{"id":3179912,"date":"2026-07-06T21:46:26","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T21:46:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webalkans.eu\/themes\/innovation-and-skills\/innovation-and-research\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T10:19:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T10:19:35","slug":"innovation-and-research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/webalkans.eu\/sr\/themes\/innovation-and-skills\/innovation-and-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovation and research"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>Innovation and research<\/h1>\n<div>\n<p>Investing in research and innovation is key to growth and job creation. While the Western Balkan economies have improved in terms of innovation performance over the last ten years, the region still lags behind the European average.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Innovation-and-research.jpg\" alt=\"Innovation and research\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>But the potential is there, and the talent is there! The EU is already behind many initiatives that support young researchers and enable cooperation between research and business, and across borders.<\/p>\n<p>This support is set to increase with the Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, developed with Western Balkans partners. This will reap big gains for researchers, innovators, and businesses alike.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/whatAreTheCallenges-image-3.png\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<h3>What are the challenges?<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>The Western Balkan region has huge growth prospects but the innovation gap with the EU remains wide. All economies are behind the EU goal of devoting 3% of GDP to R&#038;D activities. This hampers innovation, and productivity and competitiveness. Challenges include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Public and private sector investment in research, development and innovation (RDI) is low relative to the EU average.<\/li>\n<li>Many young talents struggle to see a future in the field of research due to a lack of funding opportunities and limited support.<\/li>\n<li>Limited collaboration results in an innovation gap. The research and business communities need to work closely together if society is to benefit from the results of research.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The region needs large-scale investment to catch up and enhance collaboration to tackle the big challenges of the day, open access to new markets, and fully exploit its innovation potential.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/howIsTheEuResponding-image-4.png\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<h3>How is the EU responding?<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>As aspiring EU members, cooperation in research, development and innovation (RDI) is of utmost importance. A robust, innovative and competitive private sector is also essential for the socio-economic development of the Western Balkans and its regional integration.<\/p>\n<p>The EU has invested in many programmes dedicated to enhancing RDI in the region over many years. The <a href=\"https:\/\/research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu\/funding\/funding-opportunities\/funding-programmes-and-open-calls\/horizon-europe_en\">Horizon Europe<\/a> research programme has given opportunities to hundreds of researchers and companies in the region to collaborate with partners. EU investment has also helped build the \u2018hard\u2019 infrastructure such as incubators and research hubs, essential for creating networks and partnerships.<\/p>\n<p>The main vehicle though which innovation is supported in the prviate sector is the EU-led donor investment platform, the Western Balkans Investment Framework and its private sector component \u2013 the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbif.eu\/sectors\/private-sector\">Western Balkans Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility (WB EDIF)<\/a> which enables access to finance for SMEs. This has helped many start-ups and innovative companies, often regarded as too \u2018risky\u2019 for other investors, to get off the ground.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icon-1.svg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<h3>\u20ac168m in EU research funding for Western Balkans from start of Horizon programme<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icon-2.svg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<h3>565 research collaboration projects between EU and Western Balkans (2007-2020)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div>*Results for period 2015 to 2020 (Western Balkans Investment Framework)<\/div>\n<h2>Ongoing support<\/h2>\n<div>Promoting research and innovation opportunities is at the heart of the EU\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/neighbourhood-enlargement\/sites\/default\/files\/communication_on_wb_economic_and_investment_plan_october_2020_en.pdf\">Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans<\/a> (EIP). Adopted in 2020, this substantial investment package is providing a major stimulus to the region with \u20ac9 billion in EU grants and guarantees that are set to leverage \u20ac20 billion in favourable loans.<\/div>\n<div>Aligned to the EIP, the <a href=\"https:\/\/research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu\/strategy\/strategy-2020-2024\/europe-world\/international-cooperation\/western-balkans_en#agenda-on-innovation-research-education-culture-youth-and-sports\">Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport<\/a>, developed with Western Balkans partners, sets the long-term strategy for cooperation in innovation and research. The goal is to accelerate the capacity of the region to innovate, build on the region\u2019s strengths, enhance skills, and translate innovation into competitiveness and productivity gains. Particular attention will be paid to scaling up investment in green technologies and supporting green innovation.