Special Issue of ECONOMIA MARCHE – Journal of Applied Economics
Dedicated to REDETE 2026 - 13th Annual Conference on Researching Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Transition Economies. 9–10 September 2026, Ancona, Italy.
Economic Integration in the Balkans
We are pleased to announce a Special Issue of ECONOMIA MARCHE – Journal of Applied Economics dedicated to papers (from 3,000 to 15,000 words, i.e. from short to long paper format) on the Economic Integration in the Balkans.
Paper Submission Deadline (for publication within 2026) – September 30th, 2026
Authors will be notified within a few days of submission whether their paper will proceed to the peer-review process. Papers submitted by the deadline above and accepted through the review process will be published within 2026.
Please note that submissions received after this deadline will still be considered for publication, but publication within the current year cannot be guaranteed.
This Special Issue is dedicated to the REDETE 2026 conference and welcomes contributions from both:
- Participants of the REDETE 2026 conference
- External authors working on closely related topics
The Special Issue focuses on the processes, challenges, and opportunities related to economic integration in the Balkan region, including (but not limited to) topics such as trade integration, regional cooperation, EU accession and convergence processes, institutional and structural reforms, labour market and migration dynamics, infrastructure and connectivity, and the broader socio-economic implications of integration for the region.
Submission Guidelines
Papers must be submitted directly through the ECONOMIA MARCHE – Journal of Applied Economics submission portal, according to the author guidelines available here, clearly indicating that the submission is for the REDETE 2026 Special Issue.
Authors are required to log in to the submission portal or register for a new account if this is their first submission, to submit their paper.
All papers will be subject to a double-blind peer-review process. ECONOMIA MARCHE – Journal of Applied Economics aims to have a quick turnover time.
Please note that, in case of a high number of submissions, the Special Issue may be divided into two parts.
Some important features of the journal's submission format are:
- Flexible length: Contributions may range from 3,000 to 15,000 words (excluding references), accommodating both short and long paper formats.
- Rapid: The fast review process and prompt online publication ensure a brief manuscript turnover time.
- Efficient: A quick way to stay up-to-date with developments in all areas of economics.
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Previous Special Issues
Special Issue on AS2025: Education, Skills, and Development. New Frontiers in Learning, Innovation, and Inclusion
Dedicated to the Alliance Summit 2025 – Skillman, Ancona, 9-10 July 2025
We are pleased to announce a Special Issue of ECONOMIA MARCHE - Journal of Applied Economics dedicated to short papers (max 4,000 words) on the evolving intersections of education, skills development, and regional economic growth.
This issue builds upon the interesting insights emerged from the Skillman Alliance Summit 2025, recently held in Ancona, which gathered experts, researchers and practitioners from across Europe and beyond with the aim of discussing and advancing our knowledge on Education and Training Systems for a Just Transition, Sustainable and Digital Transformation, Resilient Societies, and cohesion in the Adriatic-Ionian Region.
The summit offered a rich platform to explore emerging trends, challenges, and innovations shaping education and training systems worldwide. Core themes included:
• Sustainability, Inclusion & Regional Development: How education and skills policies can drive sustainable growth, strengthen social cohesion, and foster balanced territorial development.
• Entrepreneurship & Competence: The role of entrepreneurial education, competence-based learning, and new approaches to fostering innovation, adaptability, and employability.
• Skills & TVET Innovation: Innovations in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), including flexible pathways, lifelong learning, and responsive curricula.
• Digital & Immersive Learning: The impact of digital technologies, AI, and immersive environments on learning experiences, teaching practices, and skills acquisition.
The Special Issue welcomes original research, applied studies, policy analyses, and case-based contributions from both participants of the Skillman Alliance Summit 2025 and external authors working on closely related topics.
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Key dates
Abstract Submission Deadline – August 31st, 2025
Notification of Abstract Evaluation Results – September 10th, 2025
Submission Short Paper Deadline – October 10th, 2025
Short Paper Publication – October 30th, 2025
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Submission Guidelines
The abstracts have to be submitted through the ECONOMIA MARCHE – Journal of Applied Economics submission portal, according to the author guidelines, clearly indicating that the submission is for the AS2025 Special Issue. The abstracts will be evaluated by the editorial committee, which will promptly decide whether the authors may proceed with the submission of the short paper through the submission portal.
Please note that the acceptance of the abstract does not imply acceptance of the paper. The short paper will be subject to a fast double-blind peer-review process. With a few exceptions, in which submissions are sent back for small editorial revisions before acceptance, each paper will be either accepted as is or rejected. ECONOMIA MARCHE - Journal of Applied Economics aims to have a quick turnover time.
Important features of the "short paper" format are:
• Concise: Contributions are usually limited to 4,000 words, excluding references.
• Rapid: The review process and online publication ensure a rapid manuscript turnover time.
• Efficient: A quick way to stay up-to-date with developments in all areas of economics.