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On 6 October 2021, at the EU-Western Balkans Brdo Summit, leaders of the European Union and its Member States, together with Western Balkans leaders launched the ‘Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport’, a comprehensive, long-term cooperation strategy of the European Union and the Western Balkans. The strategy promotes scientific excellence as well as reform of the region’s education systems, create further opportunities for the youth, and help prevent brain drain.
The Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport and its Action Plan builds on three main pillars:
- Political Agenda, Towards a sustainable future by stimulating an economy that supports the recovery and helps to create jobs
- Reflecting the strategic importance of the region and supporting its integration process through an increased EU engagement;
- Nurturing knowledge-based societies and evidence-informed policy making;
- Supporting the association to all the Union programmes covering Research, Innovation, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport;
- Supporting the implementation of systemic changes and reforms.
- Thematic Agenda: towards closer alignment with the EU strategic priorities
- Transforming the national research and innovation eco-systems;
- Counteracting climate change and supporting the digital transformation;
- Promoting the implementation of the EU Green Deal in the Western Balkans.
- Regional Agenda: towards a closer regional economic integration through planned investments in human capital development and digital transformation
- Enhancing the quality of education and training;
- Boosting human capital development;
- Reducing the gender and digital divide;
- Improving mobility and connectivity;
- Fostering cultural and regional cooperation.