Strengthening STI
synergies between EU,
Eastern European and
Central Asian countries
Dr. George Bonas
ICBSS and NHRF
ICBSS and S&T: Starting with
BSEC…
• The BS-ResPot project (2004 – 2006)
– ICBSS; Joanneum Research/AT; STEPS
Centre/NAS-UA; TUBA/TR
– The first FP project of the ICBSS and the
first attempt to study to S&T landscape in
BSEC
– Country by country (‘vertical’); but also
– ‘Horizontal’, i.e. indicators across countries
• The BSEC (1st) Action Plan in S&T
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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Starting with BSEC and… going
beyond
Two IncoNets for EECA
• IncoNet EECA:
– International Cooperation Network for
Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA)
• IncoNet CA/SC:
– International Cooperation Network for
Central Asia and South Caucasus
(CA/SC)
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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IncoNet EECA: Technical data
• Large consortium of 23 Partners
coordinated by the ICBSS, including
– EECA: 9 countries (AR, AZ, BL, GE, KZ, MO,
RU, UA, UZ)
• Plus activities for Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan,
Tajikistan
– EU/AC & MD: 12 countries (AT, BG, DE, EE,
SF, GR, MD, NO, PL, RO, SE, TR)
• Budget: 3.6 M€
• Duration: 4,5 years
• Under implementation since 1/1/2008
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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IncoNet CA/SC: Technical data
– Consortium focusing on CA and SC:
• 15 countries: 6 EU/AC + 8 CA/SC + MD
• 28 institutions: 8 EU/AC + 19 CA/SC + MD
– Budget: 1.6 M€
– Duration: 3 years
– Under implementation since 1/4/2010
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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IncoNet EECA: overall structure
Three parallel but interlinked ‘layers’
addressing:
I.
Policy aspects;
•
•
II.
Policy Stakeholder Conferences
Other EU policies (ENPI, DCI, etc.)
Analyses, Quality and Dissemination
(S&T Indicators, Cooperation Patterns, key
institutions);
III. Enhancing participation in FP7
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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IncoNet CA/SC: overall structure
Similar to IncoNet EECA with namely:
I. Policy aspects;
II. Analyses, Quality and Dissemination
III. Enhancing participation in FP7
But with :
More and/or dedicated activities for
CA and SC (e.g. Sub-regional PSC);
Specific studies
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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I. Policy aspects
• Organization of Policy Stakeholder
Conferences (PSC) bringing together
policy makers and scientists from EU and
EECA
– To identify fields of mutual interest for
cooperation;
– To investigate existing barriers;
– To propose priorities for action
• Organization of Workshops to feed the
PSC or as a follow-up activity
• Investigation of synergies with other EU
policies (ENPI, DCI, Innovation, etc.)
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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II. Analyses, Quality and
Dissemination (1/2)
• Study on S&T Indicators (quality of
data, incompatibilities, etc.)
• Study on S&T Cooperation Patterns
(existing Programmes, best practices)
• Mapping of key institutes (according
to specific criteria)
• Study on successful participations in
FPs (drivers, difficulties, etc.)
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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II. Analyses, Quality and
Dissemination (2/2)
• Quality control of the Deliverables
and of the project (internal peer review,
SWOT, etc.)
• Study on the Sustainability of the
activities (co-ownership? co-funding?)
• Intense Dissemination activities:
– Central Information Office and network
of Regional Correspondents
– Portal for the EU-EECA S&T cooperation
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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III. Enhancing participation in
FP7
• Strengthening the participation of
researchers from the region in FP7
– Increase participation in the ‘core’ activities of
FP7 (Info Days and BE)
– Thematic Workshops (SICAs, topics with
recommended participation from EECA, etc.)
– Activities for the ‘People’, ‘Ideas’ and
‘Capacities’ Programmes of FP7
• Support the NCPs/NIPs in EECA
(Training, assistance, links)
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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Achievements (1/3)
• Five Policy Stakeholder Conferences
already organized
– Athens/2009: S&T landscape;
– Moscow/2010: Mobility issues;
– Astana/2011: Evaluation approaches;
– Warsaw/2011: the White Paper;
– Kiev/2012: Innovation
• PSC scheduled in fall 2012 (Tbilisi):
Societal Challenges
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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The ‘White Paper on the EUEECA S&T cooperation’
Recommendations for actions in:
• Adjusting and implementing policy
strategies;
• Strengthening Research institutions;
• Strengthening Human Resources;
• Strengthening the role of the Private
sector;
• Strengthening sub-regional cooperation.
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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Achievements (2/3)
• Several studies already available:
– On S&T Indicators;
– On S&T cooperation Patterns;
– On Key Institutions
• Policy Mix reviews (of S&T systems) in KZ
and MD
• Benchmarking exercise of Nanotech
Institutes in AR, BG, BY, KZ
• The Central Information Office and the
IncrEAST Portal are fully operational
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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Achievements (3/3)
• Many events implemented to
enhance participation in FP7:
– 4 BEs: Astana, Kyiv, Warsaw, Yerevan
– 5 Info Days: Dushanbe, Minsk, Moscow, Tashkent,
Tbilisi
– 6 Thematic Workshops: Athens, Chisinau, Kyiv,
Minsk, Tbilisi
• Training sessions for the NCP/NIP
structures in EECA took place both
in EECA and in EU
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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Assessment (1/3)
• The PSCs constitute a very useful
tool for the identification of
priorities, barriers, actions.
• The PSCs can only partially replace a
more formal policy dialogue, which:
– would need a mandate (EC, MS)
– would have an increased impact in
EECA countries
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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Assessment (2/3)
• Co-ownership from most of the EECA
partners is limited in the policy dialogue
and in several other activities. The EU
side and partners are the main driving
force.
• Significant barriers exist among the
different EU Instruments (FP, ENPI, DCI,
etc.). Communication channels and
synergies should be developed
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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Assessment (3/3)
The strength of the IncoNets is in the
support of S&T policy dialogue,
through studies and other activities
aiming at the identification of
priorities for action (e.g. the White
Paper) that feed the dialogue
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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Information on the IncoNets can be
found:
- In the EECA Portal: www.incrEAST.eu
- In the projects’ web sites:
www.inco-eeca.net
www.inco-casc.net
Thank you for your attention!
G. Bonas, ICBSS symp.
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