The conference constitutes one of the core elements of the AREA project dissemination activities. Its aim is to promote the importance of research in the fields of agriculture and food science, as well as enhance collaboration with international research community. The conference is designed as a stimulating forum for exchange of ideas, information, knowledge and experiences with the goal of helping scientists from Serbia and other West Balkans countries to improve their opportunities for international collaborative research and become more familiar with activities of EU projects. The aim is also to propose specific suggestions towards adjusting EU projects into formats more accessible and attractive for SMEs from the Western Balkans.