Task 2.3 provides an assessment and analysis of the status quo of the Western Balkans R&I systems and monitors their progress towards ERA integration. This will be done based on the structure of the ERA Progress Reports 2018 including the six ERA Priorities defined by the European Commission (EC):

1. More effective national research systems;
2. Optimal transnational cooperation and competition, including ‘jointly addressing grand challenges’ and ‘research infrastructures’;
3. An open labour market for researchers;
4. Gender equality and gender mainstreaming in research;
5. Optimal circulation, access to and transfer of scientific knowledge, including ‘knowledge circulation’ and ‘open access’;
6. International cooperation.

The methodological framework to be used for drafting the ERA Reports is aligned to a set of indicators covering the above-mentioned priorities and additional information regarding Horizon Europe participation. The project consortium aims to collaborate with external experts on the analysis of the situation. The results of the analysis will be summarised in respective ERA Reports for each of the Western Balkans economies (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia). These reports will be shared with European Commission services, further publication will be decided together with the EC.