POLICY ANSWERS Main Achievements by the End of 2024

POLICY ANSWERS project is proud to present its interactive e-book and printable brochure, offering a comprehensive overview of key achievements and milestones by the end of 2024. This engaging resource highlights the project’s progress across multiple areas, organised into chapters corresponding to each work package.

The project aims at facilitating policy learning through political dialogue, policy analysis, capacity building, thematic coordination, and pilot activities in the Western Balkans (WB) region. Focusing on research and innovation (R&I) policy and governance systems, the project also addresses related areas in education, culture, youth, and sports as well as priorities such as green, digital and health. POLICY ANSWERS monitors and promotes policy coordination within the European Union (EU)-WB cooperation, supporting the six WB economies: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. It works to enhance their potential for successful participation in regional and multilateral activities, fostering cooperation and increasing access to networks, information and excellence in the abovementioned areas. POLICY ANSWERS is also powering the Western Balkans Info Hub.

Some of the main achievements of each Work Package can be found below:

Policy Dialogue

POLICY ANSWERS maintains a dynamic platform for networking, exchange, and learning through policy dialogue events. Over 300 policymakers and stakeholders have been engaged, with two Ministerial Meetings in Tirana (2022) and Skopje (2024) and nine meetings of the Western Balkans Steering Platforms co-organised, including seven virtual and two in-person sessions. These efforts have strengthened regional cooperation and supported policy alignment.

Monitoring for Agenda Setting

The project has led extensive analytical and monitoring activities, mapping over 350 stakeholders, 200 programmes/policies, and 100 initiatives/best practices. POLICY ANSWERS developed a Monitoring Card system for six key areas—Research and Innovation, Education, Youth, Digital, Environment, and the Common Regional Market—providing a baseline in 2023 and refined in 2024. It has also produced two ERA reports (2023 and 2024) to track Western Balkan integration into the European Research Area. Notable activities include foresight exercises and a Policy Brief contributing input for the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10).

Capacity Building and Support

The project implemented capacity-building programmes co-designed with regional stakeholders. Actions have targeted key areas such as policy design, EU programme participation, university support, business engagement, and training on circular economy, blue growth, and health. Specific achievements include training 50 researchers for Horizon Europe applications, advancing university curricula, and delivering technical assistance to key institutions like the Ministry of Education and National Science Council.

Aligning Priorities

POLICY ANSWERS has developed policy recommendations on EU priorities such as green and digital transitions and health. Reports and briefs on Digital Transformation, Green Transition, and forthcoming insights on Healthy Societies offer tailored strategies for policymakers. A high-level conference in Sarajevo (2023) brought together 140 participants from 19 economies, enhancing regional alignment and cooperation.

Regional Pilot Activities

The project has launched impactful pilot programmes to foster tangible change:

• WB Mobility Scheme funds 22 research projects for early-career researchers.
• WB Innovation Vouchers promote partnerships between SMEs and research institutions.
• Research Infrastructure Ambassadors have been appointed to advance regional cooperation.
• Regional Innovation Academy platform was established and is undergoing testing.

Western Balkans Info Hub and Communication

POLICY ANSWERS actively engages stakeholders and promotes its achievements via the Western Balkans Info Hub, a key resource platform. The Info Hub attracts over 3,000 monthly visitors, with 29 newsletters shared and a growing online presence of 8,400 followers across social media. The project has participated in over 150 events, including workshops and training sessions, further boosting visibility and stakeholder collaboration.

Project Management

With a consortium of 14 partners—including universities, research institutes, funding agencies, and SMEs—POLICY ANSWERS ensures effective coordination across the Western Balkans and the EU. Recognised as a flagship initiative under the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, the project fosters open dialogue and strengthens strategic cooperation, ensuring long-term impact.

Focus on Capacity Building Work Programmes

The capacity-building programmes, approved in 2023, deliver tailored support across the six Western Balkan economies. Highlights include technical assistance for ministries, advancing thematic curricula, private-sector collaboration, Green and Digital Agenda implementation, and creating synergies through the Quadruple Helix Coordination Forum. These programmes address critical gaps and provide tools for sustainable development in research and innovation.

E-book and brochure

Designed to be both user-friendly and dynamic, the e-book features clickable links that take you directly to POLICY ANSWERS publications, webinars, and other valuable resources on the website. On the other hand, the brochure is tailored for printing, providing a concise, offline overview of the project’s key achievements and milestones. Whether you are a policymaker, researcher, or simply interested in regional development, this e-book offers an insightful look at the transformative work carried out under the project.