Recommendation to improve research management and administration in Western Balkans

1 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. Equality Diversity and Inclusion for Research Enhancement in Bosnia Herzegovina Project full title: Equality Diversity and Inclusion for Research Enhancement in Bosnia Herzegovina Project acronym: EDIRE Call: HORIZON-WIDERA-2021-ACCESS-02 Type of action: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions Start date: 1 September 2022 End date: 31 October 2025 Project number: 101060145 Deliverable 5. 3 Recommendation to improve research management and administration in Western Balkans Work Package: 5 Due Date: October 2025 Submission Date: 30.10.2025 Lead Beneficiary: UNIGE Version: Final Status: Submitted Lead Beneficiary: UNIGE Author(s): Carla Maria Reale, UniGE and Angela Celeste Taramasso, UniGE Reviewed by: Jasminka Hasić Telalović, Mirza Rastoder, Liisa Hanninen and Olga Kolotouchkina, Zahia, Guessoum, Sofiane Mahi Deliverable Type: public Dissemination Level: PU - Public 2 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. Version history Version Date Author(s) Comments 0.1 15/07/2025 Carla Maria Reale and Angela Celeste Taramasso (UNIGE) First draft 0.2 23/07/2025 Angela Celeste Tarmasso (UNIGE) Revisions and comments 0.3 25/08/2025 Jasminka Hasić Telalović, Mirza Rastoder (SSST) Revisions and comments 0.4 29/09/2025 Jasminka Hasić Telalović Mirza Rastoder (SSST) Revision and copy edits suggested 0.5 20/10/2025 Liisa Hanninen and Olga Kolotouchkina (UCM), Revision and comments 0.6 21/10/2025 Angela Celeste Taramasso Carla Maria Reale (UNIGE) Revision and comments 0.7 28/10/2025 Zahia, Guessoum, Sofiane Mahi (URCA) Revision and comments 0.8 28/10/2025 Angela Celeste Taramasso Carla Maria Reale (UNIGE) Revisions 0.9 29/10/2025 Jasminka Hasić Telalović (SST) Revision and comments 1 29/0/2025 Angela Celeste Taramasso e Carla Maria Reale (UNIGE) Final version 3 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. Deliverable abstract The document contains a detailed report on all the activities performed in the WP. The final section collects a set of recommendations to be disseminated to other WB HEIs, RPOs, and RFOs facing similar problems. The deliverable contains a detailed description of WP5 activities at the end of the project, paying particular attention to the setting up of the specialized Unit at SSST. Moreover, an overview of training courses developed by EDIRE partners for both academic and administrative staff at SSST and beyond is offered. These courses were designed to enhance skills and knowledge relevant to research management practices. Overall period of the project, collaboration between EDIRE partners has strengthened significantly as we collectively worked towards the development of new project proposals that are now collected in this document. This collaborative effort underscores our commitment to advancing research excellence and innovation. The final part of the document draws from EDIRE experience, to articulate recommendations for Western-Balkans research realities. Copyright and legal notice The views expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or position of the European Commission. Neither the authors nor the EDIRE Consortium are responsible for the use which might be made of the information contained in here. 4 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. Glossary of abbreviations AI Artificial Intelligence BA Bosnia and Herzegovina EC European Commission EDI Equality, Diversity and Inclusion ESR Early-Stage Researcher EU European Union GE Gender Equality GM Gender Mainstreaming HE Higher Educational HPC High Performance Computing IOT Internet Of Things IPR Intellectual Property Rights KoM Kick-off-Meeting ORPA Office for Research and Project Administration SSST University Sarajevo School of Science and Technology TUD TU Dublin – Technological University Dublin UCM Complutense University of Madrid UN United Nations UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNIGE University of Genoa URCA University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne WP Work package 5 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. Table of Contents 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................6 2. Recognition of current situation for boosting research management and fundraising capacities at SSST and beyond (T5.1) .................................................................................................................................................7 3. Setting up and running of a research management/administration unit within SSST (T5.2) ...........8 4. Mentoring and reinforcement (T5.3) .................................................................................................................... 15 5. Training courses (T5.4) .............................................................................................................................................. 16 6. Joint research projects (T5.5) .................................................................................................................................. 