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The Newsletter to Support the Western Balkans’ Knowledge Societies and Ecosystems
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Updates from the Western Balkans
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Select the Economy to Explore Further
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Current Theme in Focus
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Western Balkans Research & Innovation Youth Awards |
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Lessons from the Western Balkan R&I Youth Awards |
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Highlights
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Western Balkans Research & Innovation Youth Awards |
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News
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| Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) and United Nations (UN) Agencies Launch Joint Training on Youth, Peace and Security in Serbia | |  |
| | Growing Into Leading Innovators: the Young Winners of IDEATHON 2025 | | |
| | Young European Ambassadors Join the EU Enlargement Forum | | |
| | Young European Ambassadors Champion Clean Air at the EU Clean Air Forum | | |
| | European Youth Chess Champions 2025 Crowned in Budva | | |
| | Young People Recognised in the “Montenegro Without Corruption” Art Competition | | |
| | European Youth Capital 2028: Podgorica Announced as the Winner | | |
| | Young Innovators Showcase Fintech Solutions at InnoFin Hackathon 2025 Finals | | |
| | The Fourth Forum "Youth for the Youth" was Held in Podgorica | | |
| | Social Impact Award (SIA) Recognise Leading Youth Social Entrepreneurship Ideas in Montenegro | | |
| | Girls in Information and Communication Technology Day II: Inspiring Future Female Leaders | | |
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Calls
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Capacity Building in Higher Education: Western Balkans Deadline: 10 February 2026
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| European Youth Together 2026 Deadline: 26 February 2026
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| Capacity Building in the field of Youth in Western Balkans Deadline: 26 February 2026
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| Cooperation Partnerships in the field of Youth submitted by European NGOs Deadline: 26 February 2026
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| Funding for Youth to Attend DigiQ (Quantum) Networking Events Across Europe Deadline: 31 March 2026
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Resources
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| Lessons from the Western Balkan R&I Youth Awards | | |
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Initiatives
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| The Youth-Focused Digital Academy, Empowering the Next Generation for the Digital Economy | | |
| | The Western Balkans Youth Lab | | |
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Organisations
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| Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) | | |
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Updates from the Region
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| News | | Young European Ambassadors Join the EU Enlargement Forum | | |
| | Young European Ambassadors Champion Clean Air at the EU Clean Air Forum | | |
| | Meet the 12 Selected Initiatives of Western Balkans R&I Youth Awards 2024 | | |
| | POLICY ANSWERS R&I Youth Awards 2025: A Regional Celebration of Impact and Innovation | | |
| | European Association of Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA) offers Conference Widening Bursary 2026 | | |
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| Calls | Capacity Building in Higher Education: Western Balkans Deadline: 10 February 2026
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| Digital Europe: Second Call for Innovation Studies for the Development of Generative AI Models Deadline: 25 February 2026
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| European Youth Together 2026 Deadline: 26 February 2026
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| Capacity Building in the field of Youth in Western Balkans Deadline: 26 February 2026
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| Cooperation Partnerships in the field of Youth submitted by European NGOs Deadline: 26 February 2026
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| Digital Europe - ELEVATE: European League of Advanced Digital Skills Academies Deadline: 3 March 2026
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| Digital Europe: European Advanced Digital Skills Competitions Deadline: 3 March 2026
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| Digital Europe: GenAI for the Public Administrations Deadline: 3 March 2026
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| Digital Europe: Deployment of Cutting-edge Multi-modal AI-based Solutions in Medical Imaging Deadline: 3 March 2026
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| Digital Europe: Consolidation of the Network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs with reinforced AI focus) Deadline: 3 March 2026
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| SoS2LearnDBS CLed: Community-led Actions that contribute to the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” objectives in the Danube River Basin and Black Sea regions Deadline: 30 March 2026
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| Funding for Youth to Attend DigiQ (Quantum) Networking Events Across Europe Deadline: 31 March 2026
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| Horizon Europe Call: The Impact of Pollution on the Development and Progression of Brain diseases and Disorders Deadline: 16 April 2026
