The special Twinning call for Western Balkans will contribute to the wide policy initiative to support of Western Balkan countries. The European Commission adopted on 6th of October a comprehensive Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans (COM(2020) 641, 6/10/2020) , which aims to spur the long-term economic recovery of the region, support a green and digital transition, foster regional integration and convergence with the European Union.
Twinning aims to enhance networking activities between the research institutions of the Western Balkan Countries and top-class leading counterparts at EU level by linking it with at least two research institutions from two different Member States or Associated Countries. Therefore, building on the huge potential of networking for excellence through knowledge transfer and exchange of best practice between research institutions and partners. Twinning actions intend to help raise the research profile of the institution from the Western Balkan country as well as the research profile of its staff including a special focus on strengthening the research management and administrative skills of the coordination institution from the Western Balkan Country.
In order to support reaching the goals of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans and to ensure the sustainability of investment in the region, the Commission will propose a dedicated Agenda for the Western Balkans on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (‘Innovation Agenda for the Western Balkans’).
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- Improved excellence capacity and resources in Western Balkan countries enabling to close the still apparent research and innovation gap within Europe.
- Enhanced strategic networking activities between the research institutions of the Western Balkan countries and at least two internationally-leading counterparts at EU level.
- Raised reputation, research profile and attractiveness of the coordinating institution from the Western Balkan country and the research profile of its staff.
- Strengthened research management capacities and administrative skills of the staff working in institutions from the Western Balkan country.
- Improved creativity supported by development of new approaches in R&I collaboration, increased mobility (inwards and outwards) of qualified scientists.
Deadline for submission of proposals is 5 October 2021, 17:00 Brussels time.
The open call is available on the following link.
