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A new initiative from POLICY ANSWERS has been providing crucial technical assistance in Albania from November 2022 to June 2024. While Albania’s innovation landscape is evolving, it still faces several significant challenges. The country currently lacks a robust national portfolio of schemes to support research, development, and innovation (RDI) within its companies.
Most Albanian enterprises are small, traditional SMEs, with much of the innovation potential concentrated in startups. However, these startups often struggle to secure the necessary support for their internal product and service development needs. Recently introduced initiatives, such as the Eureka Network projects call and the Western Balkans Innovation Voucher scheme, have created new opportunities for Albanian businesses, but implementation challenges have limited their effectiveness.
To address these issues, POLICY ANSWERS has been actively assisting Albanian companies in identifying and applying for EU funding opportunities. The programme has facilitated consultations and workshops designed to enhance the capacity of local enterprises to engage with international funding calls, particularly those related to the Eureka Network projects. So far, the initiative has helped over 20 companies explore suitable funding sources and develop project concepts.
In addition to these efforts, several policy suggestions have emerged to boost competitiveness. Recommendations include enhancing the capacity of the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation (NASRI) to engage with and support commercial entities, building a comprehensive database of innovative companies, and providing targeted support for businesses applying to international funding calls like the Eureka Network projects. There is also a pressing need for more national grants to promote innovation, especially in alignment with Albania’s Smart Specialisation Strategy.
Looking ahead, it is clear that ongoing technical assistance is essential to help potential applicants navigate various EU-funded calls and develop projects that meet evaluation criteria. Support for proposal writing and the establishment of a pool of Eureka assessors has been identified as beneficial. Furthermore, facilitating partner searches, particularly in collaboration with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) once it is fully operational in Albania, could further strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem.
These collective efforts aim to foster a more vibrant and competitive innovation landscape in Albania, aligning with the broader economic development goals.