Results of the Framework Agreement “Strengthening National Participation in Horizon 2020” presented

The final event for the Framework Agreement “Strengthening National Participation in Horizon 2020” was organized by the Ministry of Science and the European Commission today. At the event, the head of the expert team of IBF consulting company, Alex Percy Smith, presented the results of the project. In addition, the participants were addressed by Dr. Darko Petrušić, Director General at the Ministry of Science and Hermann Spitz, Head of Cooperation Section at the Delegation of the European Union in Podgorica.

The speakers emphasized the importance of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation – Horizon 2020, as well as the need for further investment in improving national capacities, with the aim of more active community involvement not only in Horizon 2020, but also in the coming Framework Program (FP9).

It was jointly noted that this project had already achieved progress by providing direct expert support for the development of project ideas for ten Montenegrin institutions, as well as by training more than 80 people over six general training courses for Horizon 2020. It is also expected that, as a direct result of the project, by the end of 2017, at least four project applications from Montenegrin institutions will be submitted to the European Commission.

After the press conference, a workshop was held for representatives of the academic sector and the economy that took part in this project. The workshop was aimed at identifying the needs of Montenegrin institutions in the coming period when it comes to developing capacities in the field of project ideas and implementation of projects, as well as possible modalities for finding answers to future challenges.

Through group work, the workshop participants had a chance to share their views on the following topics:

- How to identify needs for capacity building in order to successfully prepare project proposals;
- How Montenegro and its institutions can increase the withdrawal of funds from EU funds;
- How to successfully collaborate and build partnerships with other researchers and innovators;
- How and in which areas Montenegrin researchers and innovators can contribute to the growth and strengthening of the competitiveness of the Montenegrin and European economies.

The implementation of the project “Strengthening National Participation in Horizon 2020” commenced on 18 January 2017 and will last for 10 months.

The total budget of the project amounts to EUR 299,000.00. The project is funded by EU and Montenegro, within the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA).