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Research Policy & Development

WBC-INCO.NET

Co-ordination of Research Policies with the Western Balkan Countries

The Western Balkan Countries INCO-NET enhances the integration of the Western Balkan countries (WBC) in the European Research Area.

The project, which started in 2008, is supported by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. The WBC-INCO.NET consortium is composed of 29 partners from the EU and South-East Europe: ministries for science and technology (S&T), national agencies, and analytical partners such as research institutes.

The core objectives of WBC-INCO.NET are:

  • To support the bi-regional dialogue on science and technology (S&T) by benefiting from and interacting with the Steering Platform on Research for the Western Balkan countries
  • To identify RTD potentials and priorities for take-up in FP7 and other European programmes in a transparent and methodologically sound way
  • To enhance participation of researchers from the WBC in European projects of mutual interest and benefit by capacity building measures and accompanying networking activities

The project objectives are being achieved in close interaction with the Steering Platform on Research for the Western Balkan countries, which was launched under the Austrian EU Presidency in 2006. Twice a year, representatives of EU Member States, the European Commission, candidates and potential candidate countries, and FP7 associated states meet in the frame of the Steering Platform to discuss achievements and perspectives of bi-regional R&D cooperation.

WBC-INCO.NET implements such activities as

  • Defining regional thematic S&T priorities
  • Analysing opportunities to access infrastructure, cooperation patterns as well as barriers to cooperation
  • Organising training workshops, brokerage events and awareness-raising sessions
  • Supporting National Contact Points (NCPs) and Research Information Systems
  • Publishing a regular newsletter, a journal and the web-based information portal

In October 2010, WBC-INCO.NET entered a new, extended phase: The project now puts an additional, specific focus on innovation-related activities while continuing the successful coordination and cooperation established.

For this new phase of WBC-INCO.NET, the consortium was complemented with three new ministerial partners from the field of economy and innovation and continued its activities until April 20214 (prolonged also by 4 months through an amendment). Furthermore, a WBC Innovation Group of Experts was created, covering high-level experts from the region and beyond, providing input to and spreading the results of the project. We invite you to have a look at the film about the project.

Team:

Section: Research Policy & Development

Partners:

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Tags: Balkan, internationalisation, RTDI cooperation

Type: Networks

Program: FP7 - Capacities - International Cooperation

Project Status: Finished

Submission Date: 05/2007

Project Duration: 76 months

Start/End: 01/2008 - 04/2014

Website: http://www.wbc-inco.net