WBC-INCO.NET’s core objectives are to support the bi-regional dialogue between the EU, associated FP7 countries and the West Balkan countries and to enhance the participation of WBC researchers in European RTD projects by structural measures. Among the partners are the S&T ministries from the Western Balkan countries and in addition the S&T ministries from Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Slovenia and Turkey. This adds critical mass and momentum to the project. The political dimension at the bi-regional level is closely intertwined with the Steering Platform. The first Workpackage is designed to support the bi-regional dialogue in the platform, the dialogue within the region as well as information exchange with several EC Directorates General and international stakeholders. Under this “Workpackage 1”, led by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research, WBC-INCO.NET will support the organisation of

• 8 Steering Platform Meetings (the first one being held during the Slovenian EU Presidency)
• 4 regional S&T policy meetings
• annual meetings with Directorate Generals of the European Commission (e.g. DG Enlargement, DG Information Society, DG TREN, DG Education, etc.) to discuss interfaces of S&T policy issues with other policies (e.g. use of IPA funds; better coordination with the LifeLongLearning Programme etc.)
• 3 face-to-face “Round Tables” with multilateral initiatives and strategic programmes and projects (e.g. COST, UNESCO, World Bank, OECD, etc.; relevant ERA-NETs and specific support actions that target the West Balkan region)

The dialogues are substantiated with several analytical inputs and enhanced with capacity building measures. The negotiations between the coordinator on behalf of the consortium and the European Commission are currently under way. Evaluators remarks can be read in the box on the left.
If you have any questions regarding this project, please address Elke Dall at dall@zsi.at

ZSI successful coordinator for WBC-INCO.NET

The proposal scored 14.5 out of 15, evaluators stated that “the impact is expected to be high due to the fact that the proposal will be concentrated in structuring the bi-regional dialogue on S&T, supporting the regional dialogue on S&T, developing concrete research priorities of mutual interest in the thematic fields relevant for FP7, structuring and improving statistical indicators on science and technology available for the WBC, structuring and improving the information available on research in the WBC (RTD Information Systems), supporting the transfer of know-how to multipliers (in particular head researchers and NCPs, financial managers, research managers), and will enable concrete networking between researchers of WBC and EU MS/AC. Dissemination activities are planned and designed to fit the work plan and to rise the impact of the project. ...”

Articles published in eJournal summer 2007.