1. Strengthening the Strategic Cooperation between the EU and Western Balkan Region in the field of ICT Research Input to panel discussion: Concrete actions & recommendations for regional cooperation (EU & regional dimension) Ulrike Kunze, International Bureau of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research Conference Towards an Information Society for the Western Balkans, Belgrade, 11-12 December 2008

2. Conference, Belgrade, 11-12 December 2008 2 WBC-INCO.NET consultation session on Dec. 10 Aims: 1. Definition of regional ICT research priorities - as input for the SEE-ERA.NET PLUS call - as input for the FP7 ICT Work Programme - as input for a regional strategy of the WBC 2. Recommendation for major generic activities to be implemented at regional level 3. recommendations with regard to a WBC Ministerial conference planned and possibly funded by IPA in 2009

3. Conference, Belgrade, 11-12 December 2008 3 WBC INCO.NET consultation session on Dec. 10 Invited stakeholders: Delegations from WBC (policy maker, NCP, ICT experts from higher education/research institution, expert from industry) Procedure for discussion: basis: Table with priorities only take into account readiness add priority Environmental sustainability and energy efficiency as request from SEE-ERA.NET PLUS consortium count the number of marks/countries for each priority establish ranking list

4. Conference, Belgrade, 11-12 December 2008 4 Results of consultation session Regional ICT research priorities (nr. of counts): 1. ICTs for Enterprises & eBusiness (6) 2. ICTs for Government & eGovernment (5) 3. Network technologies (Internet & Broadband Technologies, Mobile Technologies, Network technologies) (5) 4. ICTs for Learning & eLearning (5) 5. ICTs for Health & eHealth (5) 6. Environmental sustainability, energy efficiency (4) 7. Software Engineering (3) 8. [ Mobile Technologies (1) ]

5. Conference, Belgrade, 11-12 December 2008 5 What is SEE-ERA.NET PLUS? a network project for the integration of Western Balkan countries into the European Research Area (ERA). funded under FP 7 consortium of 17 partners from 14 countries will launch a joint call for Joint European Research Projects (JERPs) in spring/summer 2009 with a planned budget of around EURO 3.5 Mio call will engage scientists and key actors in R&D policy making including EU member states, Associated States and all Western Balkan countries

6. Conference, Belgrade, 11-12 December 2008 6 SEE ERA.NET PLUS task: Specific scientific priorities will be chosen for the scope of the call, based on the regional collaboration needs of the participating countries and bearing in mind the priorities of the 7 th EU Framework Programme on Research and Technological Development (FP7). A careful selection of scientific priorities will help to combine the two goals of enhancing cooperation with the WBC on the one hand and of fostering scientific excellence on the other. Input from WBC-INCO.NET needed

7. Conference, Belgrade, 11-12 December 2008 7 Priorities defined as input for … SEE-ERA.NET PLUS FP7 ICT Work Programme WBC Regional strategy

8. Conference, Belgrade, 11-12 December 2008 8 WBC Ministerial Conference planned and possibly funded by IPA in 2009 Science Ministries but linkage with other Ministries use it to promote R&D and its importance for the economic development joining EU is a driver for putting R&D high on the agenda synergies with RCC (Regional Cooperation Council) and public authorities

9. Conference, Belgrade, 11-12 December 2008 9 Recommendations for major generic activities to be implemented at regional level mapping the needs of the society (desire for research results) Living labs networking activities synergies with RCC (Regional Cooperation Council) synergies with eSEE agenda PLUS foresight analyses are needed (national and regional level; different scenarios with more or less promising ICTs registration of researchers to EC evaluators database …. (your suggestions)