Western Balkans: "Make the most of available opportunities in view of EU's enlargement" (E. Zaharieva)

"The Growth Plan for the Western Balkans will strengthen innovation ecosystems, which will help boost R&I investment, which is often below 1% of GDP, and below our EU target of 3%", declares Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, on 12/06/2025, at the Rector's Forum of Southeast Europe and Western Balkans, held in Brussels (Belgium).

The plan, launched in 2024 to increase access to funding for Western Balkans and their integration in EU activities, is supported by a funding of €6 Bn for the period 2024-2027.

This initiative is built on the Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, launched in October 2021 by the European Commission, the EU member states and Western Balkan partners.

"I would like to particularly highlight the key role of EU member states: Romania and Hungary's Extreme Light Infrastructures, Bulgaria's leadership in establishing an advanced cancer therapy centre, Slovenia's library system widely used across South-East Europe, and numerous bilateral initiatives strengthening the work of…