The cross-country online meeting for the project “Research, innovation and technology transfer in the agri-food sector in the Western Balkan countries, Phase II” took place on 11 and 12 May. It gathered around 80 participants including representatives from research and education institution, relevant ministries’ representatives, advisory services, private sector from the Western Balkan region and Turkey, as well as representatives of the European Commission and EU research institutions and networks. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange knowledge and experiences on research, innovation and technology transfer in agriculture between the pre-accession countries and the EU Member States and draw actionable policy recommendations.

The project is financed by DG AGRI via the Engage programme and implemented by the consortium comprised of the Wageningen (Economic) Research (WEcR) and the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in SEE (SWG). The objective of the project is to enhance research, innovation and technology transfer (RITT) in the agri-food sector in the Western Balkan countries/territories as well as facilitate RITT capacities related to green and clean technologies in the context of its contribution to the European Commission’s Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. It builds on the first phase in which RITT capacities in the Western Balkans have been assessed.