All news related to Green Deal | WB Green Agenda | Sustainable Development

• Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership Newsletter - December 2023

  Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership Newsletter - December 2023

• Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership decides on first batch of co-funded projects

  Nineteen projects are selected for funding in response to the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership’s first co-funded call ‘The way forward: a thriving sustainable blue economy for a brighter future.’

• Highlighting recent activities of Riinvest: First Annual Economic Forum, Stakeholder Forum and many more

  Inaugural Annual Economic Forum The First Annual Economic Forum, an annual brand event of Riinvest Institute was successfully launched in an engaged debate of over 70 participants coming from institutions...

• Aligning national-regional and EU priorities in the areas of Digital Transformation, Green Transition and Healthy Societies

  POLICY ANSWERS is building bridges between national/regional priorities and the EU priorities, and providing support for the Western Balkans’ inclusion in relevant EU initiatives and platforms, such as...

• Fund for Innovations and Technology Development presented its plans on the international conference "Core Days 2023: Growing Smart and Green: Local, Regional, European"

  Festim Halili, Director General at the Fund for Innovations and Technology Development (FITD) was a panelist at the international conference "Core Days 2023: Growing Smart and Green: Local, Regional, ...

• POLICY ANSWERS participated in a UN-ECE Transformative Innovation Network meeting

  The network was introduced by UN-ECE and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) to stakeholders on 20-21 September 2023 in Przno, Montenegro. It aims to create value through supporting evidence-based...

• Green Transformation [Parallel Session 2, POLICY ANSWERS Conf. 2023 Sarajevo]

  Group of Speakers: Ariane Blum, CEO, European Partnership: Water4all - Water Security for Planet, France Marv Barbullushi, Expert on Green Agenda for the Western Balkans Programme Department, ...

• Panel Discussions: Solutions to the Challenges [Parallel Session 2, POLICY ANSWERS Conf. 2023 Sarajevo]

  Based on ideas and perspectives gathered during the first parallel session, the discussion continued in the second parallel session on each thematic fields. Find more information on the panel discussions...

• Closing Remarks: Reflecting on the Conference [POLICY ANSWERS Conf. 2023 Sarajevo]

  Speakers: Green: Miroslav Veskovic, Professor and Former Rector, University of Novi Sad, Serbia and Former Senior Expert at EC JRC Digital: Bojana Bajic, Digital Transformation of Public Administration...

• GREEN TRANSFORMATION: Green Deal - A Transformative Opportunity for the Western Balkans Economy [Parallel session 1, POLICY ANSWERS Conf. 2023 Sarajevo]

  World Café Discussions Table 1: Decarbonisation Challenges: Climate, Energy and Soil Facilitator: Danijela Bozanic, Consultant and former Head of Climate Change Division at the Ministry ...

• Focused Exchanges: World Cafe Discussions & Meetings with European Partnerships’ Representatives [Parallel Session 1, POLICY ANSWERS Conf. 2023 Sarajevo]

  Based on the World Café format, participants had the possibility to join discussions on key challenges and essential instruments used for aligning priorities in small table groups. Each group changed ...

• Overview of the Western Balkans Region on its Pathway to Implement the Green and Digital Agenda as well as Health Policy [POLICY ANSWERS Conf. 2023 Sarajevo; Plenary Session 1]

  The first plenary session hosted various presentations from key speakers establishing a basis for further discussions on the key pathways. From left to right: Nikola Radovanovic, Claudio Belis, ...

• POLICY ANSWERS major events: Conference on Aligning Priorities in the Western Balkans and two workshops successfully organised

  POLICY ANSWERS organised its major conference in Sarajevo in September 2023 under the umbrella of a whole series of events: the conference "Policy Dialogue on Aligning Priorities in the Western Balkans...

• 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...

• Opportunity to join the pilots of an already funded Horizon project: Pre-announcement of the FOODITY pilot development programme

  Foodity will run a 2M€ pilot development programme to fund 12 innovative data-driven solutions for food and nutrition respectful of users’ personal data sovereignty. Participants will be selected through...

• SmartWB Project Hosts Theme-Based Training on Climate-Smart Urban Development in Niš

  From June 14th to 16th, 2023, the University of Niš and the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture of Niš hosted a theme-based training as part of the SmartWB project. The training focused on capacity...

• Event Report: SmartWB workshop on climate-friendly and innovative solutions addresses current and future challenges

  The Workshop on climate-friendly and innovative solutions, part of the Erasmus+ project SmartWB (Curricula Innovation in Climate-Smart Urban Development based on Green and Energy Efficiency with the Non...

• The next station of the "Green Talks" series supported by POLICY ANSWERS: Decarbonisation and the Carbon Tax

  Riinvest Institute organised an insightful discussion on "Decarbonisation and the Carbon Tax" as part of the "Green Talks" series supported by Policy Answers project.

• Results of the POLICY ANSWERS capacity building activities on innovation management related to the blue economy in Albania

  The “POLICY ANSWERS” project has recently completed a capacity-building activity to help the development of the 'Blue Economy’ in Albania. This initiative aligns with ongoing work on the topic including...

• POLICY ANSWERS Capacity building workshops successfully held in Belgrade and in Novi Sad on "Building Business Sector Capacities for Green Transition"

  As part of the POLICY ANSWERS, the Mihajlo Pupin Institute, in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Vojvodina, organized workshops...

• Save the date! POLICY ANSWERS Conference: Policy Dialogue on Aligning priorities in the Western Balkans

  Be part of the journey towards envisioning the future for the Western Balkans, where aligning priorities with EU standards sets the stage for sustainable growth and development! Mark on your ...

• RIINVEST Institute Empowers Projects for the Implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans

  In the framework of the activities for the implementation of the project POLICY ANSWERS as well as the platform "Green Action Space" (RIINVEST & KFOS), during this week a workshop and discussion with...

• EU Mission Soil Manifesto

  The Manifesto highlights the urgent need for action to protect soil health. It represents a key step for further local engagement by mobilising regions, municipalities, organisations, businesses, schools...

• Green Business Accelerator Programme in North Macedonia - Get in touch!

  The green business accelerator program is a free training and mentoring program designed to assist so-called green entrepreneurs in developing sustainable circular business models. Participants in the...

• [EU Knowledge Valorisation Week 2023] No place like home: community engagement for sustainable solutions

  Daniel van den Buuse, Associate Professor at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Antonis Papanikolaou, Business Partner of QUE Technologies shared their thought on how best engage citizens in...

• [EU Knowledge Valorisation Week 2023] Step into a new era with the guiding principles for knowledge valorisation

  The EU Knowledge Valorisation Week 2023 has been opened on 25 April 2023 by Marc Lemaître, Director General of DG Research & Innovation, followed by a discussion with Pia Erkinheimo, Director of the...

• Blue Economy / Mission Oceans stakeholders in Albania: register now for the POLICY ANSWERS Innovation Management workshop

  First come, first served for the places (they are free, but limited): POLICY ANSWERS announces the first of 2 workshops on Innovation Management in the Blue Economy to be held in Tirana on April 20 (9...

• Planning for Citizen Participation in Mission Ocean & Waters - online event series

  Learn how to design a project or programme of activities to align with the citizen engagement targets of the EU's Mission Ocean and Waters PREP4BLUE is running a spring/summer webinar series titled...

• Net-Zero Industry Act: Making the EU the home of clean technologies manufacturing and green jobs

  Today, the Commission proposed the Net-Zero Industry Act to scale up manufacturing of clean technologies in the EU and make sure the Union is well-equipped for the clean-energy transition. This initiative...

• Pact for Skills: Launch of large-scale renewable energy skills partnership

  Renewable energy trade associations and representatives of installers of clean technologies, with the support of the European Commission, have set up a large-scale skills partnership for the renewable...

• EU R&I contribution to the UN 2023 Water Conference

    The first UN Water Conference since 1977 takes place on 22-24 March, in New York. It will be a crucial step for the Midterm Comprehensive Review of Implementation of SDG-6 Water and Sanitation...

• Interview with Pascal Lamy, Chair of the Mission Board of EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters": Involvement and challanges of the Western Balkans

  Mr. Pascal Lamy, former European Commissioner for Trade and Director General of the World Trade Organisation from 2005-2013 is Chair of the Mission Board of EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters...

• Call for Participation: Consultation on 2023 Call Priorities - Driving Urban Transitions (DUT European Partnership)

  Have a say on the DUT call 2023 priorities The Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) European Partnership invites all relevant stakeholders to join in the open stakeholder consultation for the DUT Calls ...

• [Call Announcement] Call for EU Green Week 2023 Partner Events

  The EU Green Week 2023 Partner Events are about the European Year Of Skills towards a net-zero industry with the EU Industrial Strategy Are you planning an event between 3-11 June, related to the topics...

• Commission launches new calls worth over €600 million to support research and innovation under EU Missions

  Following the adoption of the Horizon Europe 2023-2024 work programme, the European Commission has launched new calls for 2023 worth over €600 million to support research and innovation under the five...

• Upcoming Workshop in Albania on Innovation Management in the Blue Economy

  The Blue Economy has been highlighted as a important sector for Albania offering the potential for economic growth, new jobs and prosperity. As part of the Policy Answers capacity building activities...

