On 6 November 2025, Brussels hosted the third EU Kosovo Horizon Europe Joint Research and Innovation Committee meeting, marking another milestone in the growing scientific and innovation partnership between the European Union and Kosovo under the Horizon Europe Programme
The EU Joint Committee meeting brought together senior representatives from both sides. It was co-chaired by Ms Mina Stareva, Deputy Head of Unit for International Cooperation – Europe and Americas at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, and Donikë Kastrati, Adviser to the Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) of Kosovo.
New EU priorities focus on innovation and industrial competitiveness
The EU co-chair presented the new political guidelines set out by European Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, showing a stronger focus on innovation, startups, and research.
These priorities hope to boost Europe’s industrial competitiveness, promote knowledge valorisation, and support the next generation of innovators and researchers.
The new orientation will be reflected in the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026–2027, which aims to strengthen research infrastructures and enhance cooperation with associated countries, such as Kosovo.
Some of the initiatives highlighted included the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the Research Infrastructure Strategy, the upcoming European Research Area Act, the Innovation Act, and the European Commission’s proposal for the subsequent Research and Innovation Framework Programme.
Kosovo’s advancing research and innovation policies
Kosovo’s delegation shared progress on its national research and innovation policy landscape, underlining the country’s commitment to fostering science and technology as drivers of sustainable development.
Among the main updates were the National Science Programme and the upcoming Strategy for Innovation 2030+, both designed to modernise research governance, improve funding mechanisms, and strengthen cooperation with European partners.
These efforts reflect Kosovo’s growing ambition to build a knowledge-based economy and ensure that its scientific community can benefit more fully from European research opportunities.
Participation in Horizon Europe
Discussions focused on the implementation of the Horizon Europe association agreement, particularly on the currently limited participation of Kosovar researchers and institutions in the programme.
Both sides explored practical ways to increase engagement and ensure that Kosovo’s scientific potential is more effectively integrated into European research networks.
The EU Joint Committee meeting also examined the reciprocity principle and reviewed Kosovo’s access to upcoming opportunities in the Horizon Europe Work Programmes, with special attention to the WIDERA component, COST Actions, and the programmes of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the European Innovation Council (EIC).
A more connected and innovative Kosovo
The European Union encouraged Kosovo to finalise and adopt its Smart Specialisation Strategy, a key instrument for aligning national strengths with European innovation priorities.
It was also recommended that Kosovo ensure sufficient data collection and analysis to be included in the European Innovation Scoreboard by 2027.
The third Joint Committee meeting reaffirmed the mutual commitment of both parties to deepen cooperation in research and innovation. By aligning strategic priorities and expanding opportunities for participation, the EU and Kosovo aim to build a more innovative, competitive, and sustainable research ecosystem.
