From Policy to Practice: Recommendations of the White Paper Ralf Hanatschek, International Bureau of the BMBF Ljubljana, June 13, 2008

2 What has happened with the White Paper since the Steering Platform in Thessaloniki? Publication of the White Paper in "Transition Studies Review", Springer Verlag EC intra-service consultation meeting in Brussels on February 28, 2008 Implementation of the Joint Action Plan has already started

3 Recommendations concerning major players Western Balkan countries & EU Member States

4 Selected recommendations: Development of R&D policy Western Balkan countries Strengthen S&T as a national research capacity Develop national R&D programmes open to international cooperation Participation in regular CREST meetings and OMC working groups EU Member States Management training for S&T administrations

5 Selected recommendations: Human capacity building / Mobility Western Balkan countries Development of national mobility centres network and their integration in ERA-MORE Raising awareness of the existing opportunities (Re-) attraction of excellent scientists to Western Balkan countries EU Member States Implementation of Visa regulations in EU member states Raising awareness for excellent institutions in the Western Balkan countries

6 Selected recommendations: S&T infrastructure Western Balkan countries: Use of IPA funding Establishing of national IPA contact points in each ministry of Science in the Western Balkan countries Regional conference on the experience in using IPA funds for research related issues Building an inventory of existing S&T infrastructure including a strategic needs analysis for the reconstruction or updating of these installations Developing E-strategies by setting targets for the development of E-services in order to overcome the digital divide Setting up a regional ESFRI-like mechanism with a view to defining strategic medium scale S&T infrastructure needs in the region

7 Selected recommendations: S&T infrastructure EU Member States Transfer of used infrastructure by establishing a Web portal as a market place Integration of Western Balkan countries in ESFRI processes Preferential access to S&T infrastructure, electronic infrastructure and computer networks for Western Balkan countries

8 Selected recommendations: Institution building Western Balkan countries: Knowledge base through evaluation and benchmarking of Western Balkan R&D institutions and programmes Building up an efficient EU consultancy system based on NCP Initiate a debate on the establishment of regional centres of excellence EU Member States Training should be offered for national statistical offices and managers from the ministries responsible for science and research, with a view to effective monitoring of R&D indicators Give Western Balkan countries observer status in EUROSTAT committee

9 Selected recommendations: Foster participation of Western Balkan countries scientists in EU Programmes Western Balkan countries Creation of Regional Technology Platforms (mirrors to European Technology Platforms (ETP)) e.g. in the area of agriculture and food EU Member States Decision making in EU Programme Committees Raising awareness in order to make the association of the Western Balkan countries a success

10 Recommendations concerning Western Balkan countries & EU Member States Thank you for your attention