• [Call Announcement] Supporting Socially Conscious Innovators: Introducing the New European Bauhaus Booster 2.0

  Five Knowledge and Innovation Communities of the EIT are launching the New European Bauhaus Booster 2.0 today. On a mission to foster the New European Bauhaus transformation, EIT Digital...

• 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...

• [Call Announcement] WB6 CIF Open call for regional competition for Western Balkans companies

  WB6 CIF invites the companies from Western Balkans Six (WB6) region to participate in Open call for regional competition Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF) is a joint initiative...

• OECD and EU launch project to reinforce competitiveness and sustainability in the Western Balkans and Türkiye

  30/11/2022 – The OECD South East Europe Regional Programme and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement are launching a four-year project in the Western Balkans (...

• Inno Fab Lab, first Laboratory for production and prototyping in Republic of North Macedonia

  In May 2022 the first Laboratory for production and prototyping INNO FAB LAB was open within the Faculty of Technology and Mettalurgy in Skopje. Under the mentorship of academic professors and experts...

• [Call Announcement] New European Bauhaus: applications open for the 2023 Prizes

  Starting today, the Commission is opening applications for the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023. Following the successful last two editions that received over 3,000 entries from all EU Member States, ...

• EU to invest €13.5 billion in research and innovation for 2023-2024

  The Commission has adopted today the main Horizon Europe work programme 2023-24, with around €13.5 billion to support researchers and innovators in Europe to pursue breakthrough solutions for environmental...

• 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...

• Pre-publication of Horizon Europe annual Work Programmes 2023-2024

  The funding opportunities available under Horizon Europe are defined every year in the corresponding annual work programme.  The work programmes for 2023-2024 have been pre-published. Pre-publication...

• Horizon Europe Info Days and Brokerage Events upcoming!

  The EU research and innovation programme 2021 - 2027 The Horizon Europe info days give to prospective applicants and other stakeholders of EU research and innovation the opportunity to get information...

• [Call Announcement] Workshop: MOVING FORWARD - Digital youth work in the Western Balkan region

  Seminar 13-14 December 2022 | Ljubljana, Slovenia A two-day workshop aiming at stimulating the development of digital youth work in the Western Balkan region. MOVING FORWARD – is a series...

• [Document Announcement] Berlin Declaration reaffirms regional energy cooperation in Western Balkans

  At the Berlin summit, the leaders of the Western Balkans adopted the Declaration on Energy Security and Green Transition, which emphasized the commitment of the countries of the region to improving cooperation...

• POLICY ANSWERS on EU Initiatives and synergies for a smart and green future – the way ahead

  The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans is seen as a new growth strategy for the region, leaping from traditional to sustainable economy. The panelists debated the main reasons behind the challenges ...

• Berlin Process Summit: EU announces €1 billion energy support package for the Western Balkans and welcomes new agreements to strengthen the Common Regional Market

  On 3 November 2022, President Ursula von der Leyen, and High Representative Josep Borrell participated in the Western Balkans Summit in the context of the Berlin Process. During the Summit and as advanced...

• EU earmarks grants for Western Balkans to cope with energy crisis in 2023

  European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised budget aid to the Western Balkans for measures to mitigate the blow from the energy crisis on vulnerable households as well as for businesses...

• [Video Announcement] POLICY ANSWERS Special Panel Session at the Economic Conference in Montenegro 2022

  POLICY ANSWERS supported a special panel session entitled ‘EU Initiatives and synergies for a smart and green future’ at the regional Economic Conference Montenegro 2022. The Chamber of Commerce ...

• Upcoming Horizon Europe calls addressing the Green Deal

  The upcoming calls in the Horizon Europe programme for 2023 and 2024 are not yet fully approved and are thus not available yet. But the Science|Business team has published some Horizon Europe draft work...

• EU projects to support the bioeconomy

  In October 2022, the European Commission published a factsheet about R&I as a key driver in accelerating the transition towards a sustainable and circular bioeconomy. The factsheet "Research and Innovation...

• EU initiatives to support the digital transformation of the energy system

  The European Commission’s ‘Action plan on the digitalisation of the energy system’ lays the groundwork for building an integrated energy system that can support the growing interconnectedness of the market...

• EBRD Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF) in Western Balkans

  Green economy investments are beneficial to you, the economy and the environment. The EBRD Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF) in Western Balkans provides finance for green economy investments...

• Niš starts development of Energy Transition Roadmap until 2050

  The Roadmap will include strategies for decarbonization and will be aligned with the European Commission’s Energy Union initiative and the principles of the Covenant of Mayors.

• What the Enlargement Package says on the Green Agenda

  The European Commission's "Enlargement package", adopted in October 2022, provides a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by the Western Balkans and Türkiye on their respective...

• POLICY ANSWERS supporting special Panel Session on ‘EU Initiatives and synergies for a smart and green future’

  POLICY ANSWERS is supporting a special panel session entitled ‘EU Initiatives and synergies for a smart and green future’ at the upcoming regional Economic Conference Montenegro 2022. The Chamber of...

• First call of the Interreg Danube Region Programme 2021-2027 just launched!

  The first call of the Interreg Danube Region Programme 2021-2027 was just launched and is seeking ideas to make the DanubeRegion smarter, greener, more social & to improve regional governance for ...

• How will climate change affect the yield and price of wheat?

  An EU-backed study claims that climate change will raise wheat prices and hit yield harder in certain areas around the world. Wheat is a particularly important source of nutrition globally. It provides...

• [Call Announcement] European Biodiversity Partnership launches a new research call on transnational biodiversity monitoring

  The European Biodiversity Partnership Biodiversa+, co-funded by the European Union, has launched a call for research proposals on “Improved transnational monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem change...

• [Event Announcement] Training for water entrepreneurs - How to get funding for your water innovation (registration fee)

  EIT Community Water Scarcity is hosting a series of live, interactive training courses with international experts. There are three sessions available on a first come, first serve basis: 13, ...

• [Call Announcement] EU Soil Mission: €95 million and other Calls currently open !

  The European Commission is looking for strategies for land decontamination and reuse, and innovative ideas on how to implement carbon-farming practices. The deadline to apply is 27 September 2022. ...

• [Document Announcement] Summary of the 13th Days of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAAS)

  The 13th Days of  Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAAS), the largest annual scientific and educational conference in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was held in Sarajevo...

• Pre Announcement of the first Driving Urban Transitions Call

  Driving Urban Transitions – Sustainable future for cities Driving Urban Transitions to a Sustainable Future (DUT) is the new programme of JPI Urban Europe starting in 2022. The DUT Partnership steps...

• 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...

• [Call Announcement] Call for proposals for 70 CrAFt Cities

  New European Bauhaus transformations towards climate-neutral, beautiful and inclusive cities The European Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities is leading the way for urban climate neutrality...

• [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...

• Limited progress on environmental and climate protection in the Western Balkans

  The Western Balkans made some improvements in aligning environmental and climate monitoring, as well as reporting legislation with EU standards. Implementation, however, is patchy, concludes a JRC report...

• [Project Announcement] Global capacity-building programme for Safeguarding Intangible Heritage (UNESCO)

  Capacity building is one of the five functions that UNESCO performs to fulfil its mandate. As such, one of the top priorities for implementing the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible...

• [Call Announcement] Join the free UNESCO MOOC on living heritage and sustainable development!

  How is intangible cultural heritage – or ‘living heritage’ - related to sustainable development? How is it relevant for addressing today’s development challenges in areas such as health, education, gender...

• [Event Announcement] Application Open for Scholarships for Organics Europe Youth Event 2022: deadline 30 June

  Organics Europe Youth Event in a nutshell The Organic Europe’s Youth Event (OEYE), taking place on 31 August-1 September in Frick, Switzerland, is an event for youth interested and active in organic...

• [Call Announcement] SAF€RA’s 2022 Call for Proposals

  SAF€RA launched its seventh joint call for transnational, collaborative research projects on May 19th 2022 with the participation of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development...

• [Call Announcement] EIT Urban Mobility Scale up programme is looking for 12 urban mobility startups

    The Scale up programme, financed by EIT Urban Mobility, opened up a call to identify the 12 most promising startups with solutions for sustainable urban mobility. The programme aims ...

• [Call Announcement] Danube+ WIL Balkans

  Danube+ WIL Balkans is a multi-phase capacity building and 21st-century bio-based economy acceleration initiative involving 60 young future water leaders who through regional collaboration will increase...

• THE 14th MEETING OF THE SEEIIST STEERING COMMITTEE HELD ON 4 APRIL 2022 IN THESSALONIKI, GREECE

  The 14th meeting of the SEEIIST Intergovernmental Steering Committee (SC) was held on April 4, 2022 in Thessaloniki, Greece. The welcome address was given by representatives of Greece and SEEIIST Steering...

• [Call Announcement] Call - Skilling up the Western Balkans agri-food sector: greening, digitalising - Deadline 15 May

  The ETF’s Skills for Enterprise Development activity in the Western Balkan countries focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) active in the agriculture and food sector. It addresses the skills...

• [Event Announcement] Join the Horizon Europe - EU Missions calls 2022 - Virtual brokerage event!

  Network of Horizon Europe National Contact Points, Bridge2HE, invites you to participate in the virtual networking event in order to find project partners for the forthcoming calls 2022 in Horizon...

• [Event Announcement] Join the EU Missions info days!

  The event will provide specific information on the new Missions’ Work Programme calls, funding opportunities and timelines! The event aims to inform potential applicants about the new topics included...

