Location: Science and Technology Park Belgrade
Date: February 3, 2026
Although the UR-DATA project has formally concluded, its impact continues to resonate across the European research community. This was clearly demonstrated through the participation of the UR-DATA team at the SAIGE Forum on Horizon Europe: Twinning for 2026, organized by the European Training Academy in cooperation with the SAIGE project.
Bringing together more than 70 researchers and project managers from 17 institutions, the forum provided a dynamic platform for discussing the future of Horizon Europe Twinning, from proposal development and evaluation criteria to implementation challenges and long-term impact.
From Project to Practice: UR-DATA as a Twinning Success Story
Representing UR-DATA, prof. Jelena J. Stanković shared reflections on the project’s journey from its initial concept to its implementation and results. The presentation highlighted how collaboration with leading partners, including Poliedra – Politecnico di Milano and Oslo Metropolitan University, contributed to strengthening research capacities, advancing data-driven urban development, and establishing long-term institutional partnerships.
The discussion emphasized that Twinning is not only a funding instrument, but a transformative process, one that enables knowledge transfer, institutional learning, and the co-creation of new research pathways.
Learning from Experience: Insights from Evaluators and EU-Oriented Perspectives
The forum featured valuable contributions from experts closely engaged with European research frameworks. Elke Dall opened the discussion with forward-looking reflections on FP10 and the evolving role of Widening as a structural pillar of the European Research Area.
Gordana Vlahović presented key elements of the current Twinning call, while Jasna Mastilović and Goran Stojanović provided practical guidance on improving proposals in line with evaluation criteria.
Further perspectives were offered by Steve Quarrie and Milena Čavić, who jointly reflected on the balance between scientific excellence and coordination activities—combining insights from both evaluator and practitioner viewpoints.
Voices from the Twinning Community
The forum also highlighted experiences from successful Twinning projects across Europe. Alongside UR-DATA, contributions were shared by Jasmina Nikodinović-Runić, Vladan Čosović, and Tanja Božić, who presented their institutional journeys and lessons learned.
International partners, including Robert Leonard Wilby, Claudia van der Laag, and Remond Fijneman, offered valuable insights into the mutual benefits of Twinning collaboration, emphasizing shared learning, co-creation, and long-term partnerships.
Beyond the formal agenda, what stood out was the energy in the room – a mix of curiosity, openness, and genuine willingness to collaborate. The forum reaffirmed that Twinning is more than a project scheme; it is a bridge connecting institutions, people, and ideas across Europe.
For the UR-DATA team, participation in this event was both a moment of reflection and a step forward, an opportunity to transfer knowledge gained over the past three years and contribute to shaping future Twinning initiatives.
Continuing the UR-DATA Legacy
UR-DATA stands as a strong example of how Twinning projects can deliver lasting and sustainable impact. Through its publications, datasets, training materials, and institutional transformations, the project continues to support research excellence and evidence-based policymaking. Events such as the EUTA Twinning Forum demonstrate that UR-DATA’s journey does not end with the project timeline. It continues through new collaborations, new proposals, and a growing community of practice across Europe.