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The Science|Business Widening Conference, “From Knowledge to Impact: Nurturing Research and Innovation in Southeast Europe”, took place in Podgorica alongside the Ministerial meeting, gathering policymakers, researchers, and innovation stakeholders from across the region and Europe.
The event focused on how Southeast Europe can play a stronger and more integral role within the European Research Area (ERA), not only as a participant but as an active contributor shaping its future direction. Moderated by Ágota Dávid (European Commission, DG RTD), the discussions explored how the ERA Policy Agenda 2025-2027 and the upcoming Framework Programme (FP10) can empower the region to strengthen its research and innovation capacity.
A key theme throughout the conference was the importance of research infrastructures and researcher careers as fundamental elements of Europe’s structural policies. Despite a steady flow of talented graduates, the number of researchers in Southeast Europe has remained almost unchanged for over a decade, pointing to a structural barrier caused by the lack of modern research infrastructures. In this context, participants emphasized the importance of advancing regional initiatives such as the SouthEastEuropean International Institute for Sustainable Technologies (SEEIIST), with hopes that it will find a place within the upcoming FP10 programme.
A highlight of the conference was the Science|Business Widening Talks, which showcased the talent and innovation emerging from EU-supported projects in the Western Balkans. Among the speakers was Erida Çepelë, winner of a Western Balkans Innovation Voucher supported by POLICY ANSWERS, who presented her project “Organic food supplements impact on mental health” developed at PharmaBest. Her contribution reflected how EU-funded instruments can create tangible impact for researchers and entrepreneurs in the region.
Later in the day, Andrijana Tasevska, Work Package Leader at INOVA and representative of POLICY ANSWERS, joined the panel discussion “Branching and ripening of deep-rooted SEE collaboration.” The session focused on the progress achieved through EU policies and programmes in strengthening local academic and research ecosystems, while also discussing future opportunities for regional growth and collaboration.
The closing panel, moderated again by Ágota Dávid, brought together policymakers and practitioners, including Sanja Damjanović, Senior Researcher at GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research and POLICY ANSWERS project partner. The discussion focused on actionable ways for Southeast Europe to contribute more actively to the ERA through collaborative research, stronger infrastructures, and engagement in FP10.
The Western Balkans Info Hub, powered by the POLICY ANSWERS project, was pleased to support the organisation of this event alongside other partners the University of Montenegro, EIT Community Hub Montenegro, COST Association, and SCiDEV. Livestreaming of the conference can be found below.
| This conference was part of the Science|Business Widening Initiative that brings together members from the Science|Business Network. The initiative aims at helping research stakeholders and policymakers find the best ways to unlock the EU’s full research and innovation potential in the coming decade. More information is available here. |