• Elbasan, Sarajevo and Podgorica are selected among the "Mission cities" to be climate neutral and smart by 2030

  The Commission today announced the 100 EU cities that will participate in the EU Mission for 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030, the so-called Cities Mission. The 100 cities come from all 27...

• [Event Announcement] Commission kick-starts work to make 2022 the European Year of Youth

  Following the announcement made by President von der Leyen in her 2021 State of the Union address, the Commission has adopted its formal proposal to make 2022 the European Year of Youth. Europe needs ...

• [Call Announcement] European Capital of Innovation Awards: 2022 edition kicks off!

  On 3 March the European Commission launched today the eighth edition of the European Capital of Innovation Awards (iCapital).The Awards recognise the role cities play in shaping the local innovation...

• [Call Announcement] European Innovation Procurement Awards: the 2022 edition is open for applications!

  The 2022 journey to award the game changers of European Innovation Procurement has started. The second edition of the European Innovation Procurement Awards (EUIPA) has been launched today by the European...

• [Call Announcement] European Social Innovation Competition 2022: Impact Prize now open for applications!

    On 12 April the European Commission launched the 9th edition of the European Social Innovation Competition (EUSIC) Impact Prize. The Impact Prize 2022 recognises the successful outcome...

• [Call Announcement] Green Talents Forum 2022 now open for applications

  Join a prestigious network of renowned scientists, get to know Germany’s hubs of sustainability research and promote your innovative ideas. The goal of sustainable development is to find a balance between...

• [Event Announcement] Global Gateway: President von der Leyen announces major event on 21-22 June

  The 2022 edition of the European Development Days (EDD) will take place on 21 and 22 June under the theme ‘Global Gateway: building sustainable partnerships for a connected world'. The event will bring...

• [Event Announcement] SAVE THE DATE: 10th International Stakeholder Conference of EUSDR Priority Area 9 "People & Skills"

    SAVE THE DATE! 10th International Stakeholder Conference of EUSDR Priority Area 9 "People & Skills" We are pleased to announce that the 10th International Stakeholder Conference of...

• [Event Announcement] 10th Annual International Conference on Agriculture and Food (registration fee)

  The 10th anniversary edition of the "Agriculture and Food" conference, is to be held on 16-19 August 2022 in Burgas, Bulgaria! "Agriculture and Food" is an international event held annually since 2013...

• [Event Announcement] EU Knowledge Valorisation Week 2022: Join, Discuss, Exchange!

  Registrations is now open for the EU Knowledge Valorisation Week taking place from 29 March to 1 April 2022, with the aim to translate research and innovation results into tangible solutions for a resilient...

• [Event Announcement] European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE) Online May 9-12, 2022

  The European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE) will again be an online conference in 2022. Following an extensive consultation, many regular EUBCE participants support holding this high-level ...

• [Event Announcement] EUSAIR facilitating the enlargement process in the environmental sector

  This workshop will discuss the findings of the study on the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) facilitating the enlargement process of Western Balkans, conducted by OBCT/CeSPI on ...

• [Event Announcement] "PowerGreen" Conference - Digitalization and technology transfer as drivers to low-carbon future

  The “PowerGreen” conference aims to recognize the ICT sector as a key player in the fight against climate change, to inspire companies to invest in the development and deployment of greener digital technologies...

• [Call Announcement] Open Access call of the ELSA and the Nano biotechnology Laboratory (Ideas for the New European Bauhaus)

  Call for cross-boundary proposals for projects to experiment, prototype and demonstrate ideas for the New European Bauhaus. The JRC ELSA Reaction Wall and the Nanobiotechnology Laboratory will serve as...

• Republic of Srpska plans to build solar power plants on abandoned coal mines

  The Republic of Srpska plans to install utility-scale solar power plants on abandoned open pits of coal-mining and power generation complex RiTE Ugljevik, which operates as part of state power utility...

• PowerChina plans to enter European green energy market via Serbia

  Balkan Green Energy News reports that the Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), one of the world’s largest companies by revenue, wants its first European renewable energy investment to...

• [Call Announcement] Job Opening: FREELENCE JOURNALISTS for Balkan Green Energy News

  Balkan Green Energy News, a leading sustainable energy and green economy news portal in the Balkan region, is looking for FREELENCE JOURNALISTS to join the growing team. Both graduates from Serbia and...

• Excessive air pollution registered in 15 Serbian cities in 2020

  At 15 locations in ten cities in Serbia, the average annual concentrations of PM2.5 particles, which are the most dangerous to human health, were higher than the defined limit in 2020. At 39 locations...

• Minister Mihajlović: Serbia to hold first renewables auction in December

  Serbia will hold its first auctions for premiums for electricity from wind power and solar power plants in December, while a three-year schedule of renewable energy auctions will be unveiled by the end...

• [Event Announcement] 10th Anniversary of the Ljubljana Forum on the Future of Cities

  Ljubljana Forum is an annual gathering that combines knowledge and experience of city governance and defines key areas, visions and strategies of the future development of cities. The objectives of the...

• Republic of Srpska’s draft law on renewables

  The Republic of Srpska’s new draft law on renewable energy sources envisages feed-in tariffs for small power plants with a capacity of up to 150 kW, or up to 500 kW for biomass, biogas, landfill gas, ...

• EC opens consultation on EU Action Plan on restoring sustainable carbon cycles

  On 9 September 2021, the European Commission opened a public consultation on its forthcoming Action Plan on restoring sustainable carbon cycles.

• [Event Announcement] 1st Global Transdisciplinarity Conference: Science Society Collaboration: On the Quest for Sustainable and Cohesive Societies

  Postponed to 2021 as a physical event, the 1st Global Transdisciplinarity Conference commenced in fall 2020 with a series of virtual pre-meetings with a selected group (invitation only) of international...

• [Call Announcement] ProCredit Bank Kosovo invites bids for building, operation of 3 MW solar power plant

  ProCredit Bank Kosovo has invited bids from interested companies to build and operate a 3 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plant in the municipality of Lipjan. The investment will be implemented...

• [Event Announcement] Macedonian Energy Forum

  The Government of North Macedonia ZIP Institute and U.S Embaasy to Skopje are co-organizing the energy forum for the fourth time, showing continuous support for inter-sectoral collaboration in the energy...

• [Event Announcement] 2nd Forum on Solutions for District Heating and Cooling - Toplinarstvo 2021.

  The second in a row Conference Toplinarstvo - Forum on Solutions for District Heating and Cooling. Vukovar is the first Croatian town where a solar heating plant was built, a solution that has been commonly...

• Saudi Arabia to add 3.7 GW in solar power, achieves world’s lowest price

  As Saudi Arabia connected a 300 MW photovoltaic facility to the grid, it revealed deals have just been signed for the construction of seven solar power plants with a combined capacity of almost 3.7 GW...

• Grants and loans for photovoltaics in Montenegro

  Firms and farmers in Montenegro will be able to apply for subsidies of EUR 100,000 in total for renewable energy projects and to get loans of up to EUR 400,000 for photovoltaic systems.

• EPBiH to build solar power plants on coal mines, landfills as it closes them

  The largest state-owned power producer in Bosnia and Herzegovina picked five former open pit coal mines and ash and slag dumps for photovoltaic projects. EPBiH intends to gradually shut down the facilities...

• Serbia enables state agriculture land to be leased for solar, wind projects

  The decree on the leasing of state-owned agricultural land for non-agricultural use, adopted by the Government of Serbia, enables local municipalities to issue public calls for the lease of land for...

• New European Partnerships launched to deliver on the EU's ambitions for the Digital Decade

  To boost research and innovation investments in digital, the Commission has launched new European Partnerships together with industry and academia, under the Horizon Europe programme. The Partnerships...

• [Event Announcement] European Sustainable Phosphorus Conference (incl. registration fee)

  The European Sustainable Phosphorus Conferences are unique events bringing together companies, stakeholders, regional and national authorities, innovation and researchers, to discuss phosphorus and nutrients...

• [Event Announcement] International Festival of Green Culture “Green Fest”

  The International Festival of Green Culture “Green Fest” was founded in 2010, and very quickly became the largest festival in the region of Southeast Europe, which connects activities in the field of ...

• [Event Announcement] UN Climate Change Conference

  The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021. The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards...

• [Event Announcement] RE-Source 2021!

  The RE-Source event is the annual gathering of corporate buyers and clean energy suppliers, where discussions of existing challenges take place and future solutions are born. Join us to learn, share experiences...

• [Event Announcement] Powering Net Zero Conference

  The Energy Institute’s new conference, Powering Net Zero, is designed to discuss ways in which clean electricity and electrification will be essential in reducing emissions globally to net zero.

• [Event Announcement] 1st Regional Hydrogen Energy Conference

  Hydrogen economy is the synonymous for sustainable energy system in which clean hydrogen replaces fossil fuels. We are currently in the best position ever to make progress in climate change adaptation...

• [Event Announcement] The World Hydropower Congress

  The 2021 World Hydropower Congress will be hosted under the patronage of the President of Costa Rica and supported by Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE). Attend the World Hydropower Congress...

• [Event Announcement] The smarter E Industry Days

  3 days, 24 hours: The Smarter E Industry Days offer digital company presences and exciting exhibitor events on all topics of the new energy world. The free online program is complemented by top-class ...

