Actions under FP7 and ERA International Conference Fostering and Building Human Capital for Sustainable Knowledge Societies in South Eastern Europe Actions under FP7 and ERA 6 - 7 March 2009 Bucharest Tania Friederichs DG Research European Commission tania.friederichs@ec.europa.eu

Political Context S.E.E = Western Balkan Countries (WBCs) All WBCs have European Integration perspective Strategy for international cooperation: increase scientific knowledge Enlargement countries: research tool to facilitate integration into EU Instrument: WBC Steering Platform

Research at EU level Not only funding but policy Lisbon Council: research on political agenda Become most competitive nation 2010 (!): knowledge society  create European Research Area Fifth Freedom: free flow of knowledge and researchers (European Council 13-14 March 2008) Research policy in synergy with other policies: state aid, education, IPR, etc.

European Research Area • Stimulate research cooperation; critical mass, avoid fragmentation (FP7) Invest more in research: 3% of GDP Create research capacity: human resources and Infrastructure Mobility of Researchers and career development Science In Society What is valid for EU (27) also for Wider Europe: open ERA

WBC Platform Launched in Vienna in June 2006 by Austrian Presidency & Commissioner Potočnik Ensure continuation from Thessaloniki Agenda Confirmation of overall political commitment: future of WBCs in Europe Bringing together all stakeholders Role: stimulating, monitoring, coordinating research cooperation Overall aim: increase research capacity More details: Elke Dall, Project officer of WBC Inco.Net 5 5

WBC Strategy 3 pillars: (1) Engage together in research cooperation: association to FP7; observer CREST (2) How improve research capacity: human capital & infrastructure (3) Create synergies with other instruments & stakeholders: IPA, RCC,COST, EUREKA, UNESCO 6 6

(1) Research Cooperation FP7 Association FP7 made attractive: since 1/09 all WBCs associated WBCs same opportunities as Member States Kosovo under UN1244: participation as an ICPC Increase regional research opportunities All WBC observer in Programme Committees; CREST; SGHRM 7 7

(2) Research Capacity/ Human Capital Post-war situation; IMF recommendations, research not yet on political agenda: capacity in WBCs very weak Support for research capacity under FP7: limited Expect WBCs to develop national research policy: ownership Seek synergy with others: bilateral support; IPA; EIB 8 8

Human Capital FP7/People 9 different Marie-Curie Actions Specific support actions: mobility and career enhancement; researcher's night Overall objectives: development of R&D human resource in Europe; training of researchers Very low success rate in People FP7 very competitive; Marie Curie very popular and most actions for experienced/post doc researchers  not so much for WBCs 9 9

Human Capital FP7/SiS Actions to improve quality of science education in schools Promote equality of opportunity of women researchers 10 10

Human Capital Universities Universities/education: mainly DG EAC! But: realisation of Fifth Freedom closely linked to higher education reforms Support for university activities linked to research: assessing research performance at university stimulating partnership with industry data on research universities Crest working group/OMC: mutual learning/improve excellence Swedish Presidency Conference on "Universities and the Knowledge Triangle" 11 11

Human Capital ERA If we engage more in research: not enough scientists Policy measures: quantitative & qualitative measures - Encourage young people to sciences - Researchers' night - Code of Conduct for Recruitment - Charter for Researchers - ERA-Link - Scientific Visa package Network of Scientific diaspora Euraxess 12 12

EURAXESS (1) JOBS: Includes all information on job opportunities, funding opportunities, grants, employment, etc. (replacing the European Researcher’s Mobility Portal) (2) NETWORK: Includes all information for relocation assistance (replacing the ERA-MORE Network) (3) RIGHTS: Includes all information regarding the European Charter and Code (4) LINKS: Includes all info on ERA-link (the link of European researchers abroad, i.e. in the US and Japan)

FP7 EURAXESS Action not subject to calls for proposal Commission contracted with all WBCs: Croatia, Serbia, FYROM Montenegro, Albania, B&H: launched/2010 14 14

Recruitment & Career development European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for Recruitment: adopted by the Commission on 11 March 2005 Objective Charter: a reference point for career management, role & responsibility of researchers and employers on minimum rights and obligations Objective of Code of Conduct: reference point for transparency and merit based recruitment; fair recognition of qualifications and mobility experience Voluntary implementation: 900 research organisations/24 countries None in WBCs!! 15 15

Charter & Code New approach Developing a HR strategy for researchers: speed up implementation C&C How increase awareness/communication Analysis: research institute/ C&C principles External evaluation: every 4 years 16 16

HR Strategy for Researchers Internal analysis Example HR Strategy for Researchers Below, an example of a possible standard template for the internal analysis and implementation of the HR Strategy (other templates may be used) 17

Awareness Not well known: who knows/applies it?! Charter and Code Promoters' Network – 2008 Ad Hoc training activity on use 18 18

Renewed Lisbon strategy 2008 Spring European Council 2008: investing in people; modernising labour market, investing knowledge and innovation = renewed Lisbon agenda Research: new perspectives for ERA: more attractive; more competition (5 initiatives) HR: better careers and more mobility: a European Partnership for researchers (Com(2008) 317 of 23.5.2008) 19 19

Partnership Systematically open recruitment to all MS (associated countries) Social security & suppl. pension for mobile researchers Provide attractive employment & conditions Enhance training, skills & training Endorsed at Competitive Council of 26/9/08 SGHRM: forum to implement partnership policy 20 20

SGHRM Members: Member States and FP7 Associated Countries and Commission Task: exchange of information; best practices, guidelines First meeting: 25 March 2009 Also: reporting on Mobility section of National Reform Programmes (renewed Lisbon strategy) 21 21

Some remarks Important to strengthen human capital Actions at all level: burden sharing & ownership European level: a lot But: need a rescue action to capture potential ?! 22 22

Thank you for your attention!