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| EUREKA Open Call for Network Projects Applications Deadline: 1 January 2030
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Events
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| Horizon Europe Info Days on WIDENING calls in the WIDERA Work Programme 2026-27 22 January 2026, Online | | |
| | RCC Matchmaking Event: Building Erasmus+ Consortia Together 23 January 2026, Online | | |
| | POLICY ANSWERS Peer-Learning Webinar: AI in the 21st Century: Breaking stereotypes or reinforcing inequalities? 28 January 2026 | | |
| | Virtual Media Workshop to Strengthen Reporting on Environmental Threats and Solutions in the Western Balkans 28 - 29 January 2026, Online | | |
| | POLICY ANSWERS Webinar: Research and Technology Infrastructures: Policy, practice and recent developments in Europe – emerging opportunities for the Western Balkans 29 January 2026 | | |
| | Online Brokerage Event: Artificial Intelligence in Horizon Europe Calls 25 February 2026, Online | | |
| | LeadBalkans 2026 – Western Balkans Flagship Diaspora Conference 25 - 27 February 2026, Tirana | | |
| | Democracy in the Neighbourhood and EU Enlargement: Horizon Europe Research Insights 26 February 2026 | | |
| | POLICY ANSWERS Final Event - Towards a Stronger European Research Area: Lessons and Pathways for the Western Balkans’ Participation 19 March 2026, Tirana | | |
| | International Conference: Road Safety in Local Communities 22 - 25 April 2026, Vrnjačka Banja | | |
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Resources
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| POLICY ANSWERS Report and Policy Brief on the Promotion of Research Infrastructures | | |
| | Lessons from the Western Balkan R&I Youth Awards | | |
| | How the EU is Building an AI Ecosystem for Science - Interview with Axel Leisenberg, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission | | |
| | AI in Local Government, Driving Innovation Bridging Gaps and Shaping the Digital Transition in the Western Balkans and Moldova | | |
| | Factsheet - European Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Science | | |
| | AI Innovation Package | | |
| | AI Continent Action Plan | | |
| | A European Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Science | | |
| | Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025: Digital, Industry and Space | | |
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Programmes & Policies
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| Digital Europe Programme | | |
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Initiatives
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| The Western Balkans Youth Lab | | |
| | AI Gigafactory | | |
| | EU Artificial Intelligence Act | | |
| | Resource for Artificial Intelligence Science in Europe (RAISE) | | |
| | AI Factory Network | | |
| | InvestAI Initiative | | |
| | European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking - EuroHPC JU | | |
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Organisations
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| Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) | | |
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| News | | Western Balkan Cities Join New EU Cities Mission Twinning Learning Programme: Sarajevo, Kumanovo, Elbasan | | |
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| Calls | NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme: Call for Proposals 2026-1 Deadline: 31 January 2026
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| SoS2LearnDBS CLed: Community-led Actions that contribute to the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” objectives in the Danube River Basin and Black Sea regions Deadline: 30 March 2026
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Events
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| LeadBalkans 2026 – Western Balkans Flagship Diaspora Conference 25 - 27 February 2026, Tirana | | |
| | POLICY ANSWERS Final Event - Towards a Stronger European Research Area: Lessons and Pathways for the Western Balkans’ Participation 19 March 2026, Tirana | | |
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Resources
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| Artificial Intelligence for Health in the WHO European Region: Country Profiles | | |
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Initiatives
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| The Youth-Focused Digital Academy, Empowering the Next Generation for the Digital Economy | | |
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News
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| Growing Into Leading Innovators: the Young Winners of IDEATHON 2025 | | |
| | Western Balkan Cities Join New EU Cities Mission Twinning Learning Programme: Sarajevo, Kumanovo, Elbasan | | |
| | Bosnia and Herzegovina Showcases National Supercomputing Initiatives at CMBEBIH 2025 | | |
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Calls
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NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme: Call for Proposals 2026-1 Deadline: 31 January 2026
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| SoS2LearnDBS CLed: Community-led Actions that contribute to the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” objectives in the Danube River Basin and Black Sea regions Deadline: 30 March 2026
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Resources
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| Artificial Intelligence Governance and Ethics in Bosnia and Herzegovina | | |
| | Artificial Intelligence for Health in the WHO European Region: Country Profiles | | |
