Our mission through human capital development pillar is to foster sustainable transformation in the Western Balkans towards a knowledge-based economy, ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens.
Mobility: Our objective is to support increased mobility in the Western Balkans, transforming towards a knowledge-based economy. We emphasize regional agreements to remove barriers, ensuring full commitment, inclusive education, and opportunities for professionals, students, and researchers. The results include supported regional agreements, improved education opportunities, and the realization of free movement within the region.
Research & Innovation: Our goal is to fully integrate the Western Balkans into the European Research Area and develop a robust regional innovation ecosystem. Despite recent progress, the region still faces challenges due to insufficient investment in research and development (R&D), impacting its competitiveness. Key activities focus on bolstering a regional innovation ecosystem, enhancing R&I performance through capacity building and networking of digital innovation hubs and technology transfer offices, and the promotion of innovation culture. Expected results include better coordination, utilized use of research infrastructures, and increased participation in the European Union's programmes.
Women Economic Empowerment: Economic empowerment of women is crucial. Addressing gender inequalities, the RCC lays the groundwork for women entrepreneurship and inclusion in key sectors. Initiatives like the Regional Network of Women in Entrepreneurship and Regional Network of Women in STEM aim to provide networking, visibility, and support. Key activities involve supporting women's economic empowerment, harnessing untapped human capital, strengthening women's footprint in transformation agendas, and promoting STEM for women.
Employment: Our goal is to increase employment opportunities and align with the European Pillar of Social Rights. Leveraging the WB Common Regional Market Agenda, the ESAP focuses on strengthening institutional capacities, providing assistance on employment policies, and conducting PES bench-learning cycles. Results aim for improved labour market policies, alignment with EU acquis, and advancements in social rights implementation. Through capacity building and policy support, we target improved employment rates, especially for women and youth.
Bolstering Youth: The Youth Agenda strives to transform the region into knowledge-based societies. Activities include Youth Policy Labs, talent promotion, student engagement, and creating youth networks. Results anticipate increased regional cooperation, youth-friendly policy-making, and active involvement in decision-making processes.
Roma Integration: We aim to increase equality, inclusion, and participation of Roma through anti-discrimination measures, socio-economic inclusion, and institutional capacity building.