• [Event Announcement] The World Biogas Summit

  This Summit is about how to turn that waste into a valuable resource: how to efficiently capture those organic wastes, recover the valuable gases and nutrients and recycle them in the form of clean energy...

• Montenegro announces coal phaseout by 2035

  Montenegro has joined the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), which promotes coal phaseout and the transition to clean energy, and announced it would stop using coal by 2035 at the latest.

• Nine Western Balkan mayors sign declaration to tackle air pollution

  Nine Western Balkan mayors have signed a declaration to undertake voluntary measures aimed at reducing air pollution in their cities and municipalities, most of which are located in areas with coal mines...

• Mrsovo hydropower project in BiH brought back to life

  More than five years after preparatory works ended, Comsar Energy indicated it would continue to build hydropower plant Mrsovo. The planned capacity of the project on the Lim river in the Republic of ...

• Women in Drina basin have power to solve environmental threats

  Women from the political sphere, scientists, activists, and professionals concluded at a workshop organized by GWP-Med that the Drina river basin has a great potential for the benefit of the society in...

• High interest in renewables in Serbia – new regulation in a nutshell

  On 20 April 2021, the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia adopted four energy laws, including the long-awaited Law on Use of Renewable Energy Sources. The Law comprehensively regulates the most...

• Event review: European Research and Innovation Days

  European Research and Innovation Days is the European Commission’s annual flagship Research and Innovation event, bringing together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs and the public to debate and...

• Peter Altmaier: "We want to support the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans with a special representative"

  Federal Minister of Economics Altmaier is holding talks today with his counterparts from the countries of the Western Balkans and other partners in the “Berlin Process”. The focus is on the Green Agenda...

• Official: Western Balkan countries are ‘milking coal power plants until the bitter end’

  This article is part of EURACTIV's special report Energy transition in the Western Balkans. Disparities between the EU and Western Balkan countries on energy are only getting bigger, with many ...

• [Event Announcement] WB Energy Transition: Fit or fail for the EU?

  As the EU braces for even more ambitious emission reductions through its Fit for 55 plans, we want to show where the WB region stands on the energy transition and whether it is a fitor a fail for the ...

• [Document Announcement] State of implementation 2020

  There are plenty of indications that the Energy Community is not stagnating but actually moving forward on the path of energy transition, and has in some cases passed the point of no return. Without a...

• Launch of Western Balkans Cultural Cooperation Projects

  On 19 May, Commissioner Gabriel took part in the official launch of 13 cultural cooperation projects between the EU and the Western Balkans, where she was joined by Commissioner Várhely. Selected under...

• Hydropower plant operator to install 10 MW solar power plant in BiH

  Hidroelektrane na Vrbasu, a firm owned by power utility Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (ERS), plans to build a solar power plant with a capacity of up to 10 MW.

• Serbia’s coal-fired thermal power plants to keep working until 2050

  Minister of Mining and Energy Zorana Mihajlović said a plan would be developed for the operation of thermal power plants in Serbia until 2050 as new energy production capacities must be sustainable and...

• Western Balkans accelerate energy transition

  The Western Balkans countries are making their first steps in the energy transition. And while these days we are witnessing several significant commitments that power utilities and governments from the...

• [Event Announcement] Horizon Europe Info Days 2021

  The Horizon Europe info days will address 9 themes, each featuring a programme of exclusive discussions and hands-on sessions dedicated to a different cluster or part of the new programme.

• European Commission launches consultations on the list of candidate projects of common interest in smart grids and cross-border CO2 transport networks

  European Commission launches consultations on the list of candidate projects of common interest in smart grids and cross-border CO2 transport networks

• €820M fund set up to boost the commercial prospects of green energy

  Bill Gates is teaming up with EU to finance large scale demonstration projects and boost the commercial prospects of green energy. It is hoped the initiative will attract wider private sector investment...

• [Event Announcement] EU agenda for global forests - Getting the balance right

  The EU engagement in negotiating Forest Partnerships for the period 2022-2027 is expected to deliver on the European Green Deal priorities as well as the EU’s development cooperation objectives, including...

• Barometer of Sustainable Energy Transition

  Experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia have started developing a Barometer of Sustainable Energy Transition, whose purpose is to help monitor progress in the implementation of the...

• Registration for the European Research and Innovation Days 2021 open!

  The European Research and Innovation Days is the European Commission’s annual flagship Research and Innovation event, bringing together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs and the public to debate...

• [Event Announcement] Conferece in Zlatibor on Energetics 2021 - Towards a green recovery

  The term "green growth" or "green economy" is often used for energy transition. In its essence, this process implies a radical transformation of energy based on decarbonization and digitalization. A fair...

• [Call Announcement] Call for papers - 16th SDEWES Conference in Dubrovnik

  The 16th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) is dedicated to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge on methods, policies and technologies for...

• [Event Announcement] 16th SDEWES Conference

  The 16th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) is dedicated to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge on methods, policies and technologies for...

• [Event Announcement] Energy Trading (ETCSEE) conference

  A traders’ conference with a 2-day in-depth programme exploring new markets and the newest technologies in the trading sector, with an exhibition and networking opportunities.

• [Event Announcement] EIT RawMaterials Summit 2021

  By 2050 the demand for critical raw materials will multiply. Mineral resources are the lifeblood of our modern society and the key to a more sustainable future. Today, we are in the middle of disruptive...

• [Event Announcement] "Getting fit for 55 and set for 2050: Electrifying Europe with wind energy"

  The EU wants a highly electrified energy system as the basis for climate neutrality by 2050. And they want wind to be half of Europe’s electricity. That means ruthlessly prioritising the future-proof ...

• [Event Review] - 6th EUSAIR Forum 2021

  EUSAIR Annual Forum and Ministerial meeting rounding up the Slovenian Presidency. The event will offeran opportunity to present the achievements of the past year. Slovenia considersitsPresidencyof the...

• "Communication on a New Approach for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the EU"

  On 17 May 2021, the European Commission has published a 'Communication on a New Approach for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the EU', in the context of achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal...

• [Event Announcement] Restructuring of coal regions: the role of the local communities and trade unions

  In the upcoming decade, coal phase out in Europe is inevitable both in terms of climate and the economic viability of thermal power plants. The proactive role of trade unions and local de‑cision‑makers...

• [Event Announcement] Transforming the Western Balkans’ power system: Robust pathways for a lignite phase-out by 2040

  The Western Balkans region is the last major frontier for new lignite-fired power plants in Europe. Currently, about six Gigawatt of new lignite capacity is being planned – either with Chinese or unclear...

• EC publishes Programme of R&I Days 2021

  The European Commission has published the programme of this year's Research and Innovation Days taking place on 23-24 June.

• Introduction to EU funding opportunities - Recording of the event

  On April 26th, the Clean Energy Transition Unit for the European Commission explored the new funding opportunities to support a wide range of projects at a parallel event on the European Biomass Conference...

• EU agrees on European Climate Law, makes 2050 net zero emissions target legally binding

  The European Union has agreed to make climate neutrality by 2050 a legally binding target and set a target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to the 1990 levels. &...

• Albania ranks best in the WB region on WEF’s Energy Transition Index 2021

  The World Economic Forum (WEF) has said that 92 out of 115 countries tracked by its Energy Transition Index (ETI) have increased their aggregate score over the past 10 years, affirming the positive direction...

• EUBCE 2021 is starting

  We are pleased to announce that EUBCE 2021 is officially larger than ever before! With last-minute registrations still-to-come, we have already surpassed our previous record of 1,500 online delegates...

• First Big Conference on Solar Energy in Serbia – everything is set for solar boom

  The proposed Law on Renewable Energy Sources will finally create the conditions for Serbia to use its solar energy potential, attract investments, reduce environmental pollution and enable citizens and...

• BH & EU The Commission noted positively the good Results BiH has achieved in the EU’s Research and Innovation framework Programme

  The 5th Subcommittee meeting on topics related to Education, Culture, Youth, Research and Innovation, Information Society and Social Policy between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) was held...

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

  EU PRO Plus, a new European Union programme for local development, which aims to contribute to the overall social and economic development of 99 local self-governments 2 in the regions of Šumadija and...

• The European bioeconomy in 2050: four foresight scenarios

  The Commission’s 2020 Strategic Foresight Report mentions the potential of a sustainable bioeconomy, to transform Europe’s agricultural and industrial base and create new jobs, whilst enhancing our natural...

• EBRD and EU support SME competitiveness in Serbia

  EBRD €20 million loan for lending to SMEs, with 50 per cent for green investments Added EU-funded cashback incentive for SMEs worth 15 per cent of the loan amount Collaborating to build a green...

• Location, location, location: How spatial planning can accelerate the renewable energy transition in Southeast Europe

  To accelerate renewables deployment in Southeast Europe, governments and industry should work with environmental NGOs and local communities from the get-go. The latest report by Energy Institute Hrvoje...

• Commission opens first European Innovation Council calls worth €1 billion

  Following the launch of the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the announcement of the first funding opportunities, today the Commission opened the first EIC Accelerator calls. The funding worth over...

• [Call Announcement] Call for Application | Green Talents Award 2021

  The submission period for the Green Talents Competition 2021 is open now. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has held the prestigious “Green Talents – International Forum for...

• Co-designing the New European Bauhaus

  The New European Bauhaus proposes to focus our conversations on the places we inhabit and on our relationship with natural environments, beyond the built space. It is a practical approach to discover ...