20 Youth EU: Guidance to Emancipation and Autonomy of Youth at Risk of Social Exclusion in Dialogue with Third Countries.................................................................................................................................................................... 20 GendEX – Gender Dynamics and Masculinities in the Far Right: Innovation Evidence-Based Solutions for Policy and Practice ................................................................................................................................................................ 20 REACHr – Responsible Ethics in AI and Cutting-edge Horizon Research .......................................................... 21 Who Runs the Digital World? .................................................................................................................................................. 22 AI4EDI – AI-Powered Foresight for Gender Equality and Inclusive Societies: Designing Ethical Future-Ready Education and Systems ................................................................................................................................ 22 7. Recommendation to improve research management and administration in WB ............................... 24 Improve Access to Information on Funding Opportunities ...................................................................................... 24 Strengthen Institutional Administrative Capacity......................................................................................................... 24 Enhance Financial Planning and Budgeting Skills ......................................................................................................... 24 Develop and share internal templates and practical tools (such as EDIRE MS7). .................................................. 24 Align Research Priorities with Funding Programmes ................................................................................................. 25 Foster International Collaboration and Networking ................................................................................................... 25 Address Co-Financing Barriers ............................................................................................................................................... 25 Adopt Essential Policy and Regulatory Frameworks ................................................................................................... 25 Support Project Implementation and Role Distribution ............................................................................................ 26 Streamline Public Procurement Processes ....................................................................................................................... 26 Ensure the Reusability of Research Results and Open Science Practices .......................................................... 26 Annex ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 6 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. 1. Introduction This deliverable contains the description of all the activities carried out in EDIRE within the framework of WP5 until the end of the project. WP5 is a Work package on Expertise development in research management and fundraising. It was focused on ensuring that SSST develops structures and capacities in research management and fundraising in line with the standards required for research-intensive universities in the European Research Area (ERA). WP5 aimed at increasing the internationalisation and the research management and administration performance of SSST. WP5 Specific Objectives were: 1) establishing a new Research Management Unit within the institution; 2) organising capacity building activities and high-level training for developing research management capabilities within SSST staff; 3) implementing sustainable and durable actions to ensure a higher number of submitted applications to external R&I calls; 4) engaging the highest possible number of SSST staff and especially those at high-level positions. WP5 consisted of five different tasks, this chapter discusses each task and the related activities which were conducted under each. The document highlights the project's achievements, challenges and strategic recommendations for improving research management and governance in the Wester-Balkan countries. Mentoring and reinforcement activities such as capacity building, high-level training and research management skills development are emphasised as crucial. In addition, the report emphasises the importance of training courses in a variety of areas such as fundraising, project management, intellectual property rights, technology transfer, and EDI awareness. The report describes the central role of this project in shaping the discourse on gender equality and inclusion and serves as a model for future efforts seeking European funding in the Wester-Balkan countries. Finally, the report contains a series of policy recommendations to systematically address these challenges. These recommendations emphasise the importance of specialised units (as the Office for Research and Project Activities at SSST), training courses and policy measures to improve institutional and administrative capacity, foster collaboration and support researchers throughout the project life cycle. 