We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the Workshop on Technology-Oriented Research Infrastructures: Opportunities for the Western Balkans, held on 13 May 2025 at the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, Podgorica. The event gathered stakeholders from across Europe—government officials, research leaders, innovators, and industry representatives—to discuss the role of technology infrastructures in driving innovation and regional growth.

Watch the Highlights

This short video captures the dynamic atmosphere of the POLICY ANSWERS Workshop on Technology-Oriented Research Infrastructures – Opportunities for the Western Balkans, held on 13 May in Podgorica, Montenegro

Some key takeaways

• To accelerate innovation in the Western Balkans, forward-looking investments in technology-oriented research infrastructure must go hand-in-hand with strong public-private collaboration.
• Aligning EU funding with national priorities and fostering agile, industry-driven ecosystems are essential to supporting high-tech sectors and driving economic growth.
• As EU enlargement progresses, the Western Balkans must position themselves as active contributors to the European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures. The region is rich in talent — what it needs is strong policy coordination, strategic investments, and inspiration from successful models like Fraunhofer.

Link to the video of the workshop: POLICY ANSWERS Workshop on Technology-Oriented Research Infrastructures

Below is a summary of the speakers and subjects presented at the workshop:

Key Highlights:

Opening Remarks were delivered by:

• Opening Remarks were delivered by:
• Marash Dukaj, Minister, Ministry of Public Administration, Montenegro
• ○ Bernhard Fabianek, Senior Policy Officer, European Commission, DG Research and Innovation
• Yngve Engstroem, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro
• Yngve Engstroem, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro
• Tanja Radusinovic, Chamber of Economy of Montenegro

Keynote Address by:

• Sandro Rossi, Director General, CNAO (Italy)
• Title: From the Heart of Atoms to Cancer Care: CNAO at the Frontier of Research and Innovation

Session 1: Showcasing Key Technology-Oriented Research Initiatives

• Djerdj Horvat – Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation ISR (Germany)
• Mirka Gottberg – VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd (Finland)
• Domagoj Crnkovic – PISMO Novska Gaming Incubator (Croatia)
• Nevena Radomirovic – ElevenEs (Serbia)

Nevena Radomirovic – ElevenEs (Serbia)

• Sinisa Marcic – Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)
• Vesna Bengin – BioSense (Serbia)
• Lejla Gurbeta Pokvic – Verlab (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Arben Merkoci – nanoBalkan (Albania)
• Arben Merkoci – nanoBalkan (Albania)

Open Discussion:

The open discussion was moderated by the former Minister of Science of Montenegro, Sanja Damjanović, who guided the conversation toward the utilization of synergies between national and EU funding, public-private partnerships, and strategic investments. The workshop concluded with closing remarks and a networking cocktail, offering participants a platform to exchange ideas and forge future collaborations.

Photos from the event: