Berlin Process

The Berlin Process supports the rapprochement of the Western Balkan countries with the EU and promotes regional cooperation and reconciliation in South Eastern Europe. In addition to issues relating to the rule of law, the economy and connectivity, it also covers education, science and social dialogue.

The countries participating in this intergovernmental format are Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Commission.

In 2014, the German government asked the Leopoldina to coordinate the activities in the "Science, Education and Society" pillar of the Berlin Process - at the time a pilot project of German science diplomacy.

The Berlin Process Joint Science Conference was founded for this purpose, bringing together important stakeholders from the education and science systems. These include national academies, universities, research institutions, outstanding experts and young researchers. They are joined by representatives of international organisations such as the OECD and the European Commission.

The conferences are held annually in one of the participating countries: Berlin (2015, 2021, 2024), Vienna (2016), Paris (2017), Rome (2018), Lodnon (2019), Tirana (2023) and Ljubljana (2025).

They will address the challenges and reforms in the education and science systems of the Balkan region as well as current problems in Southeast Europe, particularly brain drain and political pressure on science.

The results are summarised in joint statements and presented at the annual summit meetings of the heads of state and government.