7 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. 2. Recognition of current situation for boosting research management and fundraising capacities at SSST and beyond (T5.1) This first task (M1-5) started with the Kick-of-Meeting, which was organized at SSST on the 23rd of September 2022. On that occasion, bilateral meetings were organized between SSST and UNIGE Staff to review and analyse the current research management and fundraising infrastructures in SSST. Two panel sessions and a discussion between academics and government representatives were also held at this time. The first panel included EDIRE partners and experienced Horizon scheme participants, including Prof. Dr. Angela Celeste Taramasso, Rector’s Advisor for Equality and Inclusion at the University of Genoa and Prof. Dr. Yvonne Galligan, Director of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at Technological University Dublin. The panellists shared successful project initiatives that incorporated EDI principles at the core of their activities and explained the importance of gendering data and knowledge across all scientific branches and fields. The second panel included individuals from BiH – Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Nikolić, the Minister of Science, Higher Education and Youth of Sarajevo Canton; Prof. Dr. Jasmina Husanović from the University of Tuzla; and the academician Prof. Dr. Mirsada Hukić from the Academy of Sciences and Art of Bosnia-Herzegovina. This panel consisted of discussions about recent efforts to highlight and implement gender mainstreaming within the university channels, and about sensitizing academia stakeholders and those involved with decision-making structures on the importance of implementing EDI-related changes. Having participants from BiH provided an opportunity to discuss research management and fundraising capacities within the country. As part of this task, SSST conducted a survey of higher education and research institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, collecting data from 10 institutions with the aim of assessing adherence to EDI principles and current research and innovation practices and infrastructures. The activities helped to illuminate the areas of research management and administration procedures at SSST in need of improvement, and which could benefit from further attention. The task’s main outcome was presented in the D5.1 Action Plan, which contains a detailed report on the assessment of the situation at SSST and other research institutions in BiH. 8 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. 3. Setting up and running of a research management/administration unit within SSST (T5.2) This task was specifically devoted to the creation of a new research management/administration unit at SSST, as required by the call itself. According to the needs that emerged in the activities in T5.1 in M6, a new Administration Research Unit was established with the aim of implementing capacity building activities and increasing the Unit's project design and management capabilities as a means of securing sustainability (MS2). The Unit was named the ‘Office for Research Project and Administration’(ORPA). Within the EDIRE project activities, and through the many trainings that have been conducted, ORPA has strengthened its capacities and has been put in the Institutional Statute of SSST University. For most of the project ORPA was composed of three employees (while at the beginning it was 2) all of whom having previous experience in the design and management of research projects. The names of the persons involved have been: • Edis Arifagić, Head of the ORPA Mr. Edis Arifagić (Bosnia and Herzegovina) is the University's Director of Research and Project Administration, providing overall coordination and oversight of all externally sponsored programs implemented by the University. Edis has more than 20 years of global experience in delivering large-scale development projects, serving in senior roles with both the OSCE and the UN’s Development Program. He has successfully fundraised and implemented technical assistance and infrastructure programs valued at over EUR 120 million. Edis is also a Senior Response and Recovery Coordinator with the United Nation’s Emergency Surge Program and has worked as a consultant for a range of international organisations and corporations. He holds degrees from Henderson State University (USA) and the University of Bristol (UK) in Political Science and International Security, respectively. • Amina Katica, ORPA Assistant As a Project Officer, Amina Katica plays a crucial role in managing administrative project tasks, contributing significantly to the efficient execution of various initiatives. She is responsible for overseeing coordination efforts and ensuring quality assurance across projects. Amina is also tasked with managing the International office, where she oversees cross-border projects and facilitates international cooperation for University SSST. In this role, she facilitates effective communication and collaboration between diverse