<\/div>\n<div>Support centres on:<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3>Unlocking potential of the private sector<\/h3>\n<div>Raising the quality standards of companies, increasing financing for business, and providing training for entrepreneurs. This will enable the region\u2019s private sector to benefit from greater market integration and trade within the region, and with the EU.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Strengthening competitiveness of SMEs<\/h3>\n<div>Supporting start-ups and the scaling up of innovative companies, as well as programmes to support financial and digital literacy and digitising of companies and incubators.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Capacity building<\/h3>\n<div>Developing Smart Specialisation Strategies to prioritise national research efforts and allocate the resources required. This will build on the region\u2019s strengths and potential, and strengthen research, innovation and technology transfer.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Boosting collaboration<\/h3>\n<div>Bringing new solutions and technology onto the market requires strategic and joint efforts. Enhanced EU support will facilitate the exchange of knowledge between business and academia, create more robust research and innovation ecosystems, and connect the region with Europe\u2019s research infrastructure and networks.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>FEATURED PROJECTS<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Project-1-Seeiist.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<h3>SEEIIST facility for cancer therapy<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/seeiist.eu\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Project-2-EU4TECH-1024x456.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<h3>EU4TECH Proof of Concept scheme<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/eu4tech.eu\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Project-3-ANTARES-1024x617.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<h3>ANTARES digital transformation of agriculture<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cordis.europa.eu\/project\/id\/739570\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>KEY CONTACTS AND PARTNERS<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/education.ec.europa.eu\/focus-topics\/eea-in-the-world\">European Commission \u2013 Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu\/strategy\/strategy-2020-2024\/europe-world\/international-cooperation\/western-balkans_en\">European Commission \u2013 Directorate-General for Research and Innovation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu\/index_en\">European Commission \u2013 Joint Research Centre<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu\/strategy\/strategy-2020-2024\/our-digital-future\/european-research-area_en\">European Research Area<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eib.org\/en\/projects\/regions\/enlargement\/the-western-balkans\/index.htm\">European Investment Bank<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eif.org\/what_we_do\/resources\/wbedif\/index.htm\">European Investment Fund<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.etf.europa.eu\/en\">European Training Foundation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rcc.int\/priority_areas\/15\/research-innovation\">Regional Cooperation Council<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wbedif.eu\">Western Balkans Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wbif.eu\/sectors\/digital-infrastructure\">Western Balkans Investment Framework<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!--more--><br \/>\n<!-- {\"type\":\"layout\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"section\",\"name\":\"Title\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"padding_top\":\"xsmall\",\"style\":\"default\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"background_color_gradient\":\"linear-gradient(to bottom, white 50%, #e9edff 50%)\",\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"headline\",\"props\":{\"class\":\"uppercase\",\"content\":\"Innovation and research\",\"image_align\":\"left\",\"image_margin\":\"xsmall\",\"text_align\":\"center\",\"title_element\":\"h1\",\"title_style\":\"h1\"}},{\"type\":\"text\",\"props\":{\"block_align\":\"center\",\"column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Investing in research and innovation is key to growth and job creation. While the Western Balkan economies have improved in terms of innovation performance over the last ten years, the region still lags behind the European average.<\/p>\n\n\",\"margin_bottom\":\"large\",\"margin_top\":\"default\",\"maxwidth\":\"2xlarge\",\"text_align\":\"center\",\"text_style\":\"lead\"}},{\"type\":\"image\",\"props\":{\"block_align\":\"center\",\"image\":\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Innovation-and-research.jpg\",\"image_alt\":\"Innovation and research\",\"image_border\":\"rounded\",\"image_height\":600,\"image_svg_color\":\"emphasis\",\"image_width\":1240,\"margin_bottom\":\"medium\",\"margin_top\":\"default\",\"text_align\":\"center\"}},{\"type\":\"text\",\"props\":{\"block_align\":\"center\",\"column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"content\":\"\n\n<p>But the potential is there, and the talent is there! The EU is already behind many initiatives that support young researchers and enable cooperation between research and business, and across borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This support is set to increase with the Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, developed with Western Balkans partners. This will reap big gains for researchers, innovators, and businesses alike.<\/p>\n\n\",\"margin_bottom\":\"default\",\"margin_top\":\"default\",\"maxwidth\":\"2xlarge\",\"text_align\":\"center\",\"text_style\":\"lead\"}}]}]}]},{\"type\":\"section\",\"name\":\"WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"style\":\"default\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"large\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"panel\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>The Western Balkan region has huge growth prospects but the innovation gap with the EU remains wide. All economies are behind the EU goal of devoting 3% of GDP to R&D activities. This hampers innovation, and productivity and competitiveness. Challenges include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n\n<li>Public and private sector investment in research, development and innovation (RDI) is low relative to the EU average.