SMIC Community: Connecting Manufacturers in the Western Balkans
Western Balkans Regional Innovation Academy
As part of the Policy Answers project, implemented across six Western Balkan economies - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro - the Western Balkans Regional Innovation Academy has been created. This specialized e-platform offers more than 25 diverse educational units, organized into four thematic areas and several groups.
The materials are available in various formats, including texts, videos, online courses, success stories of innovative companies, and presentation slides. This represents a new way of delivering content from this field to the wider research community, both in Serbia and across the Western Balkans region.
Access to the platform is available via the following link:
https://lnkd.in/exS-JCdm
Calling all Young Innovators: the WSA Young Innovators 2025 Call is open!
The United Nations-affiliated WSA is on the lookout for revolutionary digital innovations that demonstrate the potential of technology for social impact all over the globe! WSA Young Innovators Call is open to innovative solutions (applications, projects, products…) that:
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are developed by young innovators under the age of 26 (one of the core members and the majority of the team is under 26)
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create positive changes in society or the environment by contributing to the UN SDGs
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have a strong digital component: apps, webpages, software solutions, AI, applications for wearables, SMS based products, games and interactive productions…
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are market-ready or already launched on the market - no ideas or drafts!
Why apply?
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Get invited to the WSA Global Congress to make connections, pitch your solution, and get knowledge
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Become an internationally recognised best practice example of using digital tools for social good and gain global visibility
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Discover other game-changing innovations and build your impact network
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Get access to mentoring opportunities, pitch training, and workshops
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Join a devoted multi-stakeholder community of like-minded changemakers, social innovation experts, and industry leaders
Deadline: 31 October 2025
More info can be found here: https://wsa-global.org/wsa_categories/wsa-young-innovators/
Promotion of Research and Development Projects between Germany and the Western Balkans (WEB2025)
This call is announced in the context of the Federal Government’s Strategy for the Internationalisation of Science and Research and the Programme “Strengthening Germany in the European Research and Education Area”: Guideline for the Promotion of Research and Development Projects between Germany and the Western Balkans (WEB2025), Federal Gazette of 20.03.2025.
The purpose of the funding directive is to offer universities, non-university research institutions and companies in the commercial sector (especially small and medium-sized enterprises – SMEs) the opportunity to implement joint projects with partners from Germany and the Western Balkans in accordance with their scientific strengths and problem-solving competence.
The grants are granted by way of project funding as a non-repayable grant and usually with up to 300,000 euros per network and usually for a duration of up to 36 months.
The project outline must be submitted by a German applicant or association together with at least one cooperation partner from a Western Balkan state. There is no intention to support multilateral projects (e.g. with partners from several Western Balkan countries). Projects should document the potential for long-term and sustainable cooperation with the respective Western Balkan state.
Eligible applicants are universities, non-university research institutions and other institutions that provide research contributions, companies in the commercial sector and, in particular, SMEs. Funding goes to an institution serving the non-economic activity of the recipient of the grant in Germany (first grant recipient) who also receives any funds to be forwarded to the final grant recipient in the Western Balkans (final beneficiaries).
Please note, that only German project partners are allowed to submit applications. In case of any questions, please contact your German project partner who can check with the responsible call administrators.
Projects in the three cross-sectional areas of Digital Transformation, Green Deal and Healthy Societies are funded. These issues are in line with the strategic priorities of the “Smart Specialisation Strategies” as well as the national research strategies of the Western Balkan countries themselves and are the central themes of the European Commission in the introduction of the Western Balkans to the European Union. These themes can also be found in the thematic areas of the Research and Innovation Strategy for the Future and in the thematic priorities of the EU’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe. Topics in the humanities and social sciences (keyword “social innovation”) are also eligible for funding.
For more information: https://foerderportal.bund.de/easyonline/reflink.jsf?m=IB-EUROPA&b=WBC25FUEZ4&t=SKI
Circular Economy Awards 2025
Have you made a real impact by implementing circular practices, designing sustainable products, or advocating for the circular economy in your community?
The Circular Economy Awards, launched by the Western Balkans Circular Economy Hub, recognises pioneers, organisations, and innovators who are advancing circularity across the region.
There are seven award categories:
Deadline: 10 September 2025
Don’t miss the chance to gain visibility and recognition for your circular achievements across the Western Balkans.
Questions? Contact: regionalcehub@gmail.com