On 28 March 2024, the Western Balkans Mobility Scheme has officially been launched. Funded under Horizon Europe, the project entitled POLICY ANSWERS – R&I POLICY making, implementation ANd Support in the WEsteRn BalkanS was launched on 1 March 2022. Positioned well in line with the EU Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport (WB Agenda), POLICY ANSWERS monitors and supports policy coordination within the EU-WB cooperation, but also provides capacity building and pilot actions in the WB to contribute to the region’s EU integration process and to strengthen their innovation ecosystems.
This pilot regional mobility scheme launched by POLICY ANSWERS has a call budget of EUR 100,000, and the financial support will be given as a grant with a maximum sum of EUR 5,000 per project. It should build the foundation for a follow-up measure to be funded by regional, economy-level or international stakeholders. The aim of this scheme is to enhance regional cooperation and sustained support in mobility-driven R&I and – by fostering the interconnectedness of the WB – to support sustainable economic growth, a common regional market, societal resilience and convergence of the WB with the EU. Enhanced cooperation and sustained support in mobility-driven R&I are also pivotal for equipping the WB with the requisite tools and knowledge to address shared challenges, such as climate change and digital transformation, while fostering a generation of innovators who can reshape the region’s future.
Applications have to be submitted by the ECR via the web-based Call Management System PT-Outline only (https://ptoutline.eu/app/wbms) and will be following a one-stage procedure. The deadline for submission of applications is 31 May 2024, 17:00 CEST. More about the mobility scheme and application process is available at the following link.
This mobility scheme is supported by the Danube Rectors’ Conference and the Rectors’ Forum of Southeast Europe and Western Balkans.