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Many young talents struggle to see a future in the field of research due to a lack of funding opportunities and limited support.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Limited collaboration results in an innovation gap. The research and business communities need to work closely together if society is to benefit from the results of research.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The region needs large-scale investment to catch up and enhance collaboration to tackle the big challenges of the day, open access to new markets, and fully exploit its innovation potential.<\/p>\n\n\",\"content_column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"image\":\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/whatAreTheCallenges-image-3.png\",\"image_align\":\"right\",\"image_border\":\"rounded\",\"image_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"image_grid_width\":\"1-2\",\"image_height\":1000,\"image_svg_color\":\"emphasis\",\"image_width\":1000,\"link_style\":\"default\",\"link_text\":\"Read more\",\"margin_bottom\":\"default\",\"margin_top\":\"default\",\"meta_align\":\"below-title\",\"meta_element\":\"div\",\"meta_style\":\"text-meta\",\"panel_padding\":\"small\",\"panel_style\":\"tile-default\",\"title\":\"What are the challenges?\",\"title_align\":\"top\",\"title_element\":\"h3\",\"title_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"title_grid_width\":\"1-2\",\"title_hover_style\":\"reset\",\"title_style\":\"h2\"}}]}]}]},{\"type\":\"section\",\"name\":\"HOW IS THE EU RESPONDING?\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"style\":\"default\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"large\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"panel\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>As aspiring EU members, cooperation in research, development and innovation (RDI) is of utmost importance. A robust, innovative and competitive private sector is also essential for the socio-economic development of the Western Balkans and its regional integration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The EU has invested in many programmes dedicated to enhancing RDI in the region over many years. The <a href=\\\"https:\/\/research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu\/funding\/funding-opportunities\/funding-programmes-and-open-calls\/horizon-europe_en\\\">Horizon Europe<\/a> research programme has given opportunities to hundreds of researchers and companies in the region to collaborate with partners. EU investment has also helped build the \u2018hard\u2019 infrastructure such as incubators and research hubs, essential for creating networks and partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main vehicle though which innovation is supported in the prviate sector is the EU-led donor investment platform, the Western Balkans Investment Framework and its private sector component \u2013 the <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.wbif.eu\/sectors\/private-sector\\\">Western Balkans Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility (WB EDIF)<\/a> which enables access to finance for SMEs. This has helped many start-ups and innovative companies, often regarded as too \u2018risky\u2019 for other investors, to get off the ground.<\/p>\n\n\",\"content_column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"image\":\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/howIsTheEuResponding-image-4.png\",\"image_align\":\"left\",\"image_border\":\"rounded\",\"image_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"image_grid_width\":\"1-2\",\"image_height\":1000,\"image_svg_color\":\"emphasis\",\"image_width\":1000,\"link_style\":\"default\",\"link_text\":\"Read more\",\"margin_bottom\":\"default\",\"margin_top\":\"default\",\"meta_align\":\"below-title\",\"meta_element\":\"div\",\"meta_style\":\"text-meta\",\"panel_padding\":\"small\",\"panel_style\":\"tile-default\",\"title\":\"How is the EU responding?\",\"title_align\":\"top\",\"title_element\":\"h3\",\"title_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"title_grid_width\":\"1-2\",\"title_hover_style\":\"reset\",\"title_style\":\"h2\"}}]}]}]},{\"type\":\"section\",\"name\":\"KEY FACTS\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"style\":\"secondary\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"large\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"props\":{\"column_gap\":\"medium\",\"layout\":\"1-2,1-2\",\"row_gap\":\"medium\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"width_medium\":\"1-2\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"panel\",\"props\":{\"content_column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"image\":\"wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icon-1.svg\",\"image_align\":\"left\",\"image_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"image_grid_width\":\"1-4\",\"image_svg_color\":\"emphasis\",\"image_svg_inline\":true,\"link_style\":\"default\",\"link_text\":\"Read more\",\"margin_bottom\":\"default\",\"margin_top\":\"default\",\"meta_align\":\"below-title\",\"meta_element\":\"div\",\"meta_style\":\"text-meta\",\"panel_padding\":\"large\",\"panel_style\":\"card-secondary\",\"text_align\":\"center\",\"title\":\"\u20ac168m in EU research funding for Western Balkans from start of Horizon programme\",\"title_align\":\"top\",\"title_element\":\"h3\",\"title_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"title_grid_width\":\"1-2\",\"title_hover_style\":\"reset\",\"title_style\":\"h3\"}}]},{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"width_medium\":\"1-2\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"panel\",\"props\":{\"content_column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"image\":\"wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icon-2.svg\",\"image_align\":\"left\",\"image_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"image_grid_width\":\"1-4\",\"image_svg_color\":\"emphasis\",\"image_svg_inline\":true,\"link_style\":\"default\",\"link_text\":\"Read