Workshop "Establishment of a joint Balkan 3R center" in Split, Croatia

May 14. and 15., 2026, Dasa Seveljevic-Jaran from the University of Split School of Medicine hosted “Establishment of regional joint 3R center in Split”  Workshop under the framework of the IMPROVE - 3Rs concepts to improve the quality of biomedical science (CA21139). The meeting was co-organized by colleagues from the region, namely Alisa Elezović (University of Sarajevo) and Fatgzim Latifi (University of Prishtina), bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders from South East European region, Ireland and Baltic countries, committed to strengthening the 3Rs in the region.

A key focus of the workshop was the establishment and structuring of an emerging Balkan 3R Center, with discussions centered on:
🔹 Refinement of the MoA and Statute proposals
🔹 Definition of governance and organizational structures
🔹 Engagement of stakeholders from academia, industry, and associations
🔹 Strategic planning for a sustainable international framework and funding pathway.

The workshop also featured valuable case study presentations from established European 3R centers, offering practical insights into different governance and operational models:
🔸 Arti Ahluwalia: “Establishment of Italian 3R center”
🔸 Anna Olsson: “Establishment of Portuguese / University 3R center”
🔸 Jeffrey Bajramovic: “Establishment and operation of Dutch 3R center”

These presentations provided valuable comparative perspectives and helped inform discussions on the optimal structure for the emerging regional initiative held on Day 2 of the workshop. Participants of the workshop were given a short tour of the U. of Split centralized animal facility.

Discussion on May 14., day 2 of the workshop listed the priorities of the joint 3R center to be:

- provision of Education & Training (E&T) aligned with FELASA functions and specific tasks modules, covering training for refinement and reduction

- theoretical training to be held on-line for ease of attendance and accessibility & practical, hands-on training like animal handling, in-life tissue sampling and different routes of in-vivo administrations to be conducted at School of Medicine facility or, on attendees’ request, in their work-place facility

-training for replacement will include animal and non-animal NAMs and other available complex in vitro methods currently used as supplementary tools to traditional in vivo research and educational methods

-training on implementation of risk-based research quality system (research quality management), dissemination of best practices/research quality standards information, thus promoting the Quality Culture concept

-training on implementation of ethics into routine in-vivo research practices and teaching and training of ethical committee members on legislative requirements and in vivo research requirements that ensure protection of animal welfare and quality of science

- promote the Culture of Care concept for national establishments and wider community

- reserve part of the School of Medicine website for showcaseing  joint 3R  center activities and link it to the overarching EU3Rnet website

- come up with a name/logo for it joint 3R center and report its progress on Linked-in aso as to get more exposure and visibility

 In conclusion, proposed long term goals of the joint 3R center are to:

• become member of the European network of 3R centers (EU3Rnet)
• establish a common framework for assessing Continual Professional Development (CPD) activities across institutions
• establish a system of Personal Authorisation renewal (re-licensing), every 5 years for all of its members
• establish a network of local/regional institutional ethical committees, fostering cross-fertilisation of ideas and approaches to running an animal welfare body (AWB) or implementing 3Rs into routine research practices
• become a member of European Network of National Networks of Animal Welfare Bodies (ENAWB)

Across two intensive days, participants worked collaboratively toward a shared goal: building a sustainable, inclusive, and internationally connected 3R Center in the region.
A sincere thank you to all participants for their engagement, expertise, and commitment to advancing the 3Rs and strengthening regional collaboration in biomedical research !