1. 1 st Regional Contest For Young Scientists in the field of Natural Sciences Presented by: Albena Voutsova a.vutsova@minedu.government.bg

2. WHY ? Devoted to the UNESCO initiative- 2005- the year on natural sciences Aiming at vivid new initiatives gather together regional actors and policy makers Looking forward to establishing a sustainable regional research area

3. Objectives To stimulate creativity, innovation and investigation initiatives; To foster young people towards embankment in research career; To contribute to attraction and /or retaining more young researchers in the Region; To motivate competitive spirit; To bring together talented young people and researchers aiming at possible creation of critical mass;

4. Expected results Building up a basis for sustained European and regional research area Creation of favorable research environment for young people attraction Bridging up various opportunities given to young researchers Stepping up promising mentoring schemes Designing areas for future research fields for cooperation Outlining advanced European and regional research poles

5. Competition – main elements: Requirements  Participants: young people up to the age of 21 from all countries from Europe and SEE Region  Projects should be elaborated in the area of Natural sciences be accompanied with demonstration be innovative be worked out solely or in team  Evaluation criteria  Assessment  Documents to be created  Rewards

6. Evaluation criteria: 1. Significance of the results 2.Creativity/ Ability/Originality: 2.1. Unaided elaboration 2.2. How clear, completed and well prepared is the project 2.3. Quality of presentation (oral and demonstration) 3. Science Fair and Oral Presentation Criteria

7. Assessment - Two-levels International jury – consisting of eminent scientists from the region Alumni jury - consisting of young researchers that have taken participation in different international competitions (Europe contest, etc)

8. Rewards  An International Jury awards the first winners: –First Prize – financial contribution! –Second and Third Prize - financial contribution or material award! –Encouraging prizes  Alumni Jury awards 2 alumni

9. PILOT REGIONAL CONTEST Organized 2005 by the Ministry of Science and Education; Participants: Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia, Romania, Turkey 3 project Awarded Next venue - Turkey

10. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS Open for new countries participation; Social and Humanities sciences are also in scope; New incentives into the frame of the competition: –Lecturers from eminent researchers; –Follow-up stimuli such as organization of summer schools; visits abroad; etc.

11. Thank you! Albena Vutsova Ministry of Education and Science Bulgaria