Co-ordination of Research Policies with the Western Balkan Countries
The Western Balkan Countries INCO-NET enhances integration of the Western Balkan countries (WBC) in the European Research Area.
The initiative is supported by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development.
The issue of enlargement in the direction of the so-called Western Balkan countries is high on the political agenda of the European Union. The Western Balkan countries INCO-NET will assist in developing the relationship between the EU and the WBCs in the area of science and technology (S&T). This project will last from 2008 to 2011, supporting the Steering Platform on Research for the Western Balkan countries in the facilitation of interaction between the Western Balkan countries, the EU Member States, states associated to the Framework Programmes for RTD and the European Commission. It is a strategic body designed to deal with European, multilateral and regional issues of science and technology policies in and with the WBCs.
The core objectives of WBC-INCO.NET are:
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to support the bi-regional dialogue on science and technology (S&T) by benefiting from and interacting with the Steering Platform on Research for the Western Balkan countries which was launched under the Austrian EU Presidency in 2006
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to identify RTD potentials and priorities for take-up in FP7 and other European programmes in a transparent and methodologically sound way
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to enhance participation of researchers from the region in European projects of mutual interest and benefit by implementing capacity building measures on a structural and individual level and by accompanying networking activities.
The objectives will be achieved in close interaction with the Steering Platform on Research for the Western Balkan countries. The platform members are the EU Member States, the Candidate and Potential Candidate countries, the countries associated to FP7 and the European Commission. It meets twice a year and is typically hosted by the EU Presidency or a Western Balkan country.
WBC-INCO.NET supports these meetings logistically and cooperates in an efficient division of labour.
The project will implement such activities as:
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definition of thematic regional S&T priorities,
analysis of opportunities to access infrastructure, barriers to cooperation and cooperation patterns,organisation of training workshops and learning groups (for example on research management, financial auditing and S&T indicators), in addition to brokerage events and awareness raising sessions,
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support to National Contact Points and Research Information Systems
- publishing of regular newsletters, a journal and the web-based information portal www.wbc-inco.net
How to contribute?
Through its portal, newsletters and reports, WBC-INCO.NET wants to establish the information exchange platform on S&T policy cooperation with the Western Balkan countries. We are open to publish your event announcements on the topic, your organisation profile and your project news, as well as to disseminate relevant news and documents on funding opportunities, cooperation possibilities, scholarships, awards, etc. We are interested in your suggestions on how to improve the S&T systems in the region; we would like to learn about your good practices and what you would need in order to improve your links with research communities in other regions.
Access to our platform is free of charge and open to everyone interested in our activities. With your user name and password you will be able to access the databases and to publish comments on all available items.
Apply for an account [/users/apply here].
Everyone is invited to use our platform by providing information, for example via e-mail to office@wbc-inco.net.
26 partners are participating in the consortium.
Among these are S&T ministries, agencies and analytical partners: more information on the team is available [/users/team here].
ZSI – Austria
Centre for Social Innovation
MOES – Albania
Ministry of Education and Science
MCA – Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ministry of Civil Affairs
MZOS – Croatia
Ministry of Science, Education and Sports
MON-MK – FYRo Macedonia
Ministry of Education and Science
MPIN – Montenegro
Ministry of Education and Science
MSCI – Serbia
Ministry of Science
SUS BiH – Bosnia and Herzegovina
Foundation for Higher Education World University Service
MPI – Serbia
Mihajlo Pupin Institute
Ivo Pilar – Croatia
Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences
KEC – Kosovo/UNMIK (UNSC 1244)
Kosova Education Center
CIVET – Albania
CIVET 2000
SBRA – Belgium
Slovenian Business and Research Association
SEERC – Greece
South-East European Research Centre
EC-DG JRC – Belgium
European Commission Directorate General Joint Research Centre – IPTS, Seville and Customer and Stakeholder Relations, Brussels
UNU-MERIT – Netherlands
United Nations University MERIT, Maastricht Economic and Social Research and Training Centre on Innovation and Technology, University of Maastricht
PT-DLR – Germany
International Bureau of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research at the German Aerospace Centre
FFG – Austria
Austrian Research Promotion Agency
TUBITAK – Turkey
The Scientific and Technological Research Council
GSRT – Greece
General Secretariat for Research and Technology, Ministry of Development
MHEST – Slovenia
Ministry for Higher Education, Science and Technology
BMWF – Austria
Federal Ministry of Science and Research
BMBF – Germany
Federal Ministry of Education and Research
MES-CRA – Bulgaria
Ministry of Education and Science
TuR&Bo-PPP – Belgium
Turkish Research & Business Organisations Public & Private Partnership
APRE – Italy
Agency for Promotion of European Research
Contact details:
Western Balkan Countries INCO-NET
c/o Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI)
Linke Wienzeile 246
1150 Wien
Austria
Project Coordinator:
Ms. Elke Dall
tel.: +43-1-4950442-62
fax: +43-1-4950442-40
e-mail: dall@zsi.at
Website: http://www.wbc-inco.net
WBC-INCO.NET is a project co-funded by the European Community’s Capacities Programme on International Cooperation under the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (2007-2013) (Contract Number: 212029).