Regional Research Promotion Programme in the Western Balkans

Center for Social Research Analitika is local coordination unit for Bosnia and Herzegovina within the Regional Research Promotion Programme (RRPP) in the Western Balkans since April 1, 2014. The RRPP is coordinated and operated by the Interfaculty Institute for Central and Eastern Europe (IICEE) at the University of Fribourg. The programme is fully funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Short description: The Regional Research Promotion Programme is aimed at fostering and promoting social science research in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia). Social science research aids in the understanding of the specific needs for reform and in identifying the long-term implications of potential policy choices. Researchers receive support through research grants, methodological and thematic trainings, mentorships, as well as opportunities for regional and international exchange and networking.

The three main components of RRPP are (1) support of relevant social science researches, (2) capacity building and networking and (3) national policy dialogue in countries of the Western Balkans.

Capacity building is an enabling and empowering process as it provides social scientists with the necessary tools and networks resulting in better chances for producing substantial and excellent research results. In turn, this also increases professional status, legitimacy and visibility of social scientists in their respective countries.

National Policy Dialogue projects became an integral component of the RRPP in all countries of the region in 2011 and are primarily led by the RRPP LCUs. Policy Dialogue component of the programme is aimed at influencing necessary systemic changes in social science research of the Western Balkan countries, while involving a number of relevant stakeholders among which are responsible ministries, rectors, deans, professors and researchers from different disciplines.

The objectives of policy dialogue for the improvement of social sciences in Bosnia and Herzegovina are: (1) to identify the key problems in social sciences in BiH and assist in creating solutions to address these problems, and (2) to impact changes in the administration of social science research at BiH universities through open dialogue between relevant stakeholders.

Project aims and objectives:

·        To build a platform for argumentative advocating policy changes in the field of research in the social sciences through research, policy-making and dialogue with relevant stakeholders.

·        To strengthen and connect researchers to become proactive advocates and initiators of policy changes in the field of scientific research.

Project duration: 30 months (April 1, 2014 – September 30, 2016)

Project budget: 200.000,00 CHF

About the RRPP: Regional Research Promotion Programme (RRPP) is aimed at fostering and promoting social science research in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia). The RRPP is coordinated and operated by the Interfaculty Institute for Central and Eastern Europe (IICEE) at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland). The programme is fully funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. More information about the RRPP program is available at http://www.rrpp-westernbalkans.net/en/about.html.