Speaker
Description
This paper analyzes how EU member states in the Balkans integrate research and development (R&D) priorities into their National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs), focusing on Romania and Greece, with an extended framework that includes Bulgaria and Croatia. The research investigates the extent to which R&D strategies contribute to long-term innovation capacity, structural modernization, and alignment with broader EU goals.
The methodology combines qualitative content analysis with a comparative matrix of key indicators. Each NRRP is assessed based on the share of total funding allocated to R&D, the balance between investment and reform, the quality of governance mechanisms, and the integration with EU-level programs such as Horizon Europe. Official documents, progress reports, and national statistical data inform the analysis, enabling cross-country comparison and the classification of strategic approaches to R&D.
Preliminary findings show significant divergence between Romania and Greece. Romania allocates around 1% of its NRRP, focusing on structural reforms to improve research governance, infrastructure, and researcher status. Despite its reform orientation, the implementation is slowed by bureaucratic bottlenecks and fragmented coordination. Greece allocates approximately 3% of its NRRP, prioritizing direct investments in high-tech sectors such as AI and biotech, and fostering public-private partnerships. Its approach reflects stronger institutional support and faster fund absorption but lacks depth in reform initiatives.
The analysis of Bulgaria and Croatia is currently in progress, following the same framework. Initial observations suggest lower R&D prioritization and a tendency to equate innovation with digitalization measures. The extended comparison aims to identify regional patterns, strategic gaps, and best practices in leveraging the Recovery and Resilience Facility for innovation-driven growth.
This paper contributes to the growing body of literature on EU recovery policy and innovation systems, offering empirical insights into how peripheral EU economies use post-pandemic funding to address long-standing weaknesses in R&D. The findings are relevant for both academics and policymakers seeking to optimize the design and implementation of future EU-funded research strategies.
