The Smart Labour Network (SLN) recently hosted a webinar dedicated to Smart Specialisation (S3) and its role in shaping innovation, skills, and sectoral development in the Western Balkans. The session featured a presentation by Nikola Radovanović from the European Training Foundation (ETF), who provided an in-depth overview of the S3 approach and its application across the region.
The discussion highlighted the continued relevance of Smart Specialisation as a framework for aligning innovation policies, skills systems, and sectoral priorities, particularly in the context of the green and digital transitions. Across the WB6 economies, agri-food and ICT continue to emerge as key priority areas, with increasing emphasis on sustainability and technological transformation.
Participants engaged in a dynamic exchange on the implementation challenges of S3, including funding constraints, governance complexity, and the need for stronger continuity between strategy design and implementation. Particular attention was given to the role of the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) and the importance of sustained stakeholder engagement over time.
The discussion also resonated with the objectives of the FARMER – Future Agri-Tech Reskilling and Modern Education Reimagining project, implemented under the Erasmus+ programme. By focusing on the alignment between skills development and agri-tech innovation, FARMER directly contributes to the operationalisation of Smart Specialisation priorities in the region. The project supports the modernization of vocational education and training (VET) systems, strengthens links with industry, and fosters regional cooperation—key elements identified during the webinar as critical for effective S3 implementation.
The SLN will continue to build on these insights, supporting dialogue and collaboration around Smart Specialisation and its role in driving sustainable and innovation-led growth in the Western Balkans.