teams, ensuring that projects are executed smoothly and efficiently across geographical boundaries. • Selma Dedović, ORPA Assistant Selma Dedović, with a background in law, finance, and project assistance, applies her skills in overseeing financial and other project operations at ORPA. In her current role, she handles tasks like drafting agreements, preparing financial reports, and overseeing budgeting with a careful approach to ensure document integrity and 9 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. protect the interests of all parties involved. Selma also manages open calls, evaluating proposals to support ongoing projects and contribute to their smooth progression. Her systematic document review and comprehensive understanding of financial and legal nuances make her a valuable contributor to effective project management and implementation. • Hena Saraj Atlić Hena Sara Atlic has built a solid foundation in implementation of project activities with a specific focus on digitalisation, youth empowerment, and supporting civil society organisations (CSOs). With notable experience at international organisations like the UNDP, she has focused on utilising digital technologies to foster development and ensure equitable opportunities. At SSST, Hena is assisting in coordination of project activities, stakeholder engagement, and promotion of digital solutions within projects, while demonstrating a strong commitment to social improvement. • Jasmina Bajramović, ORPA Assistant for Internationalization (who left SSST in 2024) In the final year of the project, the composition of ORPA changed to the following members: • Prof. Dr. Jasna Hivziefendić, ORPA Manager • Amina Katica • Mersiha Muranović • Selma Dedović Prof. Jasna Hivziefendić is a Full Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology. With over two decades of experience in the field, she has significantly contributed to the advancement of science, technology, and engineering in the region. Prof. Hivziefendić has a robust portfolio in EU-funded projects, having managed ten international initiatives and assessed numerous EU project proposals over the past ten years. Her involvement spans various EU programmes, including Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Digital Europe, and COST Actions. Notably, she has served as an evaluator for Horizon 2020 projects, assessing proposals and monitoring project implementations, thereby influencing the direction of research and innovation funding in Europe. In addition to her project management and evaluation roles, Prof. Hivziefendić has been an active advocate for gender equality in STEM fields. She has publicly emphasized the importance of equal opportunities for women in science and technology, asserting that competence and perseverance are key to success, irrespective of gender. Her advocacy is reflected in her participation in conferences and initiatives aimed at promoting gender inclusivity in academia and industry. Furthermore, Prof. Hivziefendić contributes to the academic community by providing training on EU project proposal writing. In collaboration with Dr. Adna Ašić, she lectures at Verlab Academy, equipping participants with essential skills for preparing and submitting successful EU project applications. This training covers an overview of EU programmes, project design and budgeting, and the development of logical framework matrices, among other topics. 16 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. 5. Training courses (T5.4) As described in detail in D.5.1, EDIRE was to offer six different types of courses to different groups of personnel at SSST: 1) fundraising and research funding; 2) project design; 3) project management, including financial issues; 4) IPR and technological transfer; 5) RRI principles, especially for what concerns Open Science, ethics, and gender and diversity issues in research); 6) EDI and gender awareness and unconscious bias for leading position Managers/Chairpersons, Secretaries of scientific fields, Directors and Deputy Directors. EDIRE offered several trainings on different topics. Most lessons were held on zoom and recorded, while a few were held in person. Training saw a lively participation of SSST staff, but most of the training is also available on the EDIRE YouTube channel, so that staff and interested persons can watch them in an asynchronous way. The table provides a list of training courses that took place, their title as well as the name of trainers involved. Training type Partner Training Topic Targetted audience (ECR, Admin or Leadership) Inperson or online Trainer(s) Fixed Time(s) Project design TUD Participating in Horizon Europe projects: How do I identify suitable calls and what to do next? Researchers online Sara Clavero 1st Sept 2023 RRI principles, especially for what concerns Open Science, ethics and gender and diversity issues in research TUD Integrating gender+ intersectional approaches in the project design process Senior Researchers online Sara Clavero 12th October 2023 Research and equality TUD Tackling unconscious bias in research ECRs online Caitriona Delaney 8th December 2023 EDI and gender awareness TUD Leadership