Short overview of the SCORE project

SCORE @ a glance Full Title Strengthening the Strategic Co-operation between the EU and Western Balkan Region in the field of ICT Research Project Instrument Specific Support Action (SSA) Project start 01 February 2007 Duration 24 months (project end: 31 January 2009) Funding Project funded by the European Commission under the “Information Society Technologies” Thematic Priority of the 6th Framework Programme. Partners 10 highly complementary partners: 8 – from Western Balkan countries 2 – from EU countries

(Project Co-ordinator) SCORE partners GREECE AUSTRIA (Project Co-ordinator) ALBANIA SERBIA INFORMATION SOCIETY SCG BOSNIA - HERZEGOVINA FYR MACEDONIA ECCF

The motivation of SCORE Current situation: No formulated EU ICT research policy for the Western Balkan region for the period 2007-2013 No defined common future ICT research priorities / policies within the region (driven by national level) Why SCORE? Need for well-defined future research priorities that will enhance RTD co-operation in the area of Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) between the WB region and the EU  SCORE aims to contribute to the shaping of EU ICT research policy in the region, in a way that meets the: interests and needs of regional ICT stakeholders and priorities of the European Commission

SCORE Objectives 1. Develop ICT Strategic Research Agendas that will define the WB countries’ ICT research priorities Following a wide consultation with ICT stakeholder communities (e.g. national RTD policy makers, research actors, ICT companies) 2. Develop a Policy Paper with “Recommendations for shaping EU scientific co-operation with the Western Balkan Region in the field of ICT research: 2007-2013” 3. Transfer EU research results and technologies in the identified ICT research priorities 4. Facilitate the development of networks Within the Western Balkan region, and Between the WB region and the EU

Key results of SCORE 4 country-specific ICT Strategic Research Agendas, defining future ICT research priorities: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia Serbia Policy Paper with recommendations for EU ICT research directions in the region 1 thematic workshop (per country) for the transfer of know-how on ICT research areas identified Organisation of an EU-Western Balkan Regional Conference, in order to consolidate the Strategic Research Agendas and Policy Paper.

Objectives of the SCORE consultation To obtain feedback from ICT stakeholders in order to determine the ICT research priorities in each country for the period 2007-2013. The ultimate aim is to identify research priorities that: reflect the actual research capacities and potential, meet the technological / industrial trends, and and address real socio-economic needs The research priorities are the main element for: defining the country-specific ICT Strategic Research Agendas, which in turn, will form the basis for developing the Policy Paper

Overview of the SCORE Consultation Process 2. Selection of ICT panel experts 4. Distribution of document & invitation to panel experts 5. Collection and Initial synthesis of contributions 1. Identification of ICT stakeholders 3. Preparation of Consultation Document 7. Development of initial Strategic Research Agendas (SRAs) PHASE I – EXPERT CONSULTATION 6. Organisation of Consultation Workshops with panel experts 9. Distribution of initial SRAs and questions - invitation to stakeholders 12. Development of Policy Paper 8. Preparation of consultation questions to accompany initial SRAs 10. Collection of feedback PHASE II – OPEN CONSULTATION 11. Development of Final Strategic Research Agendas Note: Orange steps produce key results / deliverables The Policy Paper will map national ICT research priorities to FP7 challenges

ICT Stakeholders Targeted DIRECT ICT stakeholders: National ICT research policy-makers (ministry representatives, specific ICT policy working groups, regulatory authorities etc.) Research actors / organisations (academic, not-for-profit, private) ICT companies (software companies, telecom operators, internet providers) NGOs for ICT promotion Related national / international projects INDIRECT ICT stakeholders (ICT beneficiaries/ user communities) Business community representatives e.g. chambers of commerce Broad public administration (e.g. ministries, association of regional public administrations) Civil society (e.g. online communities, links through websites of ministries etc.)

The ICT Strategic Research Agendas The Strategic Research Agenda will define the future research priorities and research areas of each country Structure of a typical SRA: Overall objectives of the SRA Research priorities for the country (5 to 10) For each research priority: research objectives are defined and Specific areas of research are proposed

The Policy Paper Based on the four country-specific SRAs, the Policy Paper will: identify common research priorities and needs of the WB Countries, and recommend areas of EU-Western Balkan research collaboration in the period 2007-2013 The Policy Paper will be entitled “Recommendations for shaping EU scientific co-operation with the Western Balkan Region in the field of ICT research: 2007-2013

The Final Regional Conference A closing EU-Western Balkan Regional Conference will be organised in Belgrade in January 2009 The Conference will target 80-100 RTD policy-makers and key ICT stakeholders coming from: the European Union Western Balkan region and neighboring countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and Turkey) The aim of the conference will be to consolidate the ICT Strategic Research Agendas and Policy Paper

SCORE Contact Information For further information on the SCORE project please contact: PLANET S.A. – Project Co-ordinator Soumi Papadopoulou, info@score-project.eu s.papadopoulou@planet.gr