Objectives and outcomes

A key objective of the POLICY ANSWERS project was to bridge the gap between national/regional priorities and EU priorities while supporting the integration of the WB into relevant EU initiatives and platforms. The focus was placed in particular on European Partnerships, but also on the EU Missions, Smart Specialisation platforms, initiatives of the EIT and other key opportunities were addressed - all of which contribute to shaping a digital, green, and healthy future for the WB.

Through fruitful discussions with participants, facilitators, and regional experts, the conference has yielded valuable insights and policy recommendations in the areas of green, digital, and health. These recommendations can be found in detail in the Closing Remarks.

Additionally, we would like to share some general takeaways that we have learned and believe would be of interest to our readers:

• It is essential to continue the discussion. It leads to better understanding and collaboration.

• Having policymakers on board is of key importance. Their support is crucial in elevating essential questions to a high level, and their knowledge of the big picture serves as an important input for these discussions. Scientists and experts can enhance their understanding of the details and most recent developments in specific fields.

• There is beauty in interconnecting priorities. We often see discourse solely focused on "Green Agenda" or "Digital" or sub-themes thereof, but bringing both together and including "Health" proved to be very productive and crystalised joint priorities and references.

• The Western Balkans are full of good examples to be further explored. There are many good practices in the region that should continue to be identified and presented, not only to inspire learning from each other but also to showcase success in Europe and globally.

Join the EU-WB Policy Dialogue Stakeholder Platform!

The "Policy Dialogue on Aligning Priorities in the Western Balkans" Conference was a kick-off event of a newly established EU-WB Policy Dialogue Stakeholder Platform which POLICY ANSWERS will sustain until the end of the project. The primary objective is facilitating interactive exchanges among different actors, providing a "space" where challenges can be addressed and optimal solutions can be offered. The platform will also showcase best practices from within and outside the Western Balkans.

We kindly invite our readers to join this platform!

Once your profile is activated, you will be able to see all other platform members as well and you can immediately start networking via setting up bilateral meetings and email exchanges. Participants of the conference are already registered in the platform, in particular: representatives of governments, and international organisations alongside other essential stakeholders, European Commission representatives, and external experts.