The Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with the University of Mostar, organized the EU Programmes Day on 1 July 2026 in Mostar.

The event showcased funding and cooperation opportunities under key EU programmes, including Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Creative Europe, EU4Health, EaSI, COST, and EUREKA. It also provided a platform for participants to exchange experiences and strengthen capacities for successful participation in EU-funded projects.

The event gathered representatives of higher education institutions, public authorities, civil society, the health and cultural sectors, the business community, National Erasmus+ Office representative and other stakeholders interested in European programmes.

Discussions highlighted the need to increase Bosnia and Herzegovina's participation in EU programmes by strengthening institutional capacities, developing project management expertise, and fostering international partnerships. Participants also received practical guidance on preparing competitive project proposals and using the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to supporting potential applicants through national contact points, information activities, and capacity-building events across the country.

More information about the event is available at: https://www.mcp.gov.ba/bs/portal/objava/odrzan-dan-programa-eu-u-mostaru-bosna-i-hercegovina-mora-snaznije-koristiti-mogucnosti-evropskih-fondova-1782986309158

A training workshop entitled “Training of Experts – Strengthening Capacities of the Quality Assurance in Higher Education System” was successfully held on 12 May 2026 at the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Banja Luka.

The workshop was organized by the Agency for the Development of Higher Education and Quality Assurance of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HEA) in cooperation with the Higher Education Reform Experts (HERE) team as part of the SMEQA project and the 2026 HERE Work Plan. The event brought together representatives of higher education institutions, ministries of education, businesses, international quality assurance experts, and project partners.

The programme combined theoretical and practical training aimed at strengthening the competencies of newly appointed accreditation experts. Participants explored the legal and procedural framework for accreditation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and engaged in hands-on activities simulating expert preparation and site visits. Through group work, analysis of self-evaluation reports, and simulated interviews, participants gained practical experience in evidence assessment, reporting, and quality assurance procedures.

A representative of NAKVIS shared Slovenian experiences and best practices in expert training, while discussions throughout the workshop highlighted the importance of continuous capacity building for ensuring high-quality and objective accreditation processes.

The workshop concluded with a reflection on lessons learned and reaffirmed the importance of ongoing expert training for further strengthening the quality assurance system in higher education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

More about this event at this link: https://www.hea.gov.ba/Post/Read/obukehea2026

The new Bologna Hub Peer Support Plus (BHPS+) project, led by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) together with a European consortium, has launched a call for higher education institutions across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) to apply for free expert counselling and peer support.

The initiative aims to strengthen institutional quality, international cooperation, and strategic development through tailored guidance provided by a network of 25 experienced higher education reform experts from across Europe. Participating institutions will receive customised support over a 12–18 month period, including on-site visits and follow-up consultations.

The project focuses on key Bologna Process priorities such as quality assurance, qualification recognition, ECTS implementation, curriculum development, digitalisation, mobility, and internationalisation strategies.

All counselling activities are fully funded through the Erasmus+ Programme and co-financed by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space. Applications are open to higher education institutions across the EHEA until 15 May 2026.

More information and application details are available via the official DAAD website

Applications can be submitted under following link: BHPS+: Expression of Interest for Higher Education Institutions

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the project team at: Ova e-maila adresa je zaštićena od spambotova. Omogućite JavaScript da biste je vidjeli.

The HERE Virtual Networking Meeting 2026 was held online on 1 April 2026, bringing together 40 participants from the HERE community, including HEREs, NEOs, and SPHERE representatives. The event provided a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences, strengthen cooperation, and discuss ongoing priorities and challenges.

The interactive meeting included short presentations, discussions, and polls. A key highlight was the presentation of feedback from the SPHERE Study Visit on Artificial Intelligence (AI), conducted in March 2026, offering insights into emerging trends in higher education.

Participants also reviewed current HERE activities, as well as upcoming SPHERE publications and events for 2026. Discussions focused on how HERE work contributes to systemic change and how communication of results and impact can be improved.

Upcoming activities include seminars and study visits throughout 2026, as well as a call for TAM and annual work plan updates to be launched in July 2026, with a deadline of 31 October 2026.

You can find more in the REPORT from the HERE Virtual Networking Meeting 2026