A systematic approach to the different types of R&D evaluation is of interest for in Western Balkan Countries (WBC). For this reason, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany and the Ministry of Education and Science of the FYR of Macedonia are jointly organising an International Conference on Evaluation and Benchmarking of research institutions in Ohrid, FYR of Macedonia on October 8-9, 2008. This conference will contribute to the discussion of approaches and criteria for evaluation and benchmarking of R&D Institutions by offering expertise and European standards for a dialogue between the policy makers and the science community in WBC.

The overall aims are to raise awareness of the subject of R&D evaluation and benchmarking, to introduce European “good practice” and to reach consensus on possible approaches to evaluation and benchmarking in the R&D system to be applied in the WBC. An underlying objective is to foster the integration of the WBC into the European Research Area and to contribute to the enlargement process.

The target audience of the conference are policy makers responsible for the funding of R&D organisations in WBC as well as high level representatives from academies of sciences, universities and research institutions in the WBC. In addition, this conference addresses scientists and experts from governmental and research institutions from other SEE-ERA.NET partner countries and decision makers from the European Commission.

The Southeast European Era-Net SEE-ERA.NET is a networking project aimed at integrating EU member states and Southeast European countries in the European Research Area by linking research activities within existing national, bilateral and regional RTD programmes. As a so-called Accompanying Measure to the Pilot Joint Call for research and networking projects of SEE-ERA.NET, this conference is financed by all 14 countries participating in SEE-ERA.NET.