more\",\"margin_bottom\":\"default\",\"margin_top\":\"default\",\"meta_align\":\"below-title\",\"meta_element\":\"div\",\"meta_style\":\"text-meta\",\"panel_padding\":\"large\",\"panel_style\":\"card-secondary\",\"text_align\":\"center\",\"title\":\"565 research collaboration projects between EU and Western Balkans (2007-2020)\",\"title_align\":\"top\",\"title_element\":\"h3\",\"title_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"title_grid_width\":\"1-2\",\"title_hover_style\":\"reset\",\"title_style\":\"h3\"}}]}]},{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"props\":{\"block_align\":\"center\",\"column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"content\":\"*Results for period 2015 to 2020 (Western Balkans Investment Framework)\",\"margin_bottom\":\"default\",\"margin_top\":\"default\",\"maxwidth\":\"2xlarge\",\"text_align\":\"center\",\"text_style\":\"meta\"}}]}]}]},{\"type\":\"section\",\"name\":\"ONGOING SUPPORT\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"style\":\"muted\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"large\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"headline\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"Ongoing support\",\"image_align\":\"left\",\"image_margin\":\"xsmall\",\"title_element\":\"h2\",\"title_style\":\"h2\"}},{\"type\":\"text\",\"props\":{\"column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"content\":\"Promoting research and innovation opportunities is at the heart of the EU\u2019s <a href=\\\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/neighbourhood-enlargement\/sites\/default\/files\/communication_on_wb_economic_and_investment_plan_october_2020_en.pdf\\\">Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans<\/a> (EIP). Adopted in 2020, this substantial investment package is providing a major stimulus to the region with \u20ac9 billion in EU grants and guarantees that are set to leverage \u20ac20 billion in favourable loans.\",\"margin_bottom\":\"default\",\"margin_top\":\"default\"}},{\"type\":\"text\",\"props\":{\"column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"content\":\"Aligned to the EIP, the <a href=\\\"https:\/\/research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu\/strategy\/strategy-2020-2024\/europe-world\/international-cooperation\/western-balkans_en#agenda-on-innovation-research-education-culture-youth-and-sports\\\">Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport<\/a>, developed with Western Balkans partners, sets the long-term strategy for cooperation in innovation and research. The goal is to accelerate the capacity of the region to innovate, build on the region\u2019s strengths, enhance skills, and translate innovation into competitiveness and productivity gains. Particular attention will be paid to scaling up investment in green technologies and supporting green innovation.\",\"margin_bottom\":\"default\",\"margin_top\":\"default\"}},{\"type\":\"text\",\"props\":{\"column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"content\":\"Support centres on:\",\"margin_bottom\":\"default\",\"margin_top\":\"default\"}},{\"type\":\"grid\",\"props\":{\"content_column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"filter_align\":\"left\",\"filter_all\":true,\"filter_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"filter_grid_width\":\"auto\",\"filter_position\":\"top\",\"filter_style\":\"tab\",\"grid_column_gap\":\"medium\",\"grid_default\":\"1\",\"grid_medium\":\"4\",\"grid_row_gap\":\"medium\",\"image_align\":\"top\",\"image_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"image_grid_width\":\"1-2\",\"image_svg_color\":\"emphasis\",\"item_animation\":true,\"lightbox_bg_close\":true,\"link_style\":\"default\",\"link_text\":\"Read more\",\"margin_bottom\":\"default\",\"margin_top\":\"default\",\"meta_align\":\"below-title\",\"meta_element\":\"div\",\"meta_style\":\"text-meta\",\"panel_padding\":\"small\",\"panel_style\":\"card-default\",\"show_content\":true,\"show_hover_image\":true,\"show_hover_video\":true,\"show_image\":true,\"show_link\":true,\"show_meta\":true,\"show_title\":true,\"show_video\":true,\"title_align\":\"top\",\"title_element\":\"h3\",\"title_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"title_grid_width\":\"1-2\",\"title_hover_style\":\"reset\",\"title_style\":\"h4\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"Raising the quality standards of companies, increasing financing for business, and providing training for entrepreneurs. This will enable the region\u2019s private sector to benefit from greater market integration and trade within the region, and with the EU.\",\"title\":\"Unlocking potential of the private sector\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"Supporting start-ups and the scaling up of innovative companies, as well as programmes to support financial and digital literacy and digitising of companies and incubators.\",\"title\":\"Strengthening competitiveness of SMEs\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"Developing Smart Specialisation Strategies to prioritise national research efforts and allocate the resources required. This will build on the region\u2019s strengths and potential, and strengthen research, innovation and technology transfer.\",\"title\":\"Capacity building\"}},{\"type\":\"grid_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"Bringing new solutions and technology onto the market requires strategic and joint efforts. Enhanced EU support will facilitate the exchange of knowledge between business and academia, create more robust research and innovation ecosystems, and connect the region with Europe\u2019s research infrastructure and networks.\",\"title\":\"Boosting collaboration\"}}]}]}]}]},{\"type\":\"section\",\"name\":\"FEATURED PROJECTS\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"style\":\"default\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"large\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"headline\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"FEATURED 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