The Western Balkans Innovation Vouchers are a financial incentive designed to facilitate partnerships and knowledge exchange between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and public research institutions across the Western Balkans (WB).

On 12 April 2024, the Western Balkans Innovation Vouchers pilot programme has been launched as part of the pilot programmes of POLICY ANSWERS project (R&I POLICY making, implementation ANd Support in the WEsteRn BalkanS). The call will be open until 26 June 2024 (16:00).

The call for applications is open to SMEs operating in the WB region, while public research institutions will be service providers. The beneficiary and service provider must be from different Western Balkans economies for each application.

The vouchers are a simple direct financial incentive that allows SMEs to cover part of the costs of the services provided by public research institutions.

The pilot programme aims to stimulate research and innovation activities by providing vouchers to eligible applicants, fostering the development of new products, services, and technologies, while bolstering innovation and economic growth and contributing to green and digital transition in the region.

About POLICY ANSWERS

POLICY ANSWERS focuses on the research and innovation (R&I) policy and governance systems in the Western Balkans while covering the aspects of education, culture, youth and sports. The project monitors and supports policy coordination within the EU-WB cooperation, strengthening the WB’s potential for successful participation in regional and multilateral research and innovation activities. It promotes regional cooperation in R&I and supports networking and access to information and excellence.

More detailed information on the application process, criteria, evaluation and selection within the Western Balkans Innovation Voucher pilot programe are available below or in the Guide for Applicants.ć

All questions related to the application process should be addressed to FITD via the following email address: innovationvouchers@fitr.mk.

 

More info https://www.westernbalkans-infohub.eu/calls/western-balkans-innovation-voucher-scheme/