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On October 21, Science|Business organised its first-ever event in Montenegro in line with the Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Steering Platform on Research and Innovationm to debate the way forward. “From Knowledge to Impact: Nurturing Research and Innovation in Southeast Europe”, brought together policymakers, researchers, and innovation stakeholders to discuss how Southeast Europe can play a more integral role in the European Research Area (ERA).
Moderated by Ágota Dávid (European Commission, DG RTD), the conference explored how the new ERA Policy Agenda 2025–2027 and the upcoming Framework Programme (FP10) can empower the region, not only as a participant, but as a contributor shaping Europe’s research priorities. The ERA Policy Agenda highlights research infrastructures and researcher careers as key components of Europe’s structural policies.
However, Southeast Europe faces structural challenges. The region’s researcher population has remained almost constant for over a decade, despite a steady flow of talented graduates. A key barrier is the lack of modern research infrastructures, underscoring the urgent need for projects such as the proposed SouthEastEuropean International Institute for Sustainable Technologies (SEEIIST).
The second half of the conference focused on evidence and data. Marat Fatkhullin and Anne-Catherine Rota presented new insights on the region’s research landscape, highlighting growth in international collaboration and citation impact, while emphasizing the importance of linking disciplines and connecting with industry. Keynotes by Åse Gornitzka (COST Association) and Martin Kern (European Institute of Innovation and Technology) stressed that human and institutional networks are essential to transforming knowledge into innovation, with Southeast Europe becoming an increasingly vital part of Europe’s innovation ecosystem.
The closing panel, brought together policy and practice. Speakers including Robert Blatnik (Jožef Stefan Institute), Sorin Costreie (UNICA), Sanja Damjanović (GSI Helmholtz Centre), and Ivana Janković Mijanović (Government of Montenegro) discussed actionable steps for Southeast Europe to contribute more actively to ERA through collaborative research, stronger infrastructures, and engagement with the upcoming Framework Programme.
The Western Balkans Info Hub is proud to support the organisation of this event and its mission to strengthen research and innovation in Southeast Europe. The event recording can be found below.