Empowering Innovation: How the Western Balkans Are Building a Smarter Digital Future

In a rapidly digitising world, staying still is the same as falling behind. But what if the Western Balkans could leap ahead—together?

This was the driving spirit behind the 3rd Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) Regional Workshop held in Niš, Serbia, which on June 11–12, 2025. Coupled with the energy of the 9th Forum of Advanced Technologies—TechMomentum that attracted 800 participants, the event was more than just another gathering of the region’s professionals. 

The workshop brought together DIHs, European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), and innovation practitioners from across the region. Co-organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the Science and Technology Park Niš, the event aimed to boost the region’s innovation ecosystem by addressing a crucial question: how can DIHs transform potential into performance?

The answer? Through capacity building, knowledge sharing, and cross-regional cooperation.

Voices at the workshop emphemphasisedasized that the strength of DIHs lies in their ability to translate global opportunities into local value. Presentations by FundingBox underscored upcoming EU funding streams and strategic recommendations to ensure regional DIHs are not just reactive but proactive players in the region’s and Europe’s digital transformation.

A clear highlight was the focus on knowledge transfer. Participants were vocal: they don’t just want to build networks—they want to build smart networks which facilitate the transfer of knowledge and good practices. The RCC’s ongoing initiative, a Toolkit for Knowledge Transfer at Public Universities in the Western Balkans Six (WB6), was introduced as a practical step toward embedding the innovation culture in academic institutions.

Meanwhile, the EU4DIGITAL project—funded by the European Commission and implemented by GIZ—showcased how digital bridges are already being built, especially in developing EDIHs that serve as the region’s digital lighthouses.

One of the Forum’s panels explored the sustainability of EDIHs in the Western Balkans, addressing both the promise and the pain points. While seven EDIHs in the region are already operational, others—bearing the EU’s prestigious Seal of Excellence—are on the starting blocks, ready to compete for funding in 2025.

The takeaways from past support programmes during 2023–24 rang loud and clear: they worked. Participants overwhelmingly called for their continuation, especially those centerecentredd on training, proposal preparation, and the irreplaceable power of in-person events to build trust and momentum.

Two forward-looking recommendations stood out: first, the establishment of a structured regional knowledge transfer mechanism. Second, a platform that fosters sustained communication and collaboration among innovation hubs. This isn’t just about talking the talk—it’s about designing the digital economy of the region.

As the Niš workshop came to a close, one thing was evident: the Western Balkans are not just watching Europe’s digital shift—they’re shaping it. Not in isolation, but together through collaborative actions.