The Event started with the welcoming and opening messages by the Italian Presidency represented by the Italian Minister for Education and University and Research, Stefania Giannini who explained the Presidency Programme with focus on Research and Innovation; by Luciana Zanier (JRC) who underlined the importance of the Platform as researchers needs access to the knowledge produced, and Tania Friederichs (EC- RTD) who welcomed the Platform members and stressed the importance of being associated to H2020.

The debate continued in line with the agenda and focussed on the developments as to the EU policy on Research and Innovation,the State of play on Research Infrastructures in Western Balkan Region as well as on Regional Activities.

Hereinafter you might want to download the presentation given at meeting.

P1) Spreading Excellence and Widening participation in Horizon 2020

This presentation was given by Dr Stefan WEIERS (Directorate General for Research and Innovation,RTDI B5 Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation, EC) who underlined the innovation divide throughout Europe and introduced to the new set of measures in Horizon 2020 under the separate specific objective "Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation" (WIDESPREAD):-Teaming for Excellence -Twinning (institutional networking) -ERA Chairs (bringing excellence to institutions) -NCPs (information, communication, support) -  Policy Support Facility (support for R&I Policy design) -COST ( stimulating cross border science networks) run under intergovernmental framework. 
These Widening actions will also create synergies between R&I (H2020) and Cohesion Policies (ESIF) notably through Smart Specialisation.

P2) Research Infrastructures in Horizon 2020

Presented by  Philippe Froissard, Deputy Head of Research Infrastructures Unit, European Commission – DG Research & Innovation it tackled the EU approach to RI as well as the WBC participationin FP7 RI activities and the H2020 calls and future perspectives

P3) JRC Support to Enlargement

Luciana Zanier (policy officer at JRC) firstly listed the available tools for JRC support to Enlargement, and gave an insight into the scientific support to the  Danube Strategy aimed at addressing the scientific needs related to the implementation of the EUSDR and  strengthening scientific cooperation in the Danube Region.

P4) The new 2016 Roadmap of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI)  Pre-view of official launch.

Giorgio Rossi from the Università degli Studi di Milano (IT) and Deputy-Chair of ESFRI took the occasion of the Steering Platform to announce the New 2016 ESFRI Roadmap before its official launch. The New Roadmap will be shorter (25 Projects) and contain projects at the “decision stage”.

P5)  CEI-PRAISE Framework Programme 

Presented by Giorgio Rosso Cicogna Special Advisor to CEI Secretary General it explains how the programme intends to promote Research, Technology Transfer and Innovation through Excellence in Science in all CEI Member Countries, through centres of excellence and advanced research groups expressing the best potential of their communities.

P6) Danube-INCO.NET - Advancing Research and Innovation in the Danube Region

Elke Dall, project coordinator, presented this new initiative that builds upon results and networks by WBC-INCO.NET but that has different overall objectives and activities, as well as a different (yet open) geographical focus. Ms Dall stressed the project activities that still are in the interest of the Western Balkan countries.

P7) What to do with IPA II for Research & Development ?

Presented by Tania Friederichs (EC- RTD) it contains some specific information on IPA and R1I  useful for all the IPA II architecture; hierarchy of documents; dates and planning.

P8) European Research Area

This presentation underlines the objectives, the state of the art and the future challenges and points out  how ERA remains a gradual process and it is now up to MS to implement the ERA reforms and make ERA work.