• Book launch: how science can help us build a more resilient Europe

  Enhanced data collection, more knowledge sharing and a long-term approach to risk will be key in strengthening Europe’s resilience against future disasters, according to a new book published today by ...

• Commission adopted the first annual work programme of Erasmus+ 2021-2027

  The Commission today adopted the first annual work programme of Erasmus+ 2021-2027.

• City of Kragujevac in Serbia saving energy, promoting green economy

  The City of Kragujevac understood energy efficiency does not only bring budget savings but that it is also an opportunity for environmental protection and job creation. The local authority is also preparing...

• [Event Announcement] Big Conference on Solar Energy in Serbia

  The first major conference on solar energy in Serbia, organized by Balkan Green Energy News, will be held in Belgrade on April 14th. More than 30 leading energy experts and representatives from investors...

• [Document Announcement] Wiiw Policy Briefs and Reports: Value Chain Integration of the Western Balkan Countries and Policy Options for the Post-COVID-19 Period

  In this policy brief, we study the development of trade integration, specifically the participation in global value chains, of the Western Balkan countries.

• The Conference on the Future of Europe gets green light from the Council

  The Council of the EU gave its approval to the joint declaration on the Conference on the Future of Europe, aimed at involving citizens in a wide-ranging debate on Europe's future in the coming decade...

• Women in green business need financial stimulus to show their real strength

  Female entrepreneurship is expanding in Serbia due to its boldness, persistence and creativity, while the state and financial institutions mostly don’t recognize its potential. Furthermore, many female...

• Registrations to Global Innovation Summit 2021 are now open

  The Global Innovation Summit provides an international meeting place for businesses, innovators, researchers and funding experts to network, share knowledge and develop new business ideas. You can also...

• KEP Call for Proposals 2020: six new projects funded by CEI Fund at the EBRD

  With a total contribution of over EUR 220.000, the CEI Fund at the EBRD will enable the realisation of six capacity building projects that will be implemented in the period 2021-2022. These projects...

• ERC kicks off Horizon Europe

  €1.9 billion will be made available by the European Research Council (ERC) in 2021 to allow some 1,000 top researchers to pursue frontier research. As in previous years, most of the funding (66%) is earmarked...

• EU to set up new European Partnerships

  On 23 February 2021, the Commission published a proposal to set up 10 new European Partnerships between the European Union, Member States and/or industry. The partnerships aim to improve and accelerate...

• [Event Announcement] EU Citizens' Interests - The European Green Deal

  To support the European Commission in the implementation of the European Green Deal, the JRC created two sets of indicators drawing from six of the policy areas indicated by the European Commission. The...

• Watch the Science|Business conference videos here

  The Horizon Europe start, a new international research strategy,  EU Presidency plans, epidemic preparedness and more from 3 commissioners, 2 ministers, and many others... all in Science|Business...

• KeepWarm: Supporting modernisation of district heating systems in Central and Eastern Europe

  The KeepWarm project, funded under H2020 Energy Efficiency, worked to accelerate investments to retrofit existing inefficient heat networks, improve system operations, and switch to renewable energy and...

• [Call Announcement] EU Green Week 2021 Partner Events

  The EU Green Week 2021 will take place from 31 May to 4 June 2021, with Partner Events taking place between 3 May to 13 June 2021. This year’s edition ties in with the European Green Deal and the adoption...

• [Event Announcement] EU Green Week 2021

  Pollution affects everybody – through the air we breathe, the water we drink or the land we grow our food on. It is the largest environmental cause of multiple mental and physical diseases, and of premature...

• Ongoing Green Public Procurement Projects with participation from the Western Balkans

  There are few Green Public Procurement Projects with WB participation (based on https://ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/projects_en.htm). These are following:

• Why did Greece decide to establish a national competence centre for innovation procurement?

  Interview with Anastasia Zacharopoulou, Greek Competence Centre for Innovation Procurement

• Green Public Procurement: Case Study: City of Koprivnica refurbishing old Kindergarten building through public procurement of innovation

  A good practice example published in the December edition on the GPP News Alert presents recent work carried out in the City of Koprivnica (Croatia). The example presents the City’s Public Procurement...

• Universities without walls – A vision for 2030

  This seminal document is the result of extensive consultations and deliberations with EUA members and partners over a six-month period in 2020. It sets out a vision of resilient and effective universities...

• [Event Announcement] OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2021 - Insights for EU policy debates

• RCC launches FUTOURISMO, regional competition to boost tourism in the Western Balkans

• [Call Announcement] Call for Applications: Futourismo, Ride the digital waves

  The Regional Cooperation Council and its Triple-P Tourism Project are organizing the first regional FUTOURISMO competition, seeking innovative digital solutions that will help mitigate the negative impact...

• [Call Announcement] Open Call for Research Papers “Impact of COVID-19 on sustainability of Civil Society Organizations in the Western Balkan region”

  Supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, through the Embassy of Japan in Tirana, the Call,  aims to better comprehend the impact of COVID-19 to the activities and functioning...

• #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.

• European Green Deal Call raises high number of proposals under Horizon 2020

  On 27 January, the Commission received 1550 proposals for the €1 billion Green Deal call, demonstrating an impressive response from the research community in Europe and beyond.

• Jovana V. Milić: Serbian scientist from top Swiss university honored with Green Talents Award

  Jovana V. Milić from the Serbian town of Petrovac na Mlavi is one of 25 young researchers honored with the Green Talents Award of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research for their contribution...

• Horizon Europe: the world’s most ambitious research and innovation programme at the service of society

  On 2 February, the European Commission announces its plans for the launch of Horizon Europe, its next R&D programme. In this essay for Science|Business, Commissioner Mariya Gabriel restates the broad...

• 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...

• [Call Announcement] CERIC Call for Proposals now OPEN

• Energy Agencies – key drivers for the energy transition

  As energy agencies evolve and respond to their fast changing environment, they need to build new skills and strategies to scale up and speed up action. ManagEnergy is a key enabler for energy agencies...

• The BodenType Data Centre Project - Demonstrating a nearly perfect Power Usage Effectiveness

  The BodenType Data Centre project has designed one of the most energy efficient conventional data centres in the world.

• New H2020 energy efficiency projects (involving WB partners) are fighting energy poverty

  Energy poverty continues to represent a challenge for many European households. A new Eurostat publication ‘Housing in Europe’ shows that still close to 7% of the EU population reported not being able...

• 115 proposals on energy and resource efficient buildings received in the European Green Deal Call

  The Horizon 2020 Green Deal Call, with the aim to support research and innovation projects on the European Green Deal, has closed.

• JRC: Supporting new EU businesses could protect over 3.5M jobs in the coming decade, JRC analysis shows

  The disruption to new businesses caused by the coronavirus pandemic will have a big and lasting impact on job growth in the EU, according to JRC projections.

• Portugal takes the lead of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union

  On 1 January 2021, Portugal took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Germany.

• [Event Announcement] Registrations are open: 5th Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region

  5th Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) jointly organised by the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the European Commission with the support of the EUSAIR...

• New initiative to support sustainable hydropower in the Western Balkans

  The International Hydropower Association (IHA), the Albanian Power Corporation (KESH), and the Swiss government’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) have launched a new initiative in the Western...

• Commission and Portuguese Presidency announce Social Summit in Porto

  Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have invited EU Heads of State or Government, EU institutions, social partners and other key stakeholders...

• [Call Announcement] Women in Energy Kosovo*

  The Women Energy Entrepreneurs Program combines technical assistance with investment grants for the growth of women owned businesses in Kosovo* through efficient energy use.

• German International Climate Initiative offers EUR 60,000-100,000 grants for climate, biodiversity projects

  The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) has published Small Grants International Call for small and local organizations from 142 partner countries...

• Green hydrogen not profitable yet, but major investments may spur technology development

  Projects for production and use of green hydrogen are still more political than economic. Recently announced investments will undoubtedly give a strong impetus to the technologies for hydrogen production...

• EUBCE 2021: Book your exhibit now

  Early Bird by 30 January 2021

• The journey begins – 2021 is the European Year of Rail!

  Friday, 1 January 2021, marks the beginning of the European Year of Rail. The European Commission initiative will highlight the benefits of rail as a sustainable, smart and safe means of transport. A ...

• EU leaders agree on budget, green recovery funds, 55% emission cut goal

  The European Council approved the European Union’s EUR 1.82 trillion seven-year funding package and sent it to the European Parliament. The regular budget is worth EUR 1.07 trillion and the remaining ...

• 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...

• Commission welcomes political agreement on Horizon Europe, the next EU research and innovation programme

  The Commission welcomes the political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on Horizon Europe, the largest transnational programme ever supporting research and innovation. The new ...

• [Event Announcement] Third European Education Summit: Digital Education Transformation

    Building Resilience in the European Education Area The coronavirus pandemic has caused widespread disruption to education and training provision by schools, higher education institutions...

• EU budget: European Commission welcomes agreement on €1.8 trillion package to help build greener, more digital and more resilient Europe

  The European Commission has today welcomed the agreement between the European Parliament and EU Member States in the Council on Europe's next long-term budget and NextGenerationEU, the temporary recovery...

• “COST is a must” – Agricultural research and knowledge transfer in Western Balkan Countries

  On Tuesday 24 November, Director of the COST Association, Ronald de Bruin was invited as a speaker at the first ‘Workshop on Agricultural Research and Knowledge Transfer in Western Balkan countries. The...