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Initiatives
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| Sarajevo Initiative | | |
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Organisations
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| e-Transformacija | | |
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News
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| NanoKos, a Model of International Cooperation Strengthening Scientific Capacities | | |
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Calls
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SoS2LearnDBS CLed: Community-led Actions that contribute to the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” objectives in the Danube River Basin and Black Sea regions Deadline: 30 March 2026
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| Grant Scheme to Support Kosovo’s Participation in Horizon Europe Deadline: 31 May 2027
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Initiatives
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| The Youth-Focused Digital Academy, Empowering the Next Generation for the Digital Economy | | |
| | NanoKos | | |
| | e-Kosova | | |
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News
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| Inno-BootCamp: A Review of the Early Pre-acceleration Programme and Participants Experiences | | |
| | European Youth Chess Champions 2025 Crowned in Budva | | |
| | Young People Recognised in the “Montenegro Without Corruption” Art Competition | | |
| | European Youth Capital 2028: Podgorica Announced as the Winner | | |
| | Young Innovators Showcase Fintech Solutions at InnoFin Hackathon 2025 Finals | | |
| | The Fourth Forum "Youth for the Youth" was Held in Podgorica | | |
| | Social Impact Award (SIA) Recognise Leading Youth Social Entrepreneurship Ideas in Montenegro | | |
| | Leading Global Cybersecurity and AI Fund Visits Montenegro | | |
| | Girls in Information and Communication Technology Day II: Inspiring Future Female Leaders | | |
| | Call for Applications to Inno-Bootcamp: "Transforming Research into Marketable Solutions and Developing Startups" | | |
| | Info Day for the InnoFin Hackathon, 19 Teams Begin Mentoring Sessions | | |
| | Constitutive Session of the Working Group for the Development of Montenegro's Artificial Intelligence Strategy Held | | |
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Calls
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NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme: Call for Proposals 2026-1 Deadline: 31 January 2026
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| SoS2LearnDBS CLed: Community-led Actions that contribute to the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” objectives in the Danube River Basin and Black Sea regions Deadline: 30 March 2026
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Events
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| Physical Activity and Sports Tech for Healthy Lifestyles (PASTECHL) 23 - 26 April 2026, Bar | | |
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Resources
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| Artificial Intelligence for Health in the WHO European Region: Country Profiles | | |
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Initiatives
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| Montenegrin Artificial Intelligence Association (MAIA) | | |
| | MontEDIH | | |
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Organisations
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| University of Montenegro | | |
| | National Competence Centre for High-Performance Computing (NCC Montenegro) | | |
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News
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| POLICY ANSWERS Innovation Management Training Delivered for Service Companies | | |
| | POLICY ANSWERS Innovation Management Training Delivered for Product-Based Companies | | |
| | Western Balkan Cities Join New EU Cities Mission Twinning Learning Programme: Sarajevo, Kumanovo, Elbasan | | |
| | POLICY ANSWERS Innovation Management Training for Companies Working with Products and Services | | |
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Calls
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NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme: Call for Proposals 2026-1 Deadline: 31 January 2026
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| SoS2LearnDBS CLed: Community-led Actions that contribute to the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” objectives in the Danube River Basin and Black Sea regions Deadline: 30 March 2026
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Resources
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| Artificial Intelligence for Health in the WHO European Region: Country Profiles | | |
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Initiatives
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| INNOFEIT EDIH | | |
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News
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| Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) and United Nations (UN) Agencies Launch Joint Training on Youth, Peace and Security in Serbia | | |
| | Serbia Joins EU4Health Programme from January 2026 | | |
| | Serbia Adopts Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence for the Period 2025–2030 | | |
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Calls
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NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme: Call for Proposals 2026-1 Deadline: 31 January 2026
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| SoS2LearnDBS CLed: Community-led Actions that contribute to the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” objectives in the Danube River Basin and Black Sea regions Deadline: 30 March 2026