for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Universities and Research Organisations ECRs online Yvonne Galligan 27th March 2024 EDI and research methods TUD The What, Why, and How of Using Narratives in Intersectional Research PhD and Researchers online Caitriona Delaney 24th March 2024 17 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. Academic writing and publishing for ECR TUD How to select a journal to publish your research ECRs online TU Dublin staff 2nd February 2024 Fundraising and research funding UCM Fulbright US Student Program ECR online José Peña, ECR 22nd September 2023 Project design UCM Building international partnerships for a project success Leadership online Liisa Hanninen, Cristina Pérez, Patricia Nuñez 14th April 2023 Project management, including financial issues UCM Internal management of European projects: challenges and best practices Administrati ve staff in person Liisa Hanninen 6th. March 2024 EDI and gender awareness and unconscious bias for leading position Managers/Chairper sons, Secretaries of scientific fields, Directors and Deputy Directors, where TUD has a deep expertise. UCM Gender equality resources in academia and research all onlline Lucía Vázquez 28th of September 2023 Research management for ECR UCM A road to PhD: supervision, networking and autonomous work ECR online Clara SánchezRebato Valiente + guest speaker 29th of September 2023 Academic writing and publishing for ECR UCM From abstract to published paper ECR *in person Olga Kolotouchkina , Liisa Hanninen 23rd January 2024 Fundraising and research funding UNIGE Horizon Europe Administrati ve staff online Cinzia Leone 20th September 2023 18 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. Project design UNIGE Risks and contingencies measures in EU projects Research staff online Cinzia Leone/Rita Bencivenga 15th November 2023 Project management, including financial issues UNIGE Typical obstacles and challenges in project management Administrati ve staff, Researchers online Cinzia Leone 27th September 2023 RRI principles; gender and diversity issues in research UNIGE RRI, gender and intersectionality PhD and Researchers online Carla Maria Reale 13th December, 2023 EDI and gender awareness and unconscious bias for leading position Managers/Chairper sons, Secretaries of scientific fields, Directors and Deputy Directors, where TUD has a deep expertise. UNIGE Eu projects and GEPs: links, strategies Researchers, Administrati ve staff online Rita Bencivenga 20th September 2023 Research management for ECR UNIGE Grant writing PhD and Researchers online Cinzia Leone 22nd November 2023 Academic writing and publishing for ECR UNIGE Social media for ESRs PhD and Researchers online Rita Bencivenga 22nd November 2023 EDI and gender awareness URCA Awareness: The Missing Link in EDI, PhD and Researchers online Sofiane Mahi 14th March 2025 Academic writing and publishing for ECR URCA Collective Intelligence PhD and Researchers online Zahia Guessoum 23rd March 2023 Academic writing and publishing for ECR URCA Social Signals in Affective Cognitive Sciences: Recognition and Production Researchers, Administrati ve staff online Ali Oker 4th June 2024 Academic writing and publishing for ECR URCA HPC / IA / Quantic Researchers, Administrati ve staff online ROMEOCenter Arnaud Renard, Théo Barrios,Frédér ic Maguière 10th April 2025 Research management URCA AI for Managers Leadership online Théo Barrios 22nd April 2025 19 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. Research management for ECR URCA Co-supervized PhD and Postdocs ECR online Prof. Jasminka Hasić Telalović (SSST), Dr. Zahia Guessoum, Sofiane Mahi, Džana Bašić 15th June 2025 20 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. 6. Joint research projects (T5.5) The personnel of the newly established Research management office, ORPA, have been exploring since the beginning of its activities funding possibilities that are offered in the framework of both national and international research funding programs. The consortium has explored different opportunities within every pillar of Horizon Europe and will continue to work on collaboration even after the end of EDIRE Concretely, 5 new projects, in line with project KPIs, have been elaborated and submitted. 1. Youth EU: Guidance to Emancipation and Autonomy of Youth at Risk of Social Exclusion in Dialogue with Third Countries Programme: HORIZON-MSCA-2022-SE-01 (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Staff Exchanges) This project addresses the social exclusion of vulnerable youth in Europe and beyond, fostering their autonomy through collaborative research and knowledge exchange with institutions from third countries. It promotes inclusive and emancipatory practices, with a focus on transnational and interdisciplinary cooperation. The project brings together key academic partners, including SSST University and the Complutense University of Madrid, whose participation strengthens the consortium’s capacity in the fields of education, social sciences, and youth policy. Project partners: • Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (Coordinator) • SSST University (Sarajevo School of Science and