On 29 October 2025, SHER supported the National Science Council (NSC) in organizing a Stakeholder Consultation Event dedicated to discussing two draft instruments designed to facilitate the implementation of the National Science Program (NSP) 2023–2028.

The event gathered members of the NSC, representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), public and private universities, and experts from academia and industry. Opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Myzafere Krasniqi-Limani, President of the NSC; Mr. Burim Gashi, Acting Director of the Department of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation at MESTI; and Mr. Aqim Emurli, Team Leader of SHER Programme.

During the event, Mr. Fetah Podvorica, NSC member, presented the key research areas of the National Science Program, followed by Ms. Elke Dall, SHER International Expert from the Center for Social Innovation (ZSI), who shared insights from Austria’s experience with university spin-offs. Mr. Besnik Krasniqi, SHER Local Expert, presented the two draft concepts, namely, “Diaspora4Science”, a research funding instrument to engage Kosovo’s global scientific diaspora, and “Start-Up and Spin-Off Fund”, an innovation instrument to support commercialization of research and university-industry collaboration.

The consultation provided valuable feedback from the scientific community, public institutions, and private sector representatives, contributing to refining the proposed instruments before their finalization.

The SHER Programme will continue to provide technical expertise and coordination support to the NSC and MESTI in developing feasible mechanisms to advance research excellence and innovation in Kosovo.