1. © European Communities, 2011 Methodology for Priority Setting The applied methodology combines quantitative and qualitative approaches and aimed at informing the EC about research topics of relevance for the WBC with a view of integrating these in the framework programmes. Three elements have been considered: i) identification of topics of common interest for the WBC and the EU, ii) their policy relevance for WBC and EU, especially for the enlargement process, and iii) identification of topics on special research niches in the WBC. The methodology for S&T priority setting included quantitative elements focusing on the measurement of national S&T strengths and weaknesses. This was combined with a foresight process aiming at formulating promising or potential research themes for the region and corresponding resource allocations, which included vision building, networking for mobilising R&D communities and priority setting. Results already Achieved Five areas have been analysed using a pragmatic approach to the proposed methodology: i) ICT (in cooperation with FP6 SCORE project), ii) AgroFood (in cooperation with FP6 BAFN project), iii) transport, iv) health, and v) environment. For each a set between 3 and 5 thematic S&T recommendations has been produced. Results have been used both to inform national policy making and as input for funding programmes such as the SEE- ERA.NET PLUS project. A joint call for RTD proposals focusing on four of the priorities identified has already been launched. Currently another field is being analysed following the same methodology: energy. Foresight and a Joint Innovation Action Plan A bottom-up approach focusing on innovation is being shaped in order to combine the priority setting results achieved so far with research and capacity needs in the region to enable it to become fully integrated into the ERA by 2020. This shall combine foresight and joint programming to: i) identify innovation and research needs by 2030, ii) assess identified needs outlining opportunities for collaboration in the region and beyond, iii) develop a 2030 vision for the region in terms of innovation, sustainability, integration to ERA and openness to global partners, and iv) define a joint innovation action plan including RTDI priorities, adaptive policies, and instruments to be developed to attain the vision and identified milestones. The regional RTDI joint strategy will be launched together with RCC/DG Enlargement and the Worldbank. Contribution of the project to Strategy Development in the Region The project supports the Steering Platform on Research for the Western Balkan countries. It aims at facilitating the interaction between the Western Balkan countries, the EU Member States, states associated to the Framework Programmes for RTD and the European Commission. Its core objectives are to: support bi-regional dialogue on S&T identify RTDI potentials and priorities enhance participation of researchers from the region in European projects of mutual interest analyse needs and barriers to innovation in the region prepare an joint Innovation Action Plan for the WBC strengthen intersectoral dialogue and support the training of innovation stakeholders. The project is implemented by 29 partners including ministries for science, research, innovation and economy, agencies supporting STI and scientific institutes. Partners are both from EU Member States and the WBC (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244). Main Activities Undertaken A number of activities have been taken in addressing the projects objectives, most notably the development of a methodology for S&T priority setting and the inclusion of stakeholders in the WBC and the EU in a political dialogue, including the EU Commission, Parliament and Council, EU Member States and Associated Countries, as well as the Regional Cooperation Council. NOTES 1.Poster Title Replace the mock-up text of the poster title (Joint Research Centre) with the text of your own title. Keep the original font colour (100c 80m 0y 0k). Keep the flush-right justification. Set it in Helvetica Rounded Bold Condensed, if you own the typeface. Otherwise, in Arial, Helvetica or Verdana – plain or bold. Keep the original font body size (102 pt or, preferably,120 pt) and the title on a single line whenever possible. 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Place it elsewhere only if unavoidable for layout reasons, but in that case try, at least, to align it with some main element of the poster. 5.Additional Logos Should you need to display additional logos (e.g., of partner organizations or universities), reduce or enlarge them to a height within those of the JRC logo and the Directorate or Institute logo. Place any additional logos on the bottom of the poster, evenly spaced between the JRC and (if there is one) the Directorate or Institute logo, and vertically centred with them. 2011 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Regional Foresight – a case of the Western Balkans Contact Elke Dall (coordinator) Centre for Social Innovation E-mail : coordinator@wbc-inco.net Cristiano Cagnin JRC-IPTS E-mail: Cristiano.CAGNIN@ec.europa.eu The poster presents results of the WBC-INCO.NET project (Grant Agreement no.: 212029) co-funded by the European Community's Programme for International Cooperation under the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (2007-2013). Project duration is 72 months: January 2008 until December 2013.