A kick-off meeting for the project *Empowering Education: Re-Building the Bridges in the Western Balkan Region (RBWB)* was held on 27 November 2025 at the Faculty for Montenegrin Language and Literature. The project is implemented within the framework of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) programme – Strand 1. The meeting was organized by the Faculty for Montenegrin Language and Literature (FCJK), the coordinating institution of the project, and was attended by representatives of partner institutions from the University of Sarajevo, the University of Zadar, and the University of Novi Pazar, while partners from the University of Tuzla joined the meeting via the Zoom platform. Representatives of the National Erasmus+ Office were also in attendance.

The event was opened by the Dean of FCJK, who delivered welcome remarks and emphasized the strategic importance of the project for the international positioning of the partner institutions. Following the introduction of participants, an overview of the main objectives and expected results of the project was presented to all partners, along with its key links to the priorities of the Erasmus+ CBHE action. The importance of modernizing institutional capacities, enhancing international cooperation, and strengthening regional academic bridges among partner institutions was highlighted.

The central part of the meeting was dedicated to the structure of the consortium and the distribution of roles and responsibilities. The project’s governance bodies were reviewed, including the Steering Committee, advisory bodies, and local coordinators, and responsibilities related to communication, work organization, and timely reporting were defined in detail. Particular focus was placed on initial operational tasks, the formation of working groups, and the planning of subsequent activities.

Representatives of the National Erasmus+ Office provided constructive recommendations for the effective implementation of the project, particularly with regard to administrative procedures and the planning of activities in line with the prescribed Erasmus+ frameworks.

The meeting concluded with the alignment of next steps and the definition of obligations for the first quarter of project implementation.

The final session of questions and comments confirmed the commitment of all partners to the successful implementation of the project.

The held kick-off meeting represents a solid foundation for the further development of cooperation among partner institutions and opens space for the advancement of modern, sustainable, and inclusive models of education in the Western Balkan region.