On 7 September 2026, students, alumni, educators, EU institutions, European programmes and regional organisations came together in Pančevo, Serbia, for the European Programmes, Policy and Cooperation Forum 2026. Organised by WBAA, the Forum provided a space to exchange knowledge, explore European opportunities and strengthen connections between European initiatives and local communities.
Bringing European opportunities closer to local communities
Organised by the Western Balkans Alumni Association (WBAA), the European Programmes, Policy and Cooperation Forum 2026 in Pančevo, Serbia brought together a diverse audience of students, alumni, teachers, university professors, representatives of public institutions, European programmes, civil society organisations and the wider local community.
The event was coordinated by Milan Stojanović, with the support of other WBAA volunteers. Promoted as an event open to the public, the Forum also brought together invited speakers, partners and participants who had registered in advance. This combination helped create an open space for exchange between people already engaged in European programmes and those looking for their first opportunity to get involved.
Connecting people with European programmes
The Forum featured a wide range of speakers representing European institutions, programmes and organisations working in the fields of education, youth, mobility, regional cooperation, research, innovation and European integration.
Among the contributors were Savino Rua from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC), representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, the EU-funded project “Support to Participation in Union Programmes” implemented for the Ministry of European Integration, the National Erasmus+ Office – Tempus Foundation, Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), National Youth Council of Serbia (KOMS), WeBalkans, Western Balkans Fund (WBF), Science Technology Park Belgrade, Belgrade Open School (BOŠ), French Institute of Serbia, Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, Erasmus Student Network Serbia (ESN Serbia) and other organisations and initiatives.
The programme covered a broad range of topics, including opportunities for participation in European programmes, youth engagement, regional cooperation, mobility, funding opportunities and ways for organisations and individuals to become more actively involved in European initiatives.
From mobility to local impact
A key message throughout the Forum was that European programmes should not be understood only as opportunities to study, travel or secure funding. They also create opportunities to build lasting professional and personal connections, gain knowledge and experience, and bring those experiences back to local communities. The Forum therefore placed particular emphasis on the role of students, alumni and young people as active contributors to their communities. European experience can become a starting point for new initiatives, partnerships and knowledge-sharing at the local level. This approach is closely aligned with WBAA’s role as a regional alumni network connecting people across the Western Balkans and supporting mobility, cooperation, skills development, knowledge exchange and grassroots initiatives that respond to local needs.
From one event to future cooperation
The Forum also created opportunities for new connections between WBAA and participating institutions and organisations. Several potential areas for future cooperation were discussed, including collaboration on future WBAA activities, mutual support and participation in each other’s events and initiatives.
Presentations delivered during the Forum were subsequently made available to participants so that the information and knowledge shared during the event can continue to reach others interested in European opportunities.
One of the ideas emerging from the discussions was to work together on further promoting Pančevo as a European capital of knowledge, youth engagement and cooperation. The Forum demonstrated how a local event can bring together European-level opportunities, institutional expertise, alumni experience and local actors, creating connections that can continue beyond a single day.
Building connections that continue beyond the Forum
For WBAA, the European Programmes Forum was an opportunity to strengthen its engagement with students, alumni, institutions and civil society in Serbia, while creating a space where information about European opportunities and policies can be connected with local needs and ideas. The event reaffirmed a simple principle:
European opportunities become more meaningful when people can access them, share what they learn and turn that knowledge into action in their own communities.
Novi Sad, Serbia, 12 September 2026
Milan Stojanović
Edited by the Erasmus+ Support Service Team
