As part of the strategic objective to foster systemic institutional reform and improve research capacity at the Faculty of Economics, University of Niš (FEUN), the UR-WISE project has taken a major step forward in establishing a Serbian section of the European Regional Science Association (ERSA) . This milestone is part of UR-WISE's specific objectives, aimed at implementing structural changes that will enhance FEUN's position within European research and innovation networks.
The initiative was agreed upon during the 30th International Scientific Conference "Regional Development and Demographic Flows of Southeast European Countries", held in Niš on 20 June 2025. At this important gathering, the project team announced that a joint application for the ERSA Section Serbia had been agreed upon and officially submitted.
In addition, a significant proposal was made during the keynote lecture by Valentina Ivanić, PhD titled "Institutional Paradox of Regional Development: Smart Specialization as a Leapfrogging Strategy Led by the Academic Community." This introduced the idea of publishing a monograph dedicated to the legacy of the Niš school of regional development. This volume, envisioned as a tribute to three decades of academic research since the foundation of the Regional Development conference at FEUN, will be directly aligned with the goals of UR-WISE and serve as added value to its outcomes.
The ERSA section in Serbia will serve as a hub for researchers, policymakers, and professionals from across disciplines including economics, geography, planning, and regional development. Its creation will also encourage participation from neighboring Western Balkan countries, which currently lack national ERSA sections. Simultaneously, UR-WISE is working toward elevating the Regional Development conference to the level of ERSA-recognized international events. Beginning in 2026, the conference aims to attract internationally renowned scholars and editors, and facilitate the publication of selected papers in high-impact outlets and dedicated journal special issues.
We look forward to announcing the formal approval of the ERSA Section Serbia and continuing our efforts to connect regional science communities across Europe.
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