1. Towards a staircase to excellence in South-East Europe  coordinating national reforms with regional and European research and innovation policies Peter B. Mayr, science policy expert

2. Towards a staircase to excellence in South-East Europe Objective: underpin the current discussions on European, national and regional level – towards a more integrated South-East Europe Background paper for the Expert Meeting on 22 November  draft recommendations for the Ministerial Meeting on 23 November Discussion paper: Work in progress! Plans: -To integrate the key messages of the conference into the paper -Possible geographical expansion towards other countries and regions in the South-East of Europe: e.g. Hungary, Kosovo, Slovenia etc. -Possible thematic integration of other policies, instruments or activities e.g. OECD, World Bank, innovative European regional policies

3. European Innovation Union - one of the seven flagship initiatives of Europe 2020:  boosting growth and jobs over the coming decade This is possible if European innovation systems are streamlined and organised, their national and regional fragmentation reduced: The delivery of the European Research Area by 2014 - central focus of this flagship initiative  to be engineered by measures including the coordination of national and regional Research policies and the joint programming of Research actions. (European Commission 2011, Horizon 2020: 10) Towards a staircase to excellence in South-East Europe - The political level

4. The formal dialogue between the European Union and all the West Balkan countries on research and innovation (Research) policy aspects: The Steering Platform on Research for the Western Balkan countries (EU Presidency 2006)  underpinned by the WBC-INCO.NET – an EU funded project to establish and maintain a bi-regional dialogue on S&T policies and programmes of the EU, its member states and non-EU countries in South-East Europe  the WBC activities: e.g. identification of Research potentials and priorities for European and national funding programmes, to the enhancement of participation of researchers from the Region in European projects: website www.wbc-inco.net Note: WBC-INCO.NET Mapping of the research infrastructure & equipment (Slovenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport)www.wbc-inco.net Towards a staircase to excellence in South-East Europe - The political level

5. Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)  Many policy fields  The RCC is a regionally owned and led political framework and focuses on regional cooperation see http:/www.RCC.intwww.RCC.int e.g. WBC regional Research policy  development of a Regional Strategy for Research and Development for Innovation for the Western Balkans (World Bank, DG Enlargement: IPA)  The Strategy will propose specific funding priorities with political objectives to help the targeted countries to mainstream their Research policies in their development phase Towards a staircase to excellence in South-East Europe - The political level in SEE

6. The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) (Council Conclusions 2011) in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania but also Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Ukraine and Moldova, plus other interested countries Combat challenges: Environmental threats including water pollution, floods, climate change, untapped transport potential via shipping, road and rail, insufficient energy infrastructure, uneven socio-economic development, uncoordinated education, research and innovation systems on a regional, national and European level Short-comings in safety and security Towards a staircase to excellence in South-East Europe - political developments in SEE

7. governed by different Priority Area Coordinators (PAC) The Council of the European Union stressed: ‘The EU Strategy for the Danube Region has a strategic framework guided by the Europe 2020 Strategy and the European Sustainable Development Strategy, thus its potential to contribute to long-term objectives, such as to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and competitiveness of the European Union is ensured.’ (Council Conclusions 2011: 3)  Window of opportunity 1: The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) INCO-NET  Window of opportunity 2: The Danube Region Research and Innovation Fund (DRRIF) Towards a staircase to excellence in South-East Europe - political developments in SEE: The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR)

8. Towards a staircase to excellence in South-East Europe - The technocratic level Upcoming period 2014-2020 will be a decisive phase for promoting EU R&I activities  Window of opportunity 3: Close coordination and cooperation of HORIZON 2020, the Cohesion, pre-accession and national funds oriented towards the objectives of the Europe 2020 and Innovation Union will strengthen R&I in the EU HORIZON 2020, Cohesion Policy and Pre-accession funds working together will present an important European competitive advantage – the Commission as ‘facilitator’ and the associated states and regions as the main actors

9. Why staircase to excellence? Increased synergies between existing EU and other policies and programmes - - - Why towards the staircase to excellence? To start talking about a more integrated South-East policy making and programming framework

10. Continue – increase national and European budgets Increase the public awareness of Research Further invest into evaluation mechanisms for programmes and policies - comparable data is needed to assess progress - participation of international experts that help further develop policies (EU, national) - participation of other actors (e.g. civil society): If we invest in transparency you invest into your own future! Towards a staircase to excellence in South-East Europe Recommendations

11. Continue – facilitating private public partnerships Build on your own experience and strenghts including priority setting exercises for existing networks: focus, filter and reduce  smart specialisation (national IPA; regional Cohesion) Ask your friends: All policy making, programme and project funding activities could foresee the strategic inclusion of Diaspora Don’t always ask for external support and let the Internationals do your work, but based on a bottom-up approach: Be open and use transparent methodologies that help you to find best. Towards a staircase to excellence in South-East Europe Recommendations

12. Agree with your ministers on ways to measure success and impact By the way – the successful participation in FP7 and soon Horizon 2020 is important but can not be the main indicator for success. Capacity building needs to focus on leadership training of future decision makers - learning outcomes  EU project management but also increased familiarities with EU public policy making Towards a staircase to excellence in South-East Europe Recommendations

13. Well established, real research and science funding mechanisms for South-East Europe as a macro-region:  close coordination and cooperation of HORIZON 2020 with national and regional funds: building the Stairway to Excellence  national strategies, regional and national funds need to focus on macro-regional development  at the end: South-East Europe needs to speak with one voice on a European level Towards a staircase to excellence in South-East Europe Recommendations

14. Peter B Mayr science policy expert office@as4b.at office@as4b.at Towards a staircase to excellence in South-East Europe Recommendations