The 3rd Conference of the Balkan Association of Applied Economists (BAAE), Belgrade, 19-20 June 2026
The 3rd Conference of the Balkan Association of Applied Economists (BAAE) brought together researchers, policymakers, and representatives of academic institutions from across the Western Balkans to discuss current challenges and opportunities for inclusive economic growth, regional cooperation, and evidence-based policymaking.
Organized by professors Vladan Ivanovic (Faculty of Economics, University of Kragujevac) and Ivana Prica (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade), in partnership with leading regional and international institutions, the conference featured presentations of the latest research and policy discussions on economic development, competitiveness, labour markets, education and skills, regional integration, and the green transition within the framework of European integration and the New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
The conference also reaffirmed BAAE’s mission of strengthening regional cooperation by building a sustainable network of researchers, academic institutions, early-career scholars, and policymakers committed to advancing applied economic research in the Western Balkans.
During the conference, professors Vladan Ivanovic and Zoran Kalinic presented the ENTEEF project and discussed it with participants. The project team introduced its objectives, ongoing activities, and preliminary findings, while also presenting available data and analytical opportunities relevant to the project’s research agenda. The event provided an opportunity to explore potential areas of cooperation with researchers and institutions from the region, particularly in relation to joint research activities, data exchange, capacity building, and future international project development.
The conference was organized with the financial support of the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans.
Partners of the conference:
- Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade
- Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans
- Re: People Centre for Society and Technology
- Faculty of Economics, University of Kragujevac
- Economic Annals Journal
- European Association for Comparative Economic Studies (EACES)
- Research on Southeastern Europe (LSEE)
- Scientific Society of Economists in Serbia (NDES)
- CERGE-EI Foundation
