Project meetings

: 20 March 2026

5th Project Meeting

From 11 to 13 March 2026, the 5th project meeting within the Erasmus+ CBHE project INTECO, funded by the European Union, was successfully held in Belgrade at Academy of Technical and Art Applied Studies.

The meeting brought together representatives of partner institutions from the Western Balkans region and the European Union, led by the coordinating institution European University Brčko District (EUBD). During the three-day meeting, workshops and working sessions were organized, focusing on improving international cooperation and strengthening the capacities of higher education institutions in the Western Balkans.

On the first day, opening remarks were delivered by the host institution, after which participants had the opportunity to learn more about the host institution through a presentation of the Academy of Technical and Art Applied Studies Belgrade. Special attention was given to topics such as scholarships and the European Student Card initiative, as well as the Solidarity Corps platform, which contribute to greater mobility and cooperation among students and institutions.

On the second day, the workshops focused on the development and implementation of projects within the Erasmus+ programme, including mobility projects KA131 and KA171, as well as the implementation of the Erasmus Without Paper (EWP) system. Discussions also covered the preparation of new projects within the Erasmus+ CBHE programme and the quality control of project results.

The third day was dedicated to meetings of the project bodies; the Project Management Committee and the Steering Board during which progress reports of partner institutions were presented, along with plans for the next phase of project implementation.

Participants emphasized that the INTECO project significantly contributes to strengthening international cooperation, developing institutional capacities, and connecting higher education institutions of the Western Balkans with the European academic area. The meeting concluded with the planning of upcoming activities and further steps in the implementation of the project.

Participants included representatives of the coordinating institution, the European University Brčko District, as well as partner institutions: University „Vitez”, Herzegovina University, Adriatik University Bar, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, University of Applied Sciences Baltazar Zaprešić, RTV Hit Brčko District, and the host institution Academy of Technical and Art Applied Studies Belgrade.

: 03 February 2026

4th Project Meeting

From 28 to 30 January 2026, the 4th project meeting within the Erasmus+ CBHE project INTECO, funded by the European Union, was successfully held in Zagreb at Baltazar Zaprešić University of Applied Sciences.

The meeting brought together representatives of partner institutions from the Western Balkans region and the European Union, led by the coordinating institution European University Brčko District (EUBD). Participants included representatives of the coordinating institution, the European University Brčko District, as well as partner institutions: University „Vitez”, Herzegovina University, Adriatik University Bar, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Academy of Technical and Art Applied Studies Belgrade, RTV Hit Brčko District, and the host institution University of Applied Sciences Baltazar Zaprešić.

During the three-day programme, workshops were conducted, along with meetings of the project’s management and supervisory bodies, as well as discussions focused on strengthening the capacities of International Cooperation Centers (ICCs) and Career Development Centres (CDCs) at higher education institutions.

The first day focused on the exchange of good practices in the fields of career development, employability, internships, and student mobility, including a presentation of the host institution’s work Baltazar Zaprešić University of Applied Sciences.

On the second day, topics included the development of Erasmus+ KA131 and KA171 projects, improving employability through scholarships and internships, and the concept of training materials, followed by the 3rd meeting of the Project Quality Monitoring Committee.

The final day was dedicated to the 3rd meeting of the Project Management Committee and the Steering Committee, where reports on the progress of work packages, partner institution activities, and plans for the upcoming period were presented.

The meeting concluded with a final discussion and closing speeches, reaffirming the joint commitment to further strengthening international and economic cooperation among higher education institutions in the Western Balkans in line with the objectives of the INTECO project.

: 29 December 2025

3rd Project Meeting

Within the framework of the Erasmus+ project INTECO – Improving the Capacity of International Cooperation and Economic Cooperation of Western Balkan HEIs (101177758 — INTECO — ERASMUS-EDU-2024-CBHE), the third project partner meeting was held at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) from 23 to 25 September 2025.

The meeting was hosted by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and brought together representatives of eight partner institutions from the Western Balkans and the European Union. Participants included representatives of the coordinating institution, the European University Brčko District, as well as partner institutions: University Vitez, Herzegovina University, Adriatik University Bar, Veleučilište Baltazar Zaprešić, Academy of Technical and Art Applied Studies Belgrade, RTV Hit Brčko District, and the host institution UPM.

Workshops and Thematic Discussions

The first two days of the meeting were dedicated to workshops for staff of International Cooperation and Career Development Centres (ICC and CDC) of Western Balkan higher education institutions. Participants discussed key aspects of international cooperation in higher education, including the role and activities of international offices, the development and harmonisation of institutional internationalisation strategies, the preparation of action plans for improving international cooperation, opportunities and challenges of international cooperation for Western Balkan HEIs, and the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE).

Special emphasis was placed on the exchange of experiences among partner institutions and on examples of good practice presented by the host institution, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

Meetings of Project Governance and Working Bodies

In addition to the workshops, several meetings of the project’s governance and working bodies were held. These included the Project Quality Monitoring and Control Committee (PQMCC) meeting, which focused on the quality of project deliverables and achieved results; the Project Management Committee (PMC) meeting, featuring progress reports from partner institutions and work packages; and the Steering Committee meeting, during which completed activities were reviewed, the activity plan for the upcoming period was discussed, and administrative, financial, and risk management issues were addressed.

Significance of the Meeting

The third partner meeting in Madrid represents an important milestone in strengthening the capacities of partner higher education institutions in the field of international and economic cooperation. Through joint work, knowledge exchange, and coordinated planning of future activities, the INTECO project continues to contribute to the modernisation and internationalisation of higher education in the Western Balkans, in line with the objectives of the Erasmus+ programme.

: 15 July 2025

2nd Project Meeting

In Montenegro, the second partner meeting of the INTECO project was held at the premises of the Faculty of Maritime Studies and Tourism, Adriatic University in Bar. The INTECO project is part of the Erasmus+ CBHE program titled “Internationalization and Economic Cooperation of Higher Education Institutions in the Western Balkans.”

Partner institutions from Western Balkan countries and the European Union concluded at the meeting that approximately 30% of the project has already been implemented through work packages WP1, WP2, and WP5. Project partners from Belgrade and Vitez presented reports on work packages WP2 and WP5. The University of Hercegovina presented the results of its activities, which were successfully carried out within the set deadlines.

In addition to promoting mobility and international cooperation, the project aims to strengthen ties with the labor market and employers—not only at the local level but also internationally. It was agreed that the development of the Career Center work plan will continue, along with the adaptation of the work of the International Cooperation Offices to meet the project’s requirements.

The exceptionally hospitable hosts organized a tour of their faculty, where participants became acquainted with the institution’s work and the latest technologies they use in working with students.

1st Project Meeting - Kick-off Meeting

Kick-off meeting of the CBHE project Improving the capacity of international cooperation and economic cooperation of WB HEls was held at the European University of Brcko District on 5th and 6th of December 2024.

All the project partners were present at the meetings where planned activities were discussed thoroughly in order to ensure the consolidation of all the project partners.