About RISING-RO
A regional network for radiation oncology in Southeast Europe.
RISING-RO brings together radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiation therapists, researchers, educators, and other professionals involved in cancer care from countries across the region.
Overview
Why RISING-RO exists
RISING-RO was developed in response to an important reality: although Southeast Europe contains highly experienced professionals and several advanced radiation oncology centres, access to modern radiotherapy techniques, infrastructure, education, research opportunities, and international collaboration remains heterogeneous across countries and institutions.
The purpose of RISING-RO is therefore not simply to describe these differences, but to build a sustainable regional network capable of understanding them, addressing them collaboratively, and representing the radiation oncology community of Southeast Europe at the European and international level.
The initiative is intended to evolve from a research and professional collaboration platform into a long-term regional network with scientific, educational, policy, and advocacy activities.
Mission and objectives
Our mission
The mission of RISING-RO is to improve radiation oncology in Southeast Europe through regional collaboration, evidence generation, education, professional networking, and advocacy for equitable access to high-quality radiotherapy.
Its activities are built around several interconnected objectives.
- 01 Mapping radiotherapy capacity and identifying regional inequalities
- 02 Promoting evidence-based implementation of modern radiotherapy
- 03 Supporting education and professional development
- 04 Strengthening collaboration between radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and radiation therapists
- 05 Developing multicentre and multinational research
- 06 Creating opportunities for younger professionals
- 07 Supporting centres with limited access to advanced technologies or expertise
- 08 Facilitating exchange of knowledge and best practices
- 09 Increasing the visibility of Southeast European radiation oncology internationally
- 10 Developing regional recommendations, consensus documents, and White Papers
- 11 Creating bridges between regional professionals and major European and international oncology organizations
Geographic scope
Regional rather than national
RISING-RO primarily focuses on Southeast Europe and neighbouring countries with strong professional, historical, educational, or healthcare links to the region. The network is designed to include representation from countries throughout the Western Balkans, the wider Balkan region, and Southeast Europe.
Its philosophy is regional rather than national. No single country is intended to dominate the initiative. Instead, the structure aims to provide meaningful representation from different healthcare systems, professional disciplines, and levels of radiotherapy development.
Countries
- Albania
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Greece
- Kosovo*
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovenia
- Türkiye
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
Core principles
The principles that define RISING-RO
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Regional equality
Countries and institutions should have meaningful opportunities to contribute regardless of their size or economic resources.
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Multidisciplinarity
Radiation oncology cannot progress through radiation oncologists alone. Medical physicists, RTTs, and other disciplines are essential partners.
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Scientific credibility
Projects should follow robust methodology and aim for publication in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.
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Transparency
Governance, authorship, project leadership, and decision-making should be clearly defined.
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Inclusiveness
Younger professionals and colleagues from smaller or less-resourced centres should have genuine opportunities for participation and leadership.
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Collaboration rather than competition
RISING-RO should connect existing expertise rather than compete with national societies or professional organizations.
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Sustainability
The network should gradually develop structures that allow it to continue beyond individual projects or individuals.
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International integration
Regional collaboration should ultimately increase participation of Southeast European professionals in European and global oncology.
Relationship with existing organizations
Complementary, not competing
RISING-RO is not intended to replace national radiation oncology societies or established European and international organizations. Its role is complementary.
National societies address national professional needs, while major European organizations operate across a much larger geographic area. RISING-RO occupies an intermediate space: a regional network capable of identifying challenges that are specific to Southeast Europe and communicating these needs to larger organizations.
Collaboration with European and international radiation oncology, oncology, medical physics, and RTT organizations is therefore an important strategic objective. The network can also provide a regional platform through which international organizations can identify partners, experts, centres, and educational needs within Southeast Europe.
Long-term vision
A recognizable Southeast European radiation oncology community
The long-term ambition of RISING-RO is to create a recognizable Southeast European radiation oncology community capable of generating evidence, sharing expertise, developing future leaders, and contributing collectively to European radiation oncology. Over time, RISING-RO could evolve into a platform supporting:
- Regional databases and registries
- Multicentre research programmes
- Clinical and technological benchmarking
- Consensus recommendations
- Regional educational programmes
- Mentoring and professional exchange
- Fellowship and observership opportunities
- International research partnerships
- Policy initiatives
- Annual scientific meetings
- Representation of Southeast European radiation oncology within wider European discussions
The ultimate measure of success would not simply be the number of publications, meetings, or members.
Success would mean that collaboration through RISING-RO contributes to measurable improvements in access to high-quality radiotherapy, professional opportunities, research capacity, and ultimately cancer care throughout Southeast Europe.
RISING-RO is a multidisciplinary regional network created to connect radiation oncology professionals across Southeast Europe, generate evidence about regional needs and inequalities, strengthen research and education, accelerate access to modern radiotherapy, and give the region a stronger collective voice within European and global oncology.