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Events
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| Engaging citizens with science: Insights and success stories from across Europe - including Serbia 26 January 2026 | | |
| | International Conference: Road Safety in Local Communities 22 - 25 April 2026, Vrnjačka Banja | | |
| | EXPO 2027 Belgrade: Play for Humanity - Sport and Music for All 15 May - 15 August 2027, Belgrade | | |
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Resources
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| Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Serbia for the Period 2020-2025 | | |
| | Artificial Intelligence for Health in the WHO European Region: Country Profiles | | |
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Initiatives
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| Map of Serbia's AI Ecosystem | | |
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Organisations
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| Eupravozato | | |
| | The Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research and Development of Serbia | | |
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Other Highlights
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Calls
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Digital Europe: GenAI for the Public Administrations Deadline: 3 March 2026
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| Digital Europe: Deployment of Cutting-edge Multi-modal AI-based Solutions in Medical Imaging Deadline: 3 March 2026
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| Digital Europe: Consolidation of the Network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs with reinforced AI focus) Deadline: 3 March 2026
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| Digital Europe: Second Call for Innovation Studies for the Development of Generative AI Models Deadline: 3 March 2026
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| EIT Higher Education Initiative Call 2025 Deadline: 4 March 2026
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| SoS2LearnDBS CLed: Community-led Actions that contribute to the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” objectives in the Danube River Basin and Black Sea regions Deadline: 30 March 2026
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| Digital Europe: Cybersecure Tools, Technologies and Services Relying on AI Deadline: 31 March 2026
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| Horizon Europe Call: The Impact of Pollution on the Development and Progression of Brain diseases and Disorders Deadline: 16 April 2026
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| Call for Participation to Funding Agencies: European Partnership on Social Transformations and Resilience (STR) Deadline: 1 October 2026
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| EUREKA Open Call for Network Projects Applications Deadline: 1 January 2030
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| [Call for Action] Join the Mission Charter for EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters! Deadline: 31 December 2030
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Events
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| Horizon Europe Info Days on WIDENING calls in the WIDERA Work Programme 2026-27 22 January 2026, Online | | |
| | Engaging citizens with science: Insights and success stories from across Europe - including Serbia 26 January 2026 | | |
| | Democracy in the Neighbourhood and EU Enlargement: Horizon Europe Research Insights 26 February 2026 | | |
| | Advancement of Treatments for Rare Diseases. Conference under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union 5 - 6 March 2026, Nicosia | | |
| | EuroHPC Summit 2026 10 March 2026, Paphos | | |
| | Climate Neutral Blue Cities by 2030: Accelerating Local Change 19 - 20 March 2026, Limassol | | |
| | European Maritime Day – Maritime Forum 21 - 22 May 2026, Limassol | | |
| | Festival of the New European Bauhaus 2026 9 - 13 June 2026, Brussels | | |
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Resources
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| AI in Local Government, Driving Innovation Bridging Gaps and Shaping the Digital Transition in the Western Balkans and Moldova | | |
| | Factsheet - European Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Science | | |
| | AI Innovation Package | | |
| | AI Continent Action Plan | | |
| | Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025: Digital, Industry and Space | | |
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Programmes & Policies
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| Digital Europe Programme | | |
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Initiatives
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| AI Gigafactory | | |
| | AI Factory Network | | |
| | InvestAI Initiative | | |
| | European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking - EuroHPC JU | | |
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We Are always Here To Talk
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The Western Balkans Information Hub acts as a source of high-quality targeted Information on research, technology and innovation but also education, culture, youth and sports in, with and for the Western Balkans. It is supported by the project POLICY ANSWERS, funded by the Horizon Europe programme - Grant Agreement no. 101058873, and coordinated by Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI)
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*Kosovo This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
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