1. Mandate and working principles Prep-SCG 13 September 2013
CIS-SPI
Mandate and working principles
Prep-SCG 13 September 2013
Christos FRAGAKIS
European Commission
DG Research and Innovation
Frédérique MARTINI
ONEMA

2. CIS-SPI: Outcomes from previous phase
Prioritised research needs identified by the CIS groups, inventory of existing knowledge and research activities, further gaps, recommendation for policy briefs – user friendly template
Communication and dissemination to SCG, water Directors and CIS groups, DG RTD, JPI water, EIP water + CIRCABC
Three annual SPI events to improve dialogue between the science and policy; Reports have been published and are available
Report for entire activity under publication
Prep-SCG Meeting, Brussels, 13 September 2013

3. CIS-SPI: Lessons learnt from previous activity
Detailed list of lessons and recommendations in the final report. In summary:
The need to continue and further improve SPI activities within WFD CIS should be formally acknowledged in the revised mandate not to be overlooked;
Make SPI a regular agenda item in the CIS WGs and assign dedicated SPI correspondents for each WG to organise and mainstream SPI into group’s core activities - WG’s core activites hand-in-hand with SPI
Extent SPI outreach to involve implementers at river basin level to further enhance uptake of researchg results;
Prep-SCG Meeting, Brussels, 13 September 2013

4. Expected added-value of SPI activity in the CIS
Ensure CIS "deliverables" and RBP based on "state-of-the-art" knowledge and scientific evidence;
500 Mio € annually on water research at EU and national level. More obligation to the European society to make optimal use of the outcomes of this investment and return benefits to society;
Continuous streamlining knowledge gaps identified by CIS WGs into research policy agendas of funding "bodies" (EC, JPI, EIP etc.); Hence ensure Policy-relevant Research
Sharing of "experiences" among WGs; test and improve methods and operational tools to enhance effectiveness of SPI; Learning by doing
Prep-SCG Meeting, Brussels, 13 September 2013

5. A new CIS-SPI mandate – Working principles
SPI should serve WGs' in carrying out their mandate without adding unecessary workload and "bureaucracy; Secure WGs’ buy-in into the process;
Each WG should be responsible for its SPI strategy and its implementation (a "decentralised" approach) to secure "customised" support to the group's activities and better use of resources; Secure ownership of the process;
Prep-SCG Meeting, Brussels, 13 September 2013

6. Way forward-Open Questions
To secure a "client"-driven SPI activity, the WGs themselves must define:
How can scientific evidence be communicated to river basin within the revised CIS framework? Actors? Mechanisms? ……
What are their SPI needs in support of their mandated activities;
Operational modalities to streamline SPI into their "core" activities;
Identify possible needs for cross-WGs co-ordination to address cross-cutting/transversal WFD and SPI-relevant issues;
Identify specific needs, if any, that can better be dealt with through an over-arching CIS-SPI activity?
Prep-SCG Meeting, Brussels, 13 September 2013

7. Way forward Questions to address at the next CIS WGs meetings
Feedback to CIS-SPI contact points
Depending on the outcome of this "scoping exercise", the needs, definition of tasks and assignment of roles will become clearer;
If requested to do so, DG RTD will be happy to continue its engagement in the CIS-SPI process, provided that its role and tasks are well defined;
This will enable us to assess whether we can cope with the « implications » in terms of staff and budget;
Need to assess the situation before commiting ourselves;
Prep-SCG Meeting, Brussels, 13 September 2013

8. Thank you Contact points Christos Fragakis – DG RTD
Frédérique Martini – ONEMA
Prep-SCG Meeting, Brussels, 13 September 2013