On 30 October 2025, SCiDEV will host a Roundtable Dialogue bringing together Brussels-based researchers, diplomats, policymakers, and diaspora representatives to discuss mobility-driven research and EU integration, with a focus on Albania and the Western Balkans.
Enhanced mobility, research, and innovation are key to accelerating the Western Balkans’ convergence with the EU. While all six economies participate in Horizon Europe and have advanced Smart Specialization Strategies, challenges such as low R&D investment, weak institutional capacities, and limited talent reintegration persist.
This dialogue will explore how Western Balkans diaspora researchers and innovators can bridge policy and practice, advancing regional cooperation, brain circulation, and integration into the European Research Area.
Building on SCiDEV’s work through initiatives like #IGNITA, supported by the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans, the event invites EU institutions, member state representations, think tanks, and academic networks to exchange ideas on creating a more connected and innovative European research ecosystem.
Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/pTrfjemmya