• Energy reforms move ahead despite COVID-19 – Energy Community annual report

  Energy Community contracting parties have increased the capacity of renewable power plants by 19% this year, but North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine most likely won’t meet the 2020 targets, according ...

• RESET: European Green Deal is chance for energy transition in BiH

  The European Green Deal is an opportunity for development in BiH and the country can modernize its energy system and make it competitive and sustainable with regard to the environment, experts from RESET...

• EU-wide monitoring system will track progress towards a sustainable Bioeconomy

  A new monitoring system will help ensure that the European Bioeconomy contributes effectively to the objectives of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals...

• Developing a bioeconomy in rural Europe

  Once the crops are planted, grown and harvested, many agricultural facilities sit unused. But converting them into bioproduction plants could extend their activity year-round - meaning more money for ...

• [Event Announcement] Danube Governance Conference: “Towards European integration with the SDGs”

  28 January 2021, 9:00 – 17:00 (CET) Online event: Danube Governance Conference: “Towards European integration with the SDGs” – SAVE THE DATE! The Danube Governance Conference is all about European ...

• EUBCE 2021: Deadline for Call for Papers extended

  There's still time to submit an abstract for EUBCE 2021.

• Towards a more dynamic, resilient and competitive European industry: Council adopts conclusions

  The Council adopted a set of conclusions setting out how recovery from the COVID-19 crisis can be used as leverage for a more dynamic, resilient and competitive European industry.

• [Event Announcement] Small is beautiful: How can the Innovation Fund foster innovative clean tech small-scale projects?

  With its around €10 billion of support over 2020-2030, the Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest funding programmes for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies, aiming to bring...

• Western Balkan commitments on Green Agenda

  By signing the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, countries in the region have committed to a number of actions like introducing carbon pricing instruments and market-based...

• European Union : EIB President Werner Hoyer welcomes Western Balkans' commitments to the Green Agenda at the Berlin Process Summit and expresses EIB's support

  The EU bank welcomes commitments made by the Western Balkans countries to roll out the Green Agenda and develop a common regional market. The EIB expressed support for the Economic and Investment...

• HEAL urges regional leaders to implement Green Agenda for Western Balkans

  Non-profit organization Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) has urged heads of states of the Western Balkans to adopt and implement the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans in order to prevent ill ...

• State leaders endorse Green Agenda for Western Balkans at Sofia summit

  Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said countries in Southeastern Europe that intend to join the European Union agreed with its Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. The summit was organized in Sofia...

• RISE Supports 137 Young Entrepreneurs in the Western Balkans

  The RISE project selected 137 young entrepreneurs gathered in 46 teams coming from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to develop their social business ideas...

• Success Story: North Macedonia company helps strenghthen food research

  The food industry will face significant challenges in the future. However, an EU-funded project has created an international research network capable of confronting environmental threats as well as consumer...

• 2021 Commission work programme – from strategy to delivery

  The Commission adopted its 2021 work programme, designed to make Europe healthier, fairer and more prosperous, while accelerating its long-term transformation into a greener economy, fit for the ...

• [Call Announcement] 20 New Internship Positions Available for Women in Energy

  Millennium Foundation Kosovo (MFK) has launched the second cohort of paid internship positions for women in the energy sector. 20 more internships are now available all across Kosovo and are calling for...

• EC-OECD innovation and growth webinars

  The Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission is organizing together with the OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Directorate a webinar series on innovation and...

• Kick-off of the 9th Danube Macroregional Strategy Annual Forum

  Today, the 9th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), hosted by the current Croatian Presidency of the EUSDR, will take place fully online.

• 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.

• The second week of the 18th edition EURegionsWeek has come to an end

  Together with over 500 partners’ sessions, this week hosted most of the main sessions of the event.

• 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, ...

• European Green Deal tells us decarbonisation is possible not only in the EU, but everywhere

  The idea of ​​the European Green Plan is to show that decarbonisation is possible not only in the EU, but all over the world. The Green Agenda for Western Balkans, which it envisages, shows in which areas...

• 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...

• 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...

• EU Green Week 2020 Draft Programme

  Draft Programme has been published.

• Achieving a European Education Area by 2025 and resetting education and training for the digital age

  The Commission adopted two initiatives that will strengthen the contribution of education and training to the EU's recovery from the coronavirus crisis, and help build a green and digital Europe. Setting...

• Leonardo DiCaprio backs campaign to protect Bosnian rivers

  Conservationist groups from the region and the world urged the Federation of BiH to pass a law that would forbid the construction of new small hydropower plants, and Leonardo DiCaprio backed the initiative...

• Clean Air For All – What are the main sources of air pollutants?

  There is no doubt that the main sources of air pollution are the same all over the world – the energy sector, commercial, institutional and household heating, transportation, industry, agriculture, and...

• Serbia: Still insufficient efforts for wastewater treatment

  Wastewater treatment involves various methods of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, by virtue of which harmful chemical and biological substances, as well as solids and gases are removed from...

• European Research and Innovation Days 2020 bring together over 35 000 participants online

  The European Commission has brought together thousands of policymakers, researchers, innovators, businesspeople and citizens in a unique digital event on the future of research and innovation.

• [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...

• Eurostat regional yearbook 2020: Regional diversity in the EU –how does your region fare?

  What is the share of young and old people in the regions of the European Union(EU)? Is the risk of poverty in my region higher or lower than elsewhere in the EU? Which region has the largest economy? ...

• Leuven named the 2020 European capital of innovation

  Leuven, Belgium, has been named the 2020 European Capital of Innovation for its use of innovation to improve residents’ lives.

• Proposals for Europe’s bold 10-year R&I missions officially handed to Commissioner Gabriel

  Five ‘mission reports’ outlining ambitious 10-year plans to tackle some of the major challenges faced by Europe were officially handed over to EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel on 22 September at the opening...

• European Research and Innovation Days: Towards an innovation agenda for the WESTERN BALKANS

  The session Towards an innovation agenda for the WESTERN BALKANS has been organised within the European Research and Innovation Days on 24 September 2020. Moderator: Sanja Damjanovic, Minister of Science...

• Top experts hand over their proposals for EU missions to the Commission for a greener, healthier and more resilient Europe

  At the European Research and Innovation Days, high-level independent experts presented their proposals to the European Commission for possible EU missions on some of our most pressing societal challenges...

• EC Video: Horizon 2020 - Spotlight on projects

  The European Commission has just published a new video on succesfull project results in Horizon 2020.

• European Research and Innovation Days: Co-creating the European Research Area with the next three presidencies

  Session on Co-creating the European Research Area with the next three presidencies took place on 23 September 2020. Moderator: Anna Panagopoulou, Director of the Common Implementation Centre, European...

• EU Prize for Women Innovators 2020: And the winners are...

  Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, revealed today the four winners of this year’s edition of the EU Prize for Women Innovators. The prize is funded under...

• EU to create new biomedical research agency modelled on BARDA

  The European Commission is to set up an equivalent to the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority BARDA, after coming under criticism for falling short in matching US support for COVID...

• Serbia marks European Mobility Week by promoting sustainable solutions

  There are 27 cities and municipalities in Serbia that participate this year in the European Mobility Week. The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, Ambassador Sem Fabrizi, noted more...

• Documentation from Swiss InfoDay on the Green Deal Call available

  The national online Information Day has taken place on 25 August 2020. For the recording of the event, please visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL9xHWhyXIexglV956jVFZsHDBomudDgG

• European Research and Innovation Days: R&I geopolitical outreach through association

  Today, the session on R&I geopolitical outreach through association has taken place within the European Research and Innovation Days 2020. The session has involved also Ms. Sanja Damjanovic, Minister...

• European Research and Innovation Days: Europe’s flagship event on the future of research and innovation starts today

  The European Research and Innovation Days, Europe’s annual flagship event on the future of research and innovation are starting today and will take place online until 24 September. This year’s event will...

• Europe’s First “Greenathon”: Hacking the European Green Deal: Applications are now open!

  Applications are open until 28 September 2020. 

• Info Day on the European Green Deal Call at European R&I days 2020

  You are kindly invited to take part in the Info Day on the European Green Deal Call, on 23 and 24 September. The digital info day is organised by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Research...

• ESOF 2020 in Numbers/Review

  An innovative format gathered top-quality scientific discussion that achieved resounding success among on-site and online participants. Some 2500 people registered for the event; among these, more...

• [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...

• European Green Deal Call: €1 billion investment to boost the green and digital transition

  The European Commission has decided today to launch a €1 billion call for research and innovation projects that respond to the climate crisis and help protect Europe's unique ecosystems and biodiversity...

• 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.

• COVID-19 crisis threatens Europe’s aerospace R&D strengths, industry warns

  But pandemic not sufficient reason to rip up green and digital research plans, executives say at Science|Business conference.

• Clean Air For All – a lesson on key air pollutants

  This past winter will be remembered by unprecedented levels of air pollution in almost the entire Western Balkan region. Information provided by official institutions was in contradiction with measurements...

• ESOF2022 Leiden/The Hague: Leiden will be the European city of science in 2022

  The EuroScience Open Forum 2022 will be hosted in Leiden/The Hague, Netherlands. Leiden University, the Municipality of Leiden, Leiden Marketing and The Hague Convention Bureau have successfully joined...

