Call for Western Balkans Innovation Vouchers Closes Successfully

Applications for the Western Balkans Innovation Vouchers programme closed on 20 November 2024. A total of 36 applications were submitted, encompassing all six Western Balkan economies, with SMEs and public research institutions collaborating across different economies for each application. The innovation voucher applications focus on research and innovation activities, as well as the development of new products, services, and technologies vital for the WB region.

The programme has been launched as part of the pilot initiatives of the POLICY ANSWERS project (R&I POLICY Making, Implementation, and Support in the Western Balkans). The programme serves as a simple financial incentive designed to foster partnerships and facilitate knowledge exchange between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and public research institutions across the Western Balkans (WB).

With a total budget of 240,000 EUR, the pilot programme provides innovation vouchers to SMEs operating in the region, offering up to 8000 EUR per application as a direct financial incentive to cover part of the costs of services provided by public research institutions from different Western Balkan economies.