The working document on “Enhancing Western Balkans’ Participation in Horizon Europe and Framework Programme 10,” provides an analysis of current participation trends, structural challenges, and opportunities for scaling up engagement in EU-funded research and innovation programmes. This working document finds that WB6 has improved its participation in Horizon Europe, with Serbia and Montenegro emerging as top performers. Participation momentum aligns well with the objectives of the New Growth Plan and the Berlin Process, linking research and innovation (R&I) to broader economic development and EU integration goals. While the “steady and meaningful progress” in research and innovation is a positive step toward regional integration, significant challenges remain. The report identifies that administrative burdens, fragmented support systems, and a heavy reliance on donor funding impede the sustainability and independence of the research sector. These obstacles particularly affect early-career researchers, limiting their mobility and collaboration opportunities. Ultimately, these systemic issues undermine the long-term health of the region’s research and innovation infrastructure. Read more here.
Source: SCiDEV