• EU Survey: Share your views on Horizon Europe’s priorities for the next four years

  How do we design an ambitious EU research and innovation programme that supports the green and digital transitions for a sustainable coronavirus recovery? To answer this question we need your help...

• Registration for R&I Days 2020 is open

  The European Commission has announced that registration for the European Research & Innovation Days is now open.

• European Green Deal: Commission prepares new initiatives to boost the organic farming sector

  The European Commission has launched a public consultation on its future Action Plan on Organic Farming.

• Trieste relaunches the Declaration of Human Duties

  The announcement was released at ESOF2020. The initiative is supported by esteemed scholars and Nobel Laureates, including Rita Levi Montalcini. The Trieste Declaration of Human Duties comes to life again...

• Commission unveils its first Strategic Foresight Report: charting the course towards a more resilient Europe

  Today, the European Commission adopted its first-ever Strategic Foresight Report, aiming to identify emerging challenges and opportunities to better steer the European Union’s strategic choices.

• JRC assesses critical raw materials for Europe’s green and digital future

  The JRC published the results of assessments of selected raw materials, with factsheets and reports presenting the criticality of each.

• Soils mission will unite farmers and researchers to end degradation and restore fertility

  Upcoming Horizon Europe soils mission aims to ensure three quarters of European soils are healthy by 2030, slowing climate change and safeguarding food supply.

• [Document Announcement] Regional Risks for Doing Business 2019

  The Regional Risks for Doing Business report offers a business perspective on the impact of global risks and illustrates how they are experienced differently across regions. In an increasingly complex...

• Studying abroad will look very different for Erasmus students this September

  Travel restrictions and closed or socially-distanced campuses mean many of the class of 2021 won’t leave home, but the commission is injecting €200 million to enable distance learning and keep the Erasmus...

• Five cities in South East Europe aim to become carbon-neutral by 2030

  Five cities in five different South East European countries are part of a project that aims to make them carbon-neutral as early as 2030, with a funding model for such an ambitious transformation to be...

• Strong political will and access to European electricity market – key enablers of RES integration challenges in Western Balkans

  Experts from the Western Balkans see energy transition as a development opportunity for countries in the region that allows building modern, environmentally and climate-friendly power systems by 2050. ...

• Delivering the European Green Deal: Commission consults on review of renewable energy and energy efficiency directives

  The Commission has taken the first steps in the review process of the Renewable Energy Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive, by inviting citizens and stakeholders to comment on two Roadmaps...

• Adoption of EU hydrogen strategy

  On 8 July the EU hydrogen strategy was adopted. This strategy will explore how clean hydrogen can help reduce the EU economy’s carbon emissions, and make the EU climate-neutral by 2050.

• 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...

• Energy companies in Montenegro to invest EUR 734 million by 2024, EUR 1 billion in total

  Energy companies in Montenegro plan to invest more than EUR 1 billion, of which EUR 734.6 million in the next four years, according to the third socio-economic package, adopted by the government to mitigate...

• [Document Announcement] Can R&I save the day?

  While research and innovation (R&I) are at the core of the response to the pandemic itself in the areas of virology, vaccines development, treatments and diagnostics, it will be crucial also in the...

• Science, Research and Innovation performance of the EU, 2020 (SRIP) Report

  This report analyses Europe's performance in science, research and innovation and the driving factors behind that performance in a global context. It combines thorough indicator-based macroeconomic...

• 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.

• Advancing Sustainable Urban Mobility in Western Balkan capitals: Tirana, Sarajevo SUMPs moving forward

  Increasing individual traffic, bad conditions of transport infrastructure, safety issues, noise, and air pollution – for decades, the capitals of the Western Balkan have been facing a broad range of concerns...

• Shaping the role of renewables self-consumers in the Energy Community

  At the start of the new decade, denial of the energy transition in the Energy Community is fading away and a path to the decarbonization of the energy sector is taking shape. While the days of opted-out...

• BALKATHON FINALS: Best Digital Solutions from the Western Balkans to be Awarded at the Final Session of the 1st Regional Online Competition

  3 winners of the 1st Balkathon in categories: Smart Tourism; Digital Learning Platform; and Online Payments are to be selected and awarded at the final ceremony held online, organized by the RCC and supported...

• Over €100 million available for advancing European bio-based sector

  The seventh Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) Call for proposals is open across 16 different topics until 3 September 2020, 17:00 CET. It makes €102 million available...

• [Call Announcement] Call for EU Green Week partner events

  The EU Green Week takes place on 20-22 October 2020. With a high-level policy conference in Brussels and partner events around Europe, it is the biggest annual event on European environmental...

• Powering a climate-neutral economy: Commission sets out plans for the energy system of the future and clean hydrogen

  To become climate-neutral by 2050, Europe needs to transform its energy system, which accounts for 75% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions.  The EU strategies for energy system integration and hydrogen...

• e-EUBCE 2020 Closing Highlights

  Despite the travel restrictions and the pandemic, this week the global biomass community demonstrated all its liveliness, creativity, and commitment, with an outstanding participation to the e-EUBCE 2020...

• The EIT: A strong track record of delivery in the Western Balkans

  Since 2018 the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has built and strengthened its core role as Europe’s well-established one-stop-shop for innovation and is becoming a global innovation...

• Innovation and local tourism key to re-design Europe’s cultural and creative cities

  European cities with a high share of cultural and creative jobs are particularly exposed to the economic impacts of the coronavirus crisis, according to a new JRC report.

• An official entity: European Innovation Council Equity Fund for high-impact innovation

  The EIC Fund, which will provide equity from €0.5m to €15m to breakthrough innovation companies selected for EIC Accelerator blended finance support (grant and equity), has become an official entity...

• COVID-19: Challenges and opportunities in the district energy sector

  District energy systems are commonplace in urban centers and district heating is the most common form of heating for urban homes and businesses in many of EBRD’s countries of operations. Compared to other...

• 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...

• Western Balkans and EEA – A long lasting collaboration

  The cooperation between the Western Balkans and the European Environment Agency (EEA) started and continues to strengthen for over 20 years .

• [Document Announcement] The entrepreneurial employee in public and private sector – What, Why, How

  Becoming more entrepreneurial could help both employees and their organisations to thrive in a rapidly-changing economy. This help might be especially significant in a  world that emerges from the...

• Trio-presidency programme of the Council has been published

  Germany, Portugal and Slovenia presented their joint EU presidency programme for the next 18 months on Tuesday (16 June), seeking to focus primarily on social recovery in the wake of the pandemic.

• [Event Announcement] European Biogas Conference 2020 GREEN GAS FOR A GREEN DEAL!

  The 2020 edition of the European Biogas Conference will take place from 2 to 3 September in Brussels. Every year, this conference provides a platform for discussion on the latest developments on biomethane...

• [Event Announcement] 2020 International Conference on Clean and Green Energy Engineering

  Annoucement: In light of the worldwide spread of COVID-19, the conference organizing committee has decided to postpone the conference to August 4-6 for the safety and health of all the participants. We...

• Montenegrin government proposes Law on Energy, eases rules for prosumers

  The Government of Montenegro has adopted the draft Law on Energy to make it easier for consumers to become prosumers which means they could generate and consume their own green energy.

• Western Balkan countries on the way to finalizing their National Energy and Climate Plans

  Western Balkan countries, partners of the GIZ Open Regional Fund for South-East Europe – Energy Efficiency (ORF-EE), have made substantial progress in the preparation of their draft National Energy and...

• The Economic Ray of Hope for Bosnia and Herzegovina

  Initiative ’Yes We Can’ launched recently on the platform of Sarajevo Business Forum is an innovative “Bottom Up” response to Covid-19 pandemic that could be replicated elsewhere, especially by smaller...

• Belgrade to get intelligent phone booths soon

  Belgrade Science and Technology Park held the presentation of the project of smart telephone booths, which includes the replacement of 100 booths in central city municipalities

• Digital agriculture is a lifeline for the planet, but also for the pocket

  Until recently, agriculture, at least in WBC, has resisted technological progress and digitalization. It is important to know that so-called digital agriculture is no longer a desire...

• Agremo wins the first AIM Startup cometition at STP Belgrade

  Agremo is the winner of the first national AIM Startup competition in Serbia,  that Science Technology Park Belgrade organized in partnership with The Annual Investment Meeting (AIM), a leading investment...

• Water JPI presents Vision 2030 and New Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda

  The Water JPI Vision 2030, “Together for a Water-secure World”, outlines what the Water JPI aims to achieve during the next 10-year period (until 2030) and sets out the roadmap for all Water JPI activities...

• [Event Announcement] e-EUBCE 2020 Webinar: Bioeconomy´s role in the post-pandemic economic recovery

  The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged our model of face-to-face meetings. To adapt to the current situation, the Executive Committee has decided to transform the 28th European Biomass Conference and...

• 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 and the EU remain committed to the Western Balkans

  Interview with Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, Dario Scannapieco, from Tirana Times.

• [Call Announcement] CfP AFEBalk: Environmental Issues in the Contemporary Balkans

  The environmental issue emerged in industrialized countries from the 1960s onwards as an awareness of the planet's limits in the face of economic growth. Initially dealt with as a sectoral issue of...

• Western Balkans Poll Shows Strong Support for EU

  The latest multinational survey of the Western Balkans by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) reveals split opinions of the United States as an...

