The European Research Area (ERA) is a cornerstone of the European Union’s strategy to create a unified, competitive, and innovative research ecosystem across Europe. The ERA aims to enhance the efficiency, sustainability and impact of research and innovation (R&I) in order to strengthen Europe’s position on the global stage. By fostering collaboration across borders and disciplines, the ERA enables researchers, innovators, and institutions to work together more effectively, driving the development of new technologies, solutions to societal challenges and economic growth.
In line with these objectives, the European Research Area also emphasises the importance of aligning research and innovation with broader societal goals. Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is another framework that seeks to ensure that R&I activities are conducted in ways that align with the ethical, social and cultural values of society. It encourages reflection on the societal implications of research and innovation, prompting stakeholders to consider how their work may impact society now and in the futureand also promotes topics which are similar to the ones of the ERA Framework, e.g. open science, gender, ethics, etc.
Browse below our resources, in particular news, events, calls and documents about the European Research Area.
News:
- EU strengthens science diplomacy and research security to support global research cooperation
- UNESCO Publishes Expert Recommendations on Advancing Science Diplomacy in South-East Europe
- Council Agrees on New ERA Policy Agenda and Launches ERA Policy Cycle 2025-2027
- Workshop Report related to Kosovar Draft Law for Scientific Research and Innovation
- Empowering Albanian Youth in Citizen Science: Highlights from the CORYA Study Visit in Vienna
- Results from the Ministerial Meeting of the Steering Platforms on Research & Innovation, Education & Training and Culture
- Technology Transfer Office (TTO) to Open in Podgorica
- 36 Projects Supported for the “Days of Science and Innovation 2024” Festival
- Western Balkans European Research Area (ERA) Country Reports 2023 and Factsheet 2024
- Universities of Mostar and Sarajevo has joined the European University for Peace, Justice, and Inclusive Societies
- Gender Equality Plans in the Western Balkans
- Gender Equality Plans in Kosovo*
- WBC-RRI.NET Final Conference on “Sustaining Responsible Research and Innovation in the Western Balkans”
- Interview with WBC-RRI.NET representative of Vojvodina Region, Serbia
- Interview with WBC-RRI.NET representative of Skopje Region, North Macedonia
- Interview with WBC-RRI.NET representative of Kune-Vaini lagoon, Albania
- Interview with WBC-RRI.NET representative of Montenegro
- Interview with WBC-RRI.NET representative of Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Gender Equality Plans in North Macedonia
- Gender Equality Plans in Montenegro
- Gender Equality Plans in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Gender Equality Plans in Albania
- 10 recommendations for more inclusive and improved STE(A)M education
- WBC-RRI.NET Webinar on Spreading Citizen Science in the Western Balkans successfully organised – recording available!
- WBC-RRI.NET: “Anchor initiatives” in the Country of Montenegro
- WBC-RRI.NET: “Anchor initiatives” in Kune-Vain-Tale Lagoon, Albania
- WBC-RRI.NET: “Anchor initiatives” in Skopje Region, North Macedonia
- WBC-RRI.NET: “Anchor initiatives” in Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- WBC-RRI.NET: “Anchor initiatives” in Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia
- A wide range of RRI topics among the new Horizon Europe projects starting now
- The IMPETUS Second Call is open!
