The Regional Impact Lab concluded today with the grantees of the ERC Grant Scheme and the 7th Call for Proposals, closing three intensive days of learning, exchange, and practical problem-solving.
On the final day, we zoomed out and looked ahead, with a particular focus on the funding opportunities the Western Balkans Fund will roll out in 2026. This forward-looking discussion helped grantees position their work for the next phase and identify where regional needs and opportunities are heading.
A key part of the day was also dedicated to the new Partnership Platform, designed to strengthen regional cooperation by facilitating communication, matchmaking, and project collaboration. The goal is simple: help strong ideas find the right partners faster and build better regional consortia from the start.
Finally, we went straight to implementation realities, how to reduce bureaucracy, simplify reporting, and make delivery smoother. The message from participants was clear: less time on paperwork, more time on real impact.
The Regional Impact Lab, along with the ERC Grant Scheme and the 7th Call for Proposals, is co-funded by the European Union through IPA III – the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance.