Technology) • Complutense University of Madrid 2. GendEX – Gender Dynamics and Masculinities in the Far Right: Innovation EvidenceBased Solutions for Policy and Practice Programme: HORIZON-CL2-2024-DEMOCRACY-01 GendEX explores the role of masculinities in the normalization and dissemination of far-right ideologies across Europe, focusing on political parties, grassroots movements, and digital mobilization strategies. The project adopts a multidisciplinary and innovation-driven approach, including the development of an AI-based platform to counter online radicalization. The participation of SSST University provides insights from the Western Balkans region, while Technical University Dublin contributes expertise in data analysis and digital communication. Together, the partners aim to produce actionable knowledge and tools for both policy and practice. 21 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. Project partners: • VILABS OE (Coordinator) • Technical University Dublin • Kadir Has University • Peace Action, Training & Research Institute of Romania • Fundació EURECAT • AITEC Asesores Internacionales SRL • SSST University (Sarajevo School of Science and Technology) • University of Warwick • RUSI Europe • Political Capital Ltd. • Leiden University • International Centre for Counter-Terrorism • SYNYO GmbH • European Forum for Urban Security 3. REACHr – Responsible Ethics in AI and Cutting-edge Horizon Research Programme: HORIZON-WIDERA-2024-ERA-01 REACHr responds to the ethical and regulatory challenges posed by the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence. The project aligns with the principles of the EU AI Act, supporting responsible innovation through a focus on ethical design, regulation, and social impact. It brings together a diverse set of institutions committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), including SSST University, the Complutense University of Madrid, and the Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne. Their participation ensures a solid foundation in both technological and philosophical approaches to responsible AI. Project partners: • SSST University (Sarajevo School of Science and Technology) • BIT Alliance for Information Technologies • Brown University • Complutense University of Madrid • Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia • Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche • Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne • Kadir Has University • Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane • Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology • Momo-o, Matsuo & Namba (Legal consultancy, Japan) • RIKEN Institute (Japan) • Instituto Politécnico de Bragança 22 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. 4. Who Runs the Digital World? Programme: DIGITAL-2024-ADVANCED-SKILLS-06 This project addresses the significant gender gap in the ICT sector, which remains one of the EU’s fastest-growing yet least inclusive fields. Inspired by the ancient Greek concept of the agora, it envisions a digital space to celebrate and empower women in STEM, foster dialogue, and connect with policymakers and educators. SSST University plays a central role in the consortium, bringing regional experience in digital education and gender inclusion to a European platform committed to societal transformation. Project partners: • EProjectConsult – Istituto Europeo Formazione e Ricerca (Coordinator) • Sdruzhenie Eksperten PUL (Bulgaria) • Fundación CEEIM (Spain) • Universidad de Alicante • AJ Ty v IT (Slovakia) • Nefinia B.V. (Netherlands) • Fundacja inCREA (Poland) • Global Wo.Men Hub (Belgium) • Kadir Has University (Turkey) • Vizyoner Kadinlar Dernegi (Turkey) • SSST University (Sarajevo School of Science and Technology) 5. AI4EDI – AI-Powered Foresight for Gender Equality and Inclusive Societies: Designing Ethical Future-Ready Education and Systems Programme: HORIZON-MSCA-2022-DN (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks) AI4EDI is a Doctoral Network that trains early-stage researchers to address the ethical, social, and technological challenges at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. The project adopts foresight methodologies and interdisciplinary training to shape future-ready education systems. With the involvement of SSST University, the Complutense University of Madrid, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, and the University of Genoa, the project ensures a rich multicultural and interdisciplinary environment for academic excellence and societal impact. Project partners: • Università Telematica Pegaso (Coordinator) • Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia • Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia • Complutense University of Madrid 23 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. • Institute of Philosophy and Sociology (Poland) • SSST University (Sarajevo School of Science and Technology) • Instituto Politécnico de Bragança • Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan State University • North Kazakhstan State University • Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne • Ion Creangă State Pedagogical University (Moldova) • University of Genoa An additional three projects are submitted and are currently under review (so we will note share additional details about them here). It is needed to note that those three projects are all RIA (Research Innovation Actions) with SSST designated as a coordinator for one of them. These are among the first RIAs that SSST has applied for and RIA application in general started with the EDIRE project. So far, institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina have been awarded to coordinate only one RIA project within the Horizon Europe programme, so the skills that EDIRE introduced enabled greater SSST integration in Horizon Europe and European Research Areas just as was originally intended. 