Bridging Futures: Internationalisation of Higher Education in the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe is a regional conference co-organized by the Regional Cooperation Council and the World Bank under the patronage of the Ministry of Education and Science of North Macedonia. Taking place in Skopje, North Macedonia on 26–27 March 2026, the event will bring together policymakers, academic leaders, and international partners to discuss strategic priorities for higher education in the Western Balkans Six, focusing on stronger regional cooperation and alignment with EU higher education and research frameworks. The conference is organized within the broader Human Capital development framework of the Common Regional Market 2 (CRM2), recognizing higher education internationalisation as a key driver for skills development, talent circulation, and regional competitiveness.

The conference is to explore internationalisation and mobility, quality culture and governance, and ways to advance academic excellence, research, and innovation in partnership with industry. Participants will also exchange experiences on emerging approaches to performance-based financing and their relevance for the Western Balkans Six, while engaging members of the South-East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP) as peer-learning partners to share best practices, strengthen cooperation, and enhance regional competitiveness.