The Brussels conference continued a practice established during the ZSI-coordinated POLICY ANSWERS project: co-locating Science|Business events alongside the ministerial meetings of the Western Balkans Steering Platform on Research and Innovation. Earlier gatherings in Skopje and Podgorica already brought together regional stakeholders and EU institutions, linking high-level policy dialogue with practical experiences and success stories from the research and innovation community. Holding these events alongside the ministerial meetings created opportunities to connect political priorities with implementation, broaden the exchange beyond government representatives and raise the visibility of the Western Balkans within the wider European research and innovation landscape. The 2026 Brussels event built on this approach, taking the preceding day’s ministerial discussions as a starting point for examining future cooperation and integration.
The follow-up project POLICY ENLARGE was represented by project coordinator Béla Kardon (RCISD) contributing to the panel on European research and innovation policy dialogue between Widening countries and the Western Balkans. ZSI’s Desiree Pecarz is responsible for the Work Packages on Policy Dialogue and Dissemination in this project.
Elke Dall participated as coordinator of the CUSP project in the discussion on the role of science diplomacy in the Widening region. This session explored how research and innovation cooperation can support closer European integration and maintain connections in a challenging geopolitical environment.
Alongside the policy discussions, the conference’s “Spotlight on success” segments showcased innovation in action from the region. Ready4EIC, led by Inese Gavarane (ZSI), identified the young innovators featured at the event, helping bring their experiences and ambitions into the conversation. This linked discussions about funding, cooperation and integration with the people developing new ideas and seeking opportunities to grow within Europe’s innovation ecosystem.
Together, the ZSI had the opportunity to connect science diplomacy, policy cooperation and practical support for innovators as complementary approaches to strengthening Southeast Europe’s participation in European research and innovation.
More information: https://sciencebusiness.net/events/expanding-and-integrating-knowledge-ecosystems-southeast-europe
