Dear Readers,

the 7th edition of the WBC-INCO.NET Journal is published on the occasion of the 10^th Meeting of the Steering Platform on Research for the Western Balkan countries, taking place in Ohrid, FYR of Macedonia on May 26, 2011. One of the key issues to be discussed by the Steering Platform is the state of preparation of the Common Strategic Framework for Research and Innovation as well as the related Enlargement Countries’ Position Paper, compiled in the frame of the Regional Dialogue initiated by WBC-INCO.NET.

This time, the main focus of our journal lies on Clusters. In this context, we would also like to inform you of the South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme’s third call, which is open for expressions of interest until June 17. “Policy Learning Mechanisms in Support of Cluster Development” are among the call priorities. Strategic projects will be funded to improve regional public administration ability and capacity to enhance, develop and implement effective regional cluster policy. The SEE Programme Area comprises 16 countries, including all WBCs. For further information, please go to: http://www.wbc-inco.net/call/110315.html.  

In the upcoming months, WBC-INCO.NET will put special emphasis on the field of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), with a consultation session taking place in Vienna, Austria from September 19 to 21 backto-back with the Conference “Challenge Social Innovation” (see: http://www.wbc-inco.net/object/calendar/112258.html). Further activities in the field of energy research are planned for the year 2012. Our team is also planning to visit some EU conferences. We therefore invite you to send us your dissemination material (brochures, etc.) so that we can share it at suitable occasions. As always, we are also happy to receive information about your planned events and other activities to be published on our website www.wbc-inco.net and in our eJournal. For this purpose, and for any other inquiries, please contact us at office@wbc-inco.net.

Elke Dall, Katarina Rohsmann, Ines Marinkovic

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