R&I cooperation with Albania.
Date: 2022-02-02
Institutions: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Subjects: Albania, EU research policy, competitiveness, digital technology, innovation, organisation of research, regional cooperation, research project, scientific cooperation, technological change

R&I cooperation with

Albania is working on a host of promising 
research and innovation (R&I) projects as part 
of its European path. Regional cooperation and 
collaboration amongst researchers to further build 
capacity in R&I is part of the process.  

In fact, the Western Balkans are gaining momentum in 
research, technological development and innovation. 
Political and scientific stakeholders access the 
EC's International Cooperation page for information on 
EU funding opportunities related to R&I programmes, 
particularly Horizon Europe projects.

As part of this process, Albania is aligning with the 
new European Research Area (ERA) priorities and 
enhancing its R&I governance system.

Enter the new ERA –  
four strategic objectives

1

3

Prioritise investments and reforms 
in research and innovation to 
support the digital and green 
transition and Europe’s recovery.

Translate results for economic 
impact to ensure market 
uptake of research output and 
Europe’s competitive leadership 
in technology.

Research and 
Innovation 

2

4

Improve access to excellence  
for researchers across the EU.

Make progress on free 
circulation of knowledge, 
researchers and technology 
through stronger cooperation 
with European partners.

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Aligning with the new ERA to...

Strengthen mobility of researchers 
and the flow of knowledge 

Incentivise investing in research 
and innovation

Promote gender equality and 
diversity in science

Enhance cooperation amongst 
universities, business and other 
research and innovation actors

Main achievements

•  Full member of EUREKA, an intergovernmental network 
supporting close-to-market R&D&I global cooperation. 

•  The Albanian Academic Network is a member of GÉANT, 

the pan-European data network. 

•  Member of the EURAXESS Network and the European 

Enterprise Network. 

•  Signatory of the Declaration of Intent for the South 
East European International Institute for Sustainable 
Technologies (SEEIIST). 

•  Participation in Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020,  

the Enterprise Europe Network, Erasmus+, Creative 
Europe, Employment and Social Innovation, Customs 
2020, Fiscalis 2020, the Competitiveness of Enterprises 
and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Programme 
(COSME) and Europe for Citizens. 

•  Co-signatory of the Western Balkan Regional R&D 
Strategy for Innovation and active member of the 
Central European Initiative (CEI). 

Policies

•  National Strategy for Science, Technology and 

•  National Strategy for Development and Integration 

Innovation 2017-2022 to maximise scientific research 
and innovation at national level.  

(NSDI) 2015-2020 focused on socioeconomic 
development via government policies and actions 
aligned with EU regional policy.

 
 
 
 
Top collaborations
Collaboration links in the projects where Albania is involved

Top collaborations
Collaboration links in the projects where Albania is involved

90

Making progress...

45

Top collaborations
Collaboration links in the projects where Albania is involved

0
Top collaborations
Collaboration links in the projects where Albania is involved

90

45

0

6M

4M

EU Contribution (EUR) across Programmes

5.52M

90

45

0

2.27M

EU Contribution (EUR) across Programmes
2M
EU contribution (EUR) across programmes

6M

4M

2M

6M

EU Contribution (EUR) across Programmes

2.27M

4M
Types of organisations
Based on the net EU contribution
Types of organisations
2M
Based on the net EU contribution

2.27M

FP7

5.52M

Η2020

FP7

Η2020

5.52M

Research 
organisations

FP7

Higher or secondary education

Η2020

Others

Types of organisations
Based on the net EU contribution

22.0%

14.0%

32.4%

12.8%

18.8%

Research 
organisations
Types of organisations
Based on the net EU contribution

22.0%

Research 
organisations

22.0%

Private for-proﬁt 
(exclu. education)

Public bodies 
(exclu. research and education)

TOTAL 100%

Higher or secondary education

14.0%

32.4%

12.8%

Higher or secondary education

Others

18.8%

Others

Private for-proﬁt 
(exclu. education)
14.0%

Private for-proﬁt 
(exclu. education)

TOTAL 100%

32.4%

TOTAL 100%

Public bodies 
(exclu. research and education)

12.8%

18.8%

Public bodies 
(exclu. research and education)

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Get involved!

Check out these useful links for opportunities 
in current and future R&I activities

Horizon Europe: The EU’s key funding programme for 
research and innovation.

Albanian Academic Network: Learn about the most 
important projects in which the network participates.

Ministry of Finance and Economy

Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA): 
Find the right business partner!

AlbaniaTech: Platform that aims to unite and activate the 
key ecosystem players in Albania. Learn about the entire 
entrepreneurial scene here.

BRIGAID success story: Flood Planting at Erzeni River 
aims to prevent flooding by planting techniques that  
are environmentally friendly. It focuses on two  
alternative solutions.

Central European Initiative (CEI): 
Intergovernmental forum for regional cooperation.

Delegation of the European Union to Albania:  
Combines resources of EU institutions and EU countries  
to assist Albanian institutions.

EU for Innovation Albania: Aims to strengthen  
the innovation ecosystem and boost start up  
creation in Albania.

EURAXESS: Support services and information for 
researchers looking to pursue a career in Europe.

EUREKA: Publicly-funded, intergovernmental  
network platform.

European Cooperation in Science and Technology 
(COST): Funding organisation for the creation of research 
networks offering an open space for collaboration  
among scientists.

Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth

Ministry of State for the Protection of 
Entrepreneurship

National Agency for Scientific Research and 
Innovation (NASRI): Finances, monitors and manages 
programmes and projects in the fields of science, 
technology and innovation in Albania.

National Contact Points for Horizon Europe:  
Offer assistance and information to participate  
in Horizon Europe.

OECD publication: Competitiveness in South East Europe 
2021: A Policy Outlook.

South East European International Institute for 
Sustainable Technologies (SEEIIST):  
Promotes regional collaboration in the fields of science, 
technology and industry.

WBC-RTI.INFO: Provides high quality targeted  
information on research, technology and innovation  
for the Western Balkans.

The EUSCREEN study: Aims at comparing vision and 
hearing screening programmes for children in all EU 
Member States by using a cost-effectiveness model.

Visit the EC's International Cooperation page to find more information on research, 
technology and innovation related to the Western Balkans.

© European Union, 2022 
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PDF: ISBN 978-92-76-40705-8, doi:10.2777/67456, KI-02-21-986-EN-N