Courage for the Future (2024)

The six Western Balkan countries are gradually integrating into the European Union through their education, research, and innovation sectors, even before their potential accession. To accelerate this process, the eighth Joint Science Conference of the Berlin Process has issued a statement calling for a realignment of the EU’s approach to education, research, and innovation in the Western Balkans. The conference advocates for the unification of two key EU principles: excellence and solidarity. To operationalise this approach, the conference proposes the establishment of a “Western Balkans Facility for Skills, Research, and Innovation.” This facility would consolidate funds and instruments from various EU programmes. The statement was formulated in preparation for the 10th Western Balkans Summit of Heads of State and Government.