• ESIR Policy Brief: Protect, prepare and transform Europe Recovery and resilience post COVID-19

  ESIR is a high level advisory group to the European Commission on how to develop a forward-looking and transformative research and innovation policy.

• OECD overview of the COVID-19 crisis in the Western Balkans

  The OECD has been working with South East Europe (SEE) since 2000 to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in a region weakened by conflict, but endowed with rich resources and dynamism. Governments, ...

• [Document Announcement] THE COVID-19 CRISIS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS: Economic impact, policy responses, and short-term sustainable solutions

  The COVID-19 pandemic hit the six Western Balkans1(WB6) amidst a reacceleration of economic activity and promising economic outlook for 2020 (EC, 2020). With the rapid spreading of the coronavirus in ...

• Kruševac wins European Mobility Week Award 2019

  Kruševac (Serbia) is the winner of the European Mobility Week Award 2019 for larger municipalities, with Karditsa (Greece) taking home the award for smaller municipalities. The remaining two sustainable...

• EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy – Bringing nature back into our lives

  The European Commission has adopted a new EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy this May, framing it as a “comprehensive, ambitious, long-term plan for protecting nature and reversing the degradation of ...

• Research and Innovation Performance report: Enabling Europe to lead the green and digital transition

  The Commission released today its latest report on the EU's Science, Research and Innovation Performance, through which it analyses how Europe performs in the global context. It highlights the need for...

• 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.

• Recovery Plan: Europe's moment: Repair and prepare for the next generation

  On May 27, 2020, the European Commission has put forward its proposal for a major recovery plan. To ensure the recovery is sustainable, even, inclusive and fair for all Member States, the European Commission...

• New EU budget proposal foresees €94.4 billion for Horizon Europe

  More money for research is included in Commission’s €1.85 trillion long-term budget, but MEPs and lobbyists pore over the details to see the potential impact.

• European Green Deal and New call

  Becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050 is a once in a lifetime opportunity to modernise the EU’s economy and society and re-orient them towards a just and sustainable future...

• WB partners included in: Horizon 2020 funds 22 new projects to ensure the sustainable management of land and waters

  22 new projects are receiving approximately €175 million from Horizon 2020 to respond to the key challenges our planet is facing, such as adapting to and mitigating climate change, ensuring healthy food...

• Reinforcing Europe's resilience: halting biodiversity loss and building a healthy and sustainable food system

  On 20 May 2020, the European Commission adopted a comprehensive new Biodiversity Strategy to bring nature back into our lives and a Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly...

• The CAP reform’s compatibility with the Green Deal’s ambition

  The common agricultural policy (CAP) reform, proposed by the European Commission in June 2018, introduces a more flexible, performance and results-based approach that takes into account local conditions...

• 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...

• France and Germany propose €500B innovation-focussed recovery fund

  Fiscally conservative nations still need to be brought on board to plan that foresees EU-27 raising debt together and paying out to hardest hit regions in grants

• INSPIRE Conference Dubrovnik, Croatia 2020 goes Virtual, 3-12 June 2020

  Because of the risk associated with COVID-19 infection and to ensure the health care of all the community, we have reluctantly decided to cancel the INSPIRE Conference 2020 and to host INSPIRE 2021 in...

• [Call Announcement] Consultation open on European Climate Pact

  The European Climate Pact aims to engage citizens and communities in action for our climate and environment. For more infornation, see https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/eu-climate-action/pact_en

• Goverments in region to incentivize investments in renewables – PwC study on COVID-19

  Governments in the region need to incentivize investments in renewables and reiterate the focus on sustainability, says PwC Croatia in a study called Impact of COVID-19 and Economic Downturn on South ...

• EPBiH starts construction of 48 MW wind park Podveležje

  Elektroprivreda BiH said engineers are carrying out blasting works for the foundations of 15 future turbines near Mostar. Siemens Gamesa, Wind Power, HP Investing and Minersko are responsible for the ...

• [Document Announcement] From nearly-zero energy buildings to net-zero energy districts: Lessons learned from existing EU projects

  Communities in Europe are pioneering energy self-sufficiency projects, shifting from individual buildings to the neighbourhood level.

• [Document Announcement] Digitally-enabled Development for a Sustainable Future in Eastern Europe

  This JRC Report is based on the materials and presentations delivered during theinternational conference on “Digitally-enabled Development for a Sustainable Future in Eastern Europe”, convened in Vrdnik...

• [Call Announcement] New online free course on circular economy available

  FURN360 team offers you the opportunity to enrol to the FURN360 training course, a set of online modules that offers 80 hours of training to understand the shift needed in the furniture industry to engage...

• Over €100 million available for advancing European bio-based sector

  The seventh Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) Call for proposals is open across 16 different topics until 3 September 2020, 17:00 CET. It makes €102 million available for ...

• Albania seeks to address barriers via a comprehensive Startup & Innovation Program

  Startup Nations member Florensa Haxhi, Director General, Development Programs and Cooperation Unit, from the Albanian Prime Minister's Office, shared information about the barriers to entrepreneurship...

• Quartely Review of academic literature on research and innovation

  This review is developed by the ‘Economics of R&I’ team of the Chief Economist unit of DG Research and Innovation. Contributors: Lukas Borunsky, Ana Correia, Roberto Martino, Oliver Podmanicky, Ruzica...

• [Link Announcement] Balkan Green Energy News Event Website

  Balkan Greeen Energy News is regularly publishing upcoming events on their website.

• [Link Announcement] Balkan Green Energy News

  Balkan Greeen Energy News is regularly publishing open positions on their website.

• [Call Announcement] Green Talents award 2020

  Join a prestigious network of renowned scientists, gain unique access to Germany’s sustainability research elite and promote your innovative ideas.

• Commission budgets extra research funds for Green Deal, university networks

  EU releases new Horizon 2020 funding plans, announces €450M in ERC basic science grants.

• EUBCE rescheduled

  The European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2020), which was planned to take place End of April in Marseille, France, was rescheduled to 6-9 July 2020.

• Commission adopts Circular Economy Action Plan

  On 11 March 2020, the European Commission adopted a new Circular Economy Action Plan which aims to transform the way products are made and empower consumers to make sustainable choices.

• European Innovation Council pilot: €344 million to 107 visionary ideas of start-ups, SMEs and researchers

  The European Commission has announced the latest results of the European Innovation Council (EIC) pilot. Over 100 game-changing ideas from across Europe are on track to receive EIC support totalling €...

• EU launches raft of R&D efforts to boost Europe’s industries

  Commission pledges to give new impetus to development of clean hydrogen fuel technologies and stimulate investment in companies run by women.

• €83 million available for Horizon 2020 energy projects

  Six energy topics under the 2018-2020 Horizon 2020 Work Programme are open for application as of 3 December. They make available EU funding of €83 million in total. The topics relate to renewable energy...

• North Macedonia government contemplates prompt coal exit

  The North Macedonian government has approved a national energy strategy that makes it the first country in the Western Balkans to consider a coal phase-out before 2030.  

• Increase in funding for game-changing green innovation and woman-led companies

  A significant increase to the European Innovation Council (EIC) Pilot budget is expected to be adopted by the European Commission in March 2020, to support game-changing, market-creating innovation and...

• EC launches call for experts to assist with tasks for Innovation Fund

  The European Commission (EC) has launced a call for experts to assist the European Commission with tasks for the Innovation Fund. The call was published on 31 January 2020.

• 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...

• Bids open in Albania solar power auction for 140 MW in Karavasta

  The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy said investors have until March 16 to submit applications for the construction of a photovoltaic plant at the coast southwest of capital Tirana. Albania scheduled...

• 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...

• EU helps tackle air pollution in Kosovo* with €76.4 million

  A major EU-financed project to improve the environmental performance of the ‘Kosovo* B’ thermal power plant, Kosovo*’s largest electricity generator, was launched today during the visit of the High EU...

• Circular Economy and Sustainable Development in Montenegro's Smart Specialisation Strategy

  Montenegro is the first non-EU country to have adopted a Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) in June 2019. Three key strategic directions represent the general long-term vision of the country’s development...

• SEEIIST project presented at World Science Forum in Budapest

  Within the World Science Forum in Budapest, Minister Damjanović held a presentation within the panel entitled “Basic Science Infrastructures for Ethical and Responsible Collaborative Development”.

• [Event Review] - 7th meeting of the SEEIIST Steering Committee, 24 January 2020 - Ljubljana, Slovenia

  The seventh meeting of the SEEIIST Intergovernmental Steering Committee was held on 24 January 2020 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

• [Call Announcement] IAEA Call for Expression of Interest for Fellowships for SEEIIST

  Capacity building for the regional project of the South East European International Institute for Sustainable Technologies (SEEIIST) is one of the key elements for its successful implementation.

• EU lifts green investment target by EUR 260 billion per year by 2030

  The Sustainable Europe Investment Plan will mobilize at least EUR 1 billion in the next decade, the European Commission has said. The so-called Just Transition Mechanism, which is being set up by the ...

• [Event Announcement] Policy Conference of the EU Sustainable Energy Week

  The Policy Conference of the EU Sustainable Energy Week is the biggest European conference dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe. Sessions organised by the European Commission and...

• Commission presents Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy

  On 17 December 2019, the European Commission adopted its Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy as part of a new European Semester cycle. The economic and employment policy strategy focuses on promoting competitive...