The Innovation vouchers of the Western Balkans are a financial incentive designed to facilitate partnerships and knowledge exchange between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and public research institutions across the Western Balkans (WB).<\/p>\n\n
The pilot program of the Western Balkans Innovation Vouchers was launched on April 12, 2024, as part of the POLICY ANSWERS project (R&I POLICY making, implementation ANd Support in the WEsteRn BalkanS). The call will be open until June 26, 2024.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n The call for applications is open to SMEs operating in the Western Balkans region, while public research institutions will be the service providers. The applicant and the service provider must be from different economies within the Western Balkans for each application.<\/p>\n\n Vouchers are a simple direct financial incentive that allows SMEs to cover part of the costs of services provided by public research institutions.<\/p>\n\n The pilot program aims to encourage research and innovation activities by providing vouchers to qualified applicants, promoting the development of new products, services, and technologies, while simultaneously strengthening innovation and economic growth, and contributing to the green and digital transition in the region.<\/p>\n\n