Dear readers,

the 8th edition of the WBC-INCO.NET Journal is published on the occasion of the 11th Meeting of the Steering Platform on Research for the Western Balkan countries, taking place in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina on December 1, 2011. Some of the key issues to be discussed by the Steering Platform are the state of preparation of Horizon 2020 and synergies with the Pre-Accession Instrument (IPA) as well as the Implementation of the Regional Strategy on R&D for Innovation.

This time, the main focus of our journal lies on evaluation. Thus, we prepared some interesting articles addressing the general value of evaluation in RTDI, conducted evaluations and evaluation platforms (e.g. EVAL-INNO – Fostering Evaluation Competencies in Research, Technology and Innovation in the SEE Region). “Building blocks for an evaluation of Horizon 2020”, an article by Peter Fisch of DG Research and Innovation also allows us an insight into the challenges for an evaluation and monitoring system for the Horizon 2020 Programme.  

For the year 2012, WBC-INCO.NET is planning to further emphasise its support to the region to integrate into the “Innovation Union”, by discussing innovation support measures and preparing further strategic inputs. Sharing information on the current FP7 and the upcoming funding programme Horizon 2020 will be continued and a thematic focus will be put on energy research.

We are also pleased to announce that we are currently launching our new WBC-INCO.NET website. The new website offers i.a. increased interactivity and more user generated content. As a registered user, you will be able to enjoy several new features and benefits such as to indicate your scientific and regional focus and all related information will be automatically brought to your personal zone. You can post your event announcements, enter your project in our database and post an item on the notice-board and a lot more. If after visiting the new website, you feel it could be improved in some way, please contact us by email detailing the changes you recommend. For this purpose, and for any other inquiries, please contact us at office@wbc-inco.net.  

P.S.: WBC-INCO.NET also publishes a bi-weekly eJournal including all recent updates on its web portal. To register, please click here.

Elke Dall, Ines Marinkovic and wbc-inco.net Team