The Network of Spatial Research and Planning in Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe, is organizing the Network Conference of Spa-ce.net - 21st year of 21st century, titled Western Balkans’ Challenge of Common Future, taking place from 21st-22nd September 2021, Belgrade, Serbia.

Two decades into the 21st century, the Western Balkan countries still face a challenge of building sustainable functional networks and cooperation among each other. The objective of stronger cooperation for better common future is rational but it is one asking for confidence, common vision of joint competitiveness, social cohesion, and a proper mode of governance. This requires a productive debate not only in the political circles (for example, the political idea of Little Schengen) but also in the broad and interdisciplinary scientific discourse. spa-ce.net is an appropriate platform of planning science representatives from CESEE countries, with a number of institutions from the Western Balkans. The initial discussion at this platform should start with searching for a coherent method, i.e. paving the pathway to voluntary functional networking among Western Balkan countries for their sustainable future. In addition, contributions building upon other cases of cross-border cooperation in Europe could prove helpful.