Date: 22 May 2026

Venue: Europa House, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Registration and link to connect: here

Organisers: The Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) within the framework of the MSCA-GLOPOL Project

Following the hybrid MSCA-GLOPOL Regional Flagship event: Strengthening the Western Balkan Research & Innovation ecosystem – 22 May 2026, this workshop aims to build upon the discussions MSCA objectives and cooperation opportunities with the Western Balkans.

Objectives

• Synthesise takeaways: Include specific opportunities and lessons learnt from the successful participation the WB countries have in the COST actions for enhancing their involvement in the MSCA.
• Foster cross-border dialogue: Provide an interactive space for researchers, alumni, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to exchange ideas directly.
• Enhance connections: Connect researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, by fostering dialogue and collaboration on MSCA-related opportunities.

World Café Format Agenda

The World Café format allows participants to rotate through different thematic breakout rooms, building upon the ideas of previous groups to create a comprehensive dialogue.

Time	Agenda item	Presenter
13:00	Presentation of the afternoon on MSCA possibilities of Participation	Armela Dino, MSCA-GLOPOL project officer with the special collaboration of Radenka Krsmanović Whiffen, Science Officer, COST Association
13:00-14:30	Three thematic World Café tables discussed in the morning	Participants are divided in three tables. They swap the table every 30min.
14:30	Closing remarks	Joaquín Capablo, MCAA Board Representative

World Café topics and specific questions per breakout room

Topic A. Boosting collaboration with the COST Actions in the WB for MSCA success, with the participation of

This table addresses regional opportunities and lessons learnt from the success in the COST Actions for boosting MSCA success.

• Targeting success stories, but not only: What specifically is there to be done to learn from how WB is doing in COST and to translate it towards the MSCA success. Who would do that? What format works best? What are the COST recommendations.
• Understanding the dynamics: While COST funds only networking, MSCA funds individuals and institutions. From an institutional perspective what would make WB institutions successful to translate their involvement in COST into a successful MSCA funding. Why are the rates for MSCA success so low in WB having remarkable COST collaboration? How can the difficulties be leveraged?
• Specific tips that can support MSCA Success in WB: What concrete tips would the COST Association representative give to the participants?

Topic B: Expanding Doctoral Training and Institutional Cooperation

This table will focus on the MSCA Doctoral Network Call and explore practical cooperation opportunities with Wester Balkans (WB) institutions on doctoral training.

• Institutional Bridging: How can European institutions better identify and connect with key WB universities to build robust, mutually beneficial doctoral networks? What needs to be put in place for a better connection? What format works best?
• Aligning Priorities: What are the most significant disconnects between European funding structures and the on-the-ground realities of WB doctoral training, and how can these be mitigated?

Topic C: Inter-sectoral and Interdisciplinary Collaboration in WB

This table addresses regional opportunities for international, inter-sectoral, and interdisciplinary collaboration, building on the flagship event’s panel discussions.

• Industry Integration: What barriers prevent researchers from transitioning their work into practical sectors (e.g., healthcare systems or local industries) in the WB?
• Leveraging MCAA Networks: How can researchers better utilize the MCAA network to build the interdisciplinary collaborations necessary to advance science across the WB?  

The event is open to the public.

For info, please contact:

Armela Dino glopol.mcaa-pro.officer@mariecuriealumni.eu

N’Zallah Haro glopol.mcaa-com.officer@mariecuriealumni.eu