Shaping the future in the Western Balkans together. Highlights from the POLICY ANSWERS project

The four-year journey of the POLICY ANSWERS project was completed by the end of April 2026. Over its duration the project has contributed to the ongoing integration of the WB in the European Research Area (ERA) by supporting research and innovation systems in strengthening capacities, cooperation mechanisms and engagement with European frameworks. The project structured its works in seven Work Packages: Policy Dialogue; Monitoring for Agenda Setting; Capacity Building and Support; Aligning Priorities; Regional Pilot Activities; Western Balkans Info Hub and Communication; Project Management. To learn more about the POLICY ANSWERS achievements, we invite you to read the newest and final version of the project ebook. Some of the main achievements of the Work Packages can be found below. Policy Dialogue By bringing together policymakers and stakeholders from across the WB and the European Union, the project has supported the emergence of shared priorities and more aligned policy approaches. This process has contributed to strengthening cooperation across the region while supporting a more coordinated positioning within the ERA. In particular, three Ministerial Meetings have been organised, in Tirana (2022), Skopje (2024) and Podgorica (2025), while 16 meetings of the Western Balkans Steering Platforms were held (twelve online and four in person). These initiatives have strengthened regional cooperation and supported policy alignment. Monitoring for Agenda Setting The project has led extensive analytical and monitoring activities, mapping over 430 stakeholders, analysing over 200 programmes and policies and identifying over 100 initiatives and best practices. The project developed a Monitoring Card system for six key areas: Research and Innovation; Education Youth, Culture Digital Competitiveness; Environment; Common Regional Market. Four editions of the Monitoring Cards were published, from 2023 to 2026. The most recent edition of the Monitoring Cards are available here. It produced two ERA reports (2023 and 2024) to track WB integration into the ERA, ERA Cards based on these reports to show each economy’s progress and provide recommendations with regard to ERA integration, and an ERA Fact Sheet summarising the integration of the Western Balkans into the ERA. In addition, it produced a Foresight Card to present key recommendations for strengthening research and innovation in the WB and several briefs and reports based on specific needs and to emphasise the outcomes of its activities. Among the various Policy Briefs developed by the project, two particularly addressed the preparation for FP10 at two points in time (2024 and 2026). Capacity Building and Support The project implemented capacity-building programmes co-designed with regional stakeholders. By addressing country-specific needs, POLICY ANSWERS has supported a more structured and implementation-oriented approach to research and innovation across the region. The activities have focused on strengthening practical skills, institutional capabilities and cooperation mechanisms across the WB, targeting key areas such as policy design, EU programme participation, university support, business engagement and training on circular economy, blue growth and health. These initiatives have supported the circulation of knowledge within the region and a more active participation of the WB in European research and innovation processes. Short video summaries have also been created to celebrate the achievements. Aligning Priorities POLICY ANSWERS has supported the alignment of WB priorities with key EU policy frameworks. In this context, it published Policy Reports and Policy Briefs focusing on three thematic areas: Digital Transformation, Green Transition and Healthy Societies. The POLICY ANSWERS conference in Sarajevo (2023) brought together 140 participants from 19 economies, while the EU-Western Balkans Policy Dialogue Platform resulted in over 270 stakeholders across 26 economies, and a series of 17 webinars involving 26 expert speakers engaged more than 370 participants and generated over 1,000 views. Browse all POLICY ANSWERS policy briefs and reports on the project page. Regional Pilot Activities The Pilot Programmes of POLICY ANSWERS implemented practical solutions to strengthen the R the Western Balkans Mobility Scheme, to support early-career researchers mobility in the WB; the Western Balkans R the Regional Promoter Scheme for Research Infrastructures, to increase the visibility of research infrastructure development; the Western Balkans Regional Innovation Academy platform, to provide diverse, peer-reviewed and high-quality digital content; the Western Balkans Fellowship Programme to support local partners in their work. Western Balkans Info Hub and Communication Communication and dissemination activities within POLICY ANSWERS have supported engagement across the research and innovation community in the WB. A central element of this approach is the Western Balkans Info Hub, designed to share updates, resources and opportunities, supporting continuous interaction across the region and with European initiatives. This platform featured over 3,000 average monthly page views, 46 newsletters issued and more than 8,800 followers on LinkedIn and YouTube. In total, more than 150 events have been attended, including workshops and training sessions. Project Management The collaborations among institutions, research organisations, public bodies and innovation actors from across the WB and the EU has enabled the alignment of perspectives, priorities and expertise, supporting the implementation of activities across multiple thematic areas and policy levels. Project management ensured effective administrative, financial and technical coordination within the consortium and with the European Commission, enabling the delivery of activities and the achievement of the project’s objectives.