Focus point on physics in the Balkans: perspectives and challenges

The primary objective of this EPJ + Focus Point is to contribute to reviewing the current state of physics research in the Balkans.As indicated by Milošević et al. [1], the overall scientific output of physicists from the Balkans, considering factors such as population size, investments in science, and others, aligns with global trends.A distinctive feature of physics in the Balkans is the more than 30-year-old tradition of organizing triennial congresses, specifically the International General Physics Conferences, under the auspices of the Balkan Physical Union (BPU).For all nations represented as BPU Member Societies, including Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey, the BPU11 Congress has served as a platform to showcase the research achievements of numerous conference participants and their collaborators in the Balkans, Europe, and worldwide.