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For the original article published on 10 October 2025, please see here: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/news/all-research-and-innovation-news/third-eu-bosnia-and-herzegovina-horizon-europe-joint-research-and-innovation-committee-meeting-2025-10-10_en
The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Mina Stareva, Deputy Head of Unit for ‘International cooperation, Europe and Americas’, DG Research and Innovation of the European Commission, and by Suvad Džafić, Assistant to the Minister for Science and Culture, Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the introductory remarks, the EU co-chair emphasised the new political directions of European Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, focusing on Startups, Research and Innovation, and its impact on the cooperation between the parties. Detailed presentations were given on new EU initiatives such as the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the forthcoming European Research Area Act, the Innovation Act and the European Commission proposal for the 10th Framework Programme.
R&I Policy in Bosnia Herzegovina
The Bosnian Herzegovinian side presented the latest updates on the country’s R&I policy landscape, such as the development and adoption of a Science and Innovation Strategy by the Canton of Sarajevo, and their national support measures including the organisation of a Horizon Europe Info Day on 6 October 2025.
Participation in Horizon Europe
The two sides took the opportunity to discuss the implementation of the Horizon Europe Association Agreement, such as the increasing participation of entities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and how participation could grow even further. In addition, further steps on the implementation of the reciprocity principle were examined.
Moreover, the two parties reviewed participation under specific Horizon Europe Actions, with a special focus on the European Innovation Council and the progress made by Sarajevo as a Mission city. In addition, the broad activities of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology in Bosnia and Herzegovina, opportunities provided by the Digital Innovation Hubs, and by the Western Balkans Growth Plan were presented. The Joint Research Centre informed about the progress made concerning the development of a national Smart Specialisation Strategy.
The meeting offered a good occasion for the EU to recall the importance of the Horizon Europe programme for the country’s researchers and its innovation ecosystem, especially in the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina being an EU candidate country.
The next Horizon Europe Joint Committee Meeting is foreseen to take place in Sarajevo in 2026.