the recommendations of the Western Balkans...

• [Event Review] 5th Meeting of the Western Balkans Platform on Education

  On 27-28 June 2016, the European Commission (EC) organised a two-day meeting with the education ministers of the Western Balkans.

• Western Balkans Platform on Education held in Sarajevo: More investment in education needed

  SARAJEVO – A two-day Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Platform on Education and Training started on June 27 in Sarajevo, announced the Delegation of the EU to BiH.

• RCC and ILO to launch ‘Employment and Social Affairs Platform’ Project

  The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) are launching on 29 June 2016 the “Employment and Social Affairs Platform” (ESAP) project at a one day Conference...

• [Call for Abstracts] 7th Balkan – Black Sea international conference “Days of Clusters” - Deadline: 1 June 2016

  Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje in partnership with the National Center for Development of Innovation and Entrepreneurial Learning in Skopje and...

• [Event Review] 1st Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR)

  On 12 and 13 May 2016, more than 600 participants attended in Dubrovnik (Croatia) the 1st Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), jointly organised by the European Commission...

• Enhanced cooperation needed between Visegrad Group & Western Balkans

  The refugee crisis and the fight against terrorism have made the EU and Western Balkans realise first-hand how interdependent we have become. Now is the time for enhanced engagement with the Western Balkans...

• [Event Review] ​Policy Dialogue meeting with DG NEAR on “Migration and refugee flows through the Western Balkan region: implications for the enlargement process” in Trieste at CEI HQ

  “In a context of deteriorating expectations of the EU candidate countries towards the enlargement process, the refugee crisis in the Balkans has contributed to broadening the communication channels, reconnecting...

• [Event Review]: RCC: Second meeting on donor coordination in the Western Balkans

  The Second meeting on Donor Coordination in the Western Balkans, organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), took place on March 23rd in Sarajevo. The meeting brought together all the major donors...

• [Event review] - Workshop for 'enlargement countries' (WBCs and Turkey) on EU acquis on Research and Innovation (chapter 25)

  The workhop, that aimed at discussing on the participation in Horizon 2020 and the preparation in view of such Programme was organised by the EC Directorate-General Research and Innovation (Unit International...

• [Event Review] Panel Discussion | Western Balkans: Energizing the Enlargement Process by Solving Bilateral Disputes

  As s follow-up event of the Western Balkans Summit Vienna 2015, a Panel discussion on Western Balkans Energizing the Enlargement Process by Solving Bilateral Disputes took place in Vienna on April 26th...

• RCC call for proposals - 300.000 EUR for projects supporting implementation of the SEE 2020 Strategy

  The Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat (RCC) is seeking proposals for the implementation of the South East Europe 2020 (SEE 2020) Strategy with financial assistance from the RCC Small Grants Instrument...

• [Call Announcement] ADRION – FIRST CALL FOR PROPOSALS IS OPEN!

  The Interreg V B Adriatic Ionian – ADRION Programme - has launched the first call for proposals, which will be open from 1 February 2016 to 25 March 2016  (at 17:00h CET). The programme's geographical...

• BalkanMed Info Days on the 1st Call for proposals to be organised in Skopje and Tirana in February 2016

  The Managing Authority of European Territorial Cooperation Programmes and the National Authorities of the countries participating in the BalkanMed Cooperation Programme are organising Info Days on the...

• Call for proposals inviting comments to draft Actions under Multi-Country IPA II 2016

  The European Commission has designed and delivered drafts of parts of Actions envisaged to be implemented under Multi-Country IPA programme in 2016 to the national IPA coordinators and requested comments...

• [Call Announcement] 1st Call for Project Proposals now open: INTERREG Balkan-Mediterranean 2014-2020

  Applicants are invited to submit their Project Proposals targeting one of the Specific Objectives of the Programme between 16 December 2015 and 15 April 2016.

• [Event Review] RCC boosting competitiveness in South East Europe

  Ministers for Economic Affairs of the Western Balkans gathered on December 9, 2015 for a conference in Budva and expressed their commitment to continue regional cooperation based on principles of accountability...

• WISE established - Western Balkans gets Research and Innovation Centre

  The RCC reports: Western Balkans ministers of science signed on September 18 in Split an agreement on establishment of the Western Balkans Research and Innovation Centre (WISE), gathering Albania, Bosnia...

• [Event Review] - High-level Stakeholder Conference on the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region

  Preparations have reached a milestone for a brand new macro-regional strategy to support cooperation among 8 countries in the Adriatic and Ionian region (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Albania, Bosnia...

• SEE 2020 strategy dependable mechanism of regional economic growth (Interview to Goran Svilanović)

  The region of South East Europe (SEE) may progress only if we work together diligently on transforming our economies into more open, competitive and interconnected ones, said the Secretary General of ...

• Region’s ministers adopted South East Europe 2020 strategy for creating 1 million jobs in the region

  The RCC’s South East Europe (SEE) 2020 strategy was adopted today in Sarajevo this Thursday, at the Ministerial Conference of the South East Europe Investment Committee. Creation of one million new...

• Western Balkan Countries Develop Joint Strategy for Innovation-Based Economic Growth

  The Western Balkans Regional Research and Development (R&D) Strategy for Innovation was adopted on October 25th, in Zagreb by the ministers of science from the region during the ministerial meeting...

• RCC to present South East Europe 2020 strategy for creating 1 million jobs in the region

   The first draft of the South East Europe (SEE) 2020 strategy for creating one million new jobs in the regionis to be presented in Skopje today, 10th September 2013. The document is being prepared...