- Commission recommends that Member States get citizens more involved in policymaking
- International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Interview with Biljana Angelova, Rector of UKIM
- Use of Responsible Research and Innovation concepts in STEM education – a series of video presentations based on topics in the Handbook for STEM educators
- Open Access Portal and Open Catalogue of Publications: New Initiatives at the University of Sarajevo
Events:
- Workshop: Towards a competence framework for knowledge valorisation intermediaries
- widerAdvance Facility Webinar: Knowledge versus Technology Transfer-Similarities and Differences
- Central and East European International Studies Association (CEEISA) 2026 conference
- Engaging citizens with science: Insights and success stories from across Europe – including Serbia
- Horizon Europe Info Days on ERA calls in the WIDERA Work Programme 2026-27
- Horizon Europe ERA Brokerage event: Reforming and enhancing the EU research and innovation system
- European Researchers’ Night 2025
- International Scientific Conference: Sustainable Development for Sustainable Future
- Scientific Symposium on Careers Beyond Academia and Transferable Skills for PhDs
- OPUS Project Online Workshop on Industry and Open Science: Bridging Academia and Industry
- Enhancing FAIR and Trustworthy Data Repositories: Insights from the Repositories in the Western Balkan Region
- Winter School on Open and Responsible Research and Innovation 2025
- 6th Biannual Conference of the Western Balkans Evaluation Network 2025: Strengthening Evaluation Frameworks: Development, Policy, and Practice
- STS Conference Graz 2025: Critical Issues in Science, Technology and Society Studies
- ENRIO Congress 2025: Research Integrity, Power Dynamics and Safe Institutional Culture
- Butterfly Innovation Forum 2024
- INSPIRING ERA Exchange: How to make Research Careers more sustainable and attractive? Ways to benefit from the new EU-level policies and tools (webinar)
- The role of Academia and Industry to inspire the next STEM generation (Satellite event to the Big Science Business Forum 2024)
- 24th Gender Summit “Uniting the values of scientific excellence and social progress in knowledge, practice and communication”
- European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) Symposium 2024
- Research Management and Administration (RMA) Network: V4+WB Training School in Banja Luka
- CEEISA International Studies Association Joint International Conference 2024: Knowing the global-local: Imagining pasts, debating futures
- ECSITE 2024 on Science Engagement
- WBC-RRI.NET Webinar: Towards Diamond Open Access in Western Balkans
- IMPETUS Open Call Webinar 2
- WBC-RRI.NET webinar: Core skills for effective science communication
- Case study competition and Final Event of the WBC-RRI.NET project in Skopje 8-9 February 2024
Calls:
- Serbia: 2nd Public Call for Citizen Science
- EIC Women Leadership Programme 5th Cohort
- Call for Proposals on Enhancing the European R&I system (HORIZON-WIDERA-2024-ERA-01)
- IMPETUS Second Call: Accelerator
- IMPETUS Second Call: European Union Prize for Citizen Science
- EmpoWomen Call for Women Entrepreneurs in Widening Areas
Documents:
- IGNITA initiative: Enhancing Western Balkans Participation in Horizon Europe and Framework Programme 10
- JRC Essentials, Tools and Practices for Countries and Regions
- European Competence Framework for Research Managers
- A Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth & Sport
- POLICY ANSWERS Policy Brief: The Western Balkans on the Road to Framework Programme 10
- Strategic Foresight in the Western Balkans
- Evaluation of Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation
- Open Data Maturity (ODM) Reports 2023
- WBC-RRI.NET Policy Brief on Enhancing Science Education through Citizen Science: Students’ Perceptions and Motivations in STEM/STEAM Learning
- How to communicate science in a world of misinformation (WBC-RRI.NET factsheet)
- WBC-RRI.NET Social Media How-to Guide
- Embedding RRI in the Western Balkans
- Handbook for STEM educators
- The social sciences and humanities contributions to citizen science: insights from the COESO project journey
- Research Ethics and Ethical Research: An Example of Integrating Ethics in R&I Research
- Unmasking Workplace Inequality in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Blueprint for Gender responsive Just Transition for All in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Recommendation on promoting the engagement and effective participation of citizens and civil society organisations in public policy-making processes
- Open Science Practice in Western Balkan Countries
- POLICY ANSWERS Foresight: Recommendations for the Future of R&I in the Western Balkans
Links:
Institutions and Organisations:
- Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI)
- Regional Association for Responsible Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Albania
- South-East European Research Centre
- Vojvodina ICT Cluster
- Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development
- STEAM+ Albania
- European Science Foundation (ESF)
- University of Novi Sad
- National centre for development of innovation and entrepreneurial learning (NCDIEL)
- Macedonian Academy of Arts and Sciences
- University of Banja Luka (UNIBL)
Initiatives:
- Equality Diversity and Inclusion for Research Enhancement in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- IMPETUS: setting a citizen science innovation programme for exploring innovative funding schemes and boosting recognition
- Embedding RRI in Western Balkan Countries: Enhancement of Self-Sustaining R&I Ecosystems (WBC-RRI.NET)
- Empowering democracy: nurturing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s civic engagement through the Proactive Citizens project (PRAGG)
- ORN – UNSA Open Research Network: Fostering R&D Infrastructure Development, Technology Transfer and Private Sector Collaboration
- Pattern
