IAMO and AAEM host Alumni Workshop in Skopje, North Macedonia; shape future EU enlargement policy for Southeast Europe

Call for Applications

IAMO Alumni Workshop | September 28 – October 2, 2026 | Skopje | North Macedonia

Lessons from EU Enlargement: Impulses for Rural Development and Agricultural Policy

Organizers: Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO) (Germany, Prof. Dr. Thomas Herzfeld) and Association of Agricultural Economists of the Republic of Macedonia (AAEM) (North Macedonia, Prof. Dr. Ana Simonovska)

As the EU prepares for its next round of enlargement, questions of agricultural policy and rural development are once again at the centre of the debate. This Alumni Workshop brings together international researchers and practitioners who have spent a minimum of three months at a German academic or research institution as former students, doctoral researchers, or guest scientists (so-called Germany-alumni) to share experiences from past EU accessions, examine their effects on agricultural structures, trade, rural livelihoods, and policy development, and develop lessons for future accession processes. The programme combines expert presentations, peer discussions, and field excursions to relevant projects and institutions in North Macedonia. Workshop Objectives

  1. Analyse effects of past EU accessions on agricultural trade, farm structures, and rural development in Central and Eastern Europe.
  2. Discuss implications of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and its reform for EU candidate countries in Southeast Europe as well as repercussions on future policy development.
  3. Exchange knowledge on policy instruments and governance tools for sustainable rural development under accession conditions.
  4. Build professional networks with peers, German research institutions, and organisations active in the region (e.g., GIZ, DAAD, SWG RD, German Embassy). Target Audience The workshop is open to Germany-alumni, and specifically targets such alumni from EU candidate countries in Southeast Europe and (Eastern) EU member states. Workshop language: English Number of participants: 25 Application Procedure To apply, please send the following documents to application.agpolicy[at]iamo.de: • Motivational letter (max. half a page – A4) stating your research topic, if applicable, current professional activities, and interest in the workshop theme • Short CV, in particular indicating the length of any academic stay in Germany

Applications must be submitted electronically by 11 August 2026. Travel and Accommodation Grants The number of participants is limited. IAMO offers travel and accommodation grants to accepted participants. The grant covers a mobility allowance plus accommodation for the workshop duration in accordance with the German Travel Expenses Law (BRKG) and DAAD per diem rates. Grant distribution is based on the quality of the application. Important Deadlines 11 August 2026 Deadline for applications 24 August 2026 Notification of acceptance 28 September – 2 October 2026 Workshop in Skopje, North Macedonia Contact For further information and important dates, please contact: Prof. Dr. Thomas Herzfeld, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO) Theodor-Lieser-Straße 2, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany E-Mail: herzfeld[at]iamo.de Website: alumni.iamo.de

Financial Support: This project is financially supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the German Foreign Office (AA) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Alumni Programme 2026/27.

Supported by the