2 SIU Scholarship and Training Fund – An overview EEA/ Norway grants Conference and Contact Seminar, April 2012, Bergen Veena Gill, Senior Adviser,SIU

Principles of the STF Overarching programme approach with clearly defined objectives and expected outcomes Bilateral cooperation between BS and DS Institutional framework Common guidelines for country programmes Two way mobility students and staff Institutional projects at all levels of education -primary and secondary -adult education and training -higher education and research

Principles (contd.) Synergies between EEA/Norway grants research and cultural programmes Untapped potential - cooperation with the other 22 EEA sector programmes (for information see Enhancing competence and capacity in BS Comparative advantage - added value of cooperation with institutions/mileus from DS Sustainability Recipient responsibility and ownership Cross cutting issues – gender, good governance, environmental concerns

Overview proposed country programmes Beneficiary State BulgariaHigher education and research Czech RepublicPrimary and Secondary education Higher education and research EstoniaPrimary and secondary education Higher education and research HungaryHigher education and research LatviaHigher education and research LithuaniaPrimary and secondary education Adult education and training PolandPrimary and secondary education Higher education and research RomaniaHigher education and research Slovak Republic(To be finalised) SloveniaPrimary and secondary education Higher education and research SpainHigher education and research

Main features of proposed country programmes Focus on primary and secondary education - 5 out of 11 BS at present Strong emphasis on linkage between research and higher education – 9 BS out of 11 at present

Main Features (contd.) Capacity building A. Higher education and research - enhance and consolidate mileus through projects - tertiary level mobility –students and research and academic staff and trainees B. All education levels - institutional projects at all education levels - mobility only as a part of projects - mainly students at tertiary level and staff – mobility at lower levels – only through institutional collaborative projects – mainly staff taking advanced level education or training

Higher education and research collaboration in line with Norwegian government and European education policy Coordinated approach - relevant line ministries in DS and BS Pooling of resources between research and scholarship programmes Integrated policies at implementation level Prioritisation based on national needs in BS Streamlining focus and thematic areas in country programmes 8

Present concerns The time line – country programme approval by donors Timely submission by PO’s of supplementary information and clarifications to speed up programme appraisal by FMO and approval by donors Focused strategies by DDP’s to propogate the STF at the home front Concrete measures to facilitate professional networking between home institutions and institutions in the BS

Concerns (contd.) DS home institutions (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) participation in contact making seminars in BS Availability of resources under BC funds in BS for the same PO’s own participation in promotion events in DS FP /PO - funds for preparatory visits between DS and BS institutions Open calls – PO’s in BS

Expected immediate outputs development of common approach with PO’s from BS in start up phase of the STF– clearly defined tasks and delegation of responsibility between DPP’s and BS start up - cooperation activities autumn 2012

Expected long term outcomes Mainstreaming into current European policy and education/research programmes Higher quality education Contribute to consolidate and or enhance sustainable education mileus at institutions in BS Facilitate long lasting institutional bilateral cooperation between BS and DS Contribute to reduce discrepancies in access for all to education in BS Increase potential for impact on reducing socio- economic differences in Europe Reduce discrepancies in access for all to education

Concluding remarks Scholarship and Training Fund  Contributes to knowledge production  At all education levels  Focus on user needs  Hopefully collaboration between BS and DS in this area will help open new avenues of cooperation in the education sector across disciplines and national boundaries with the aim of reducing socio- economic differences and discrepancies with regards to access to the knowledge economy

14 NORWEGIAN CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN EDUCATION PHONE: FAX: POSTAL ADDRESS: PB 1093, 5809 BERGEN OFFICE ADDRESS: VASKERELVEN