24 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. 7. Recommendation to improve research management and administration in WB Enhancing Capacity for European Project Participation in the Framework of the EDIRE Project – WP5 Building on the lessons learned and insights gathered through the EDIRE project, and specifically under the activities carried out within Work Package 5 (WP5), this section outlines a set of tailored recommendations for universities and research institutions in the WB. These recommendations are grounded in the findings of the internal consultation and capacitybuilding processes at SSST and reflect the overarching objective of WP5: to improve internationalisation, research management, administrative performance, and fundraising capacity. • Improve Access to Information on Funding Opportunities OBSTACLE: fragmented and insufficient dissemination of funding-related information • Strengthen Institutional Administrative Capacity OBSTACLE: lack of sustainability and institutional investment on qualified personnel/office in Research Management • Enhance Financial Planning and Budgeting Skills OBSTACLE: difficulties in accurate and compliant budgeting across institutions. Recommended actions: • Establish and institutionalise a central office (e.g. the new Research Management Unit ORPA) tasked with continuously gathering and distributing funding information. • Develop a periodic newsletter with updates on European and international calls, deadlines, and practical guidance for proposal writing. • Organise thematic info-sessions and funding briefings for staff. • Provide targeted training on Horizon Europe structure and call-specific guidance. Recommended actions: • Ensure the Research Management Unit is fully formalised within the university/research structure, with a defined mandate and adequate staffing. • Develop internal policies for project lifecycle management and institutional support to researchers. • Allocate permanent resources, and include project development training in staff development programmes, especially for early-career researchers. Recommended actions: • Employ or train finance staff within the Research Management Unit with expertise in EU project budgeting, cost eligibility, and reporting. • Offer hands-on workshops and simulated budget development exercises. • Develop and share internal templates and practical tools (such as EDIRE MS7). 25 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program for widening participation and spreading excellence under Grant Agreement number 101060145. • Align Research Priorities with Funding Programmes OBSTACLE: low success rates and poor alignment of projects proposal with EU priorities and lack of EDI dimension. • Foster International Collaboration and Networking OBSTACLE: underutilisation of international networks for consortium-building. • Address Co-Financing Barriers OBSTACLE: challenges covering co-financing requirements. • Adopt Essential Policy and Regulatory Frameworks OBSTACLE: Lack of institutional alignment with EU standards hampers eligibility and project success. Recommended actions: • Engage SSST researchers in Horizon Europe policy consultations and agenda-shaping forums. • Map institutional strengths to Horizon Europe clusters and partnerships. • Establish internal thematic groups to strategize responses to calls and stimulate joint proposal development. • Use the Action Plan (D5.1) to guide this alignment. Recommended actions: • Strengthen presence on platforms such as CORDIS, EURAXESS, and ResearchGate. • Design institutional factsheets and project profiles to facilitate partnerships. • Provide networking training for both academic and administrative staff. • Support participation in international brokerage events and thematic workshops. Recommended actions: • Explore national or regional bridge funding mechanisms and pre-financing tools. • Advocate for government-level programmes supporting co-funding in EU research participation. • Establish internal funds or contingency budgets to cover institutional contributions to projects. Recommended actions: • Update or introduce policies on project implementation, financial management, and ethics compliance. • Ensure that the institution complies with Horizon Europe requirements, including the Gender Equality Plan (GEP) and the European Charter for Researchers. • Develop internal guidelines for IPR, data protection, and Open Science in alignment with EU standards.