Regional round table, UBL

On 5 December 2025, the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, hosted the regional round table within the USE IPM – Up-skilling Researchers for Sustainable Entrepreneurship based on Innovation Process Management project. The meeting focused on presenting, comparing, and harmonizing national Research and Innovation (R&I) Strategies and Action Plans aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the widening countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia.

The event was organized by the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka, and gathered research team members and experts from all partner institutions. Opening remarks were delivered by:

• Prof. Marija Radosavljević, PhD, USE IPM Project Coordinator,
• Prof. Saša Petković, PhD, Operational Manager of CPME – Center for Project Management and Entrepreneurship.

Throughout the sessions, partners presented their national R&I strategies and action plans, highlighting priority areas for strengthening innovation capacity, supporting start-ups and entrepreneurial initiatives, improving university–industry–government collaboration, and fostering digital and green transformation.

Participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia shared their conclusions and recommendations, which served as the basis for drafting a joint regional approach—a key objective of WP5 within the USE IPM project. The final discussion, led by Prof. Marija Radosavljević and Prof. Saša Petković, resulted in agreed harmonized conclusions that will guide future project activities.

The round table reaffirmed the importance of coordinated regional cooperation in innovation development and contributed to shaping consistent, evidence-based recommendations for improving the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Western Balkans.