Addressing the Western Balkan regional priority 'knowledge-triangle education-research-innovation' this EU Tempus funded project aims to establish a regional science (involving higher education and research)-society (involving practice) network for sustainability innovations in Albania and Kosovo.

The wider objectives are to strengthen the connection and collaboration of higher education institutions, research and practice as well as to promote mutual learning and innovative sustainability issues and methods through structured workshops to support capacity building as well as systemic and holistic thinking. Therefore, the specific objectives are

1) to identify regional stakeholders in the field of higher education, research and practice for sustainable development;

2) to establish a science-society network for sustainability innovations;

3) to develop innovative teaching materials and methodologies for higher education institutions;

4) to develop and run structured workshops and trainings for science-society collaborations.

The direct target groups will be higher education institutions (esp. lecturers, researchers and students), research institutions and regional stakeholders like enterprises, NGOs and regional development agencies. Furthermore policy makers will benefit indirectly.

Specific challenges in Albania and Kosovo:

1. Lack of efficient linkages between higher education, research and practice to tackle social and environmental problems and foster sustainability innovations in both countries

2. Lacking support on knowledge and competencies to foster sustainability collaborations and innovations

3. Need for innovative teaching resources (materials and methodologies) to raise awareness relating sustainability challenges and empower students to take action

4. Implementation/dissemination of sustainability in higher education institutions