1. Comparative benchmarking exercise for the NCP system in the West Balkan countires Vienna 22-23 January 2009 NCP System in Montenegro Branka Zizic, NCP Coordinator Ministry of Education and Science Montenegro

2. NCP network in Montenegro Third country contacts from FP6 (2 persons) at the Ministry of Education and Science and Agency for International Cooperation in Science, Education and Culture Network of National contact points by thematic priorities: end of 2006 – beginning of 2007 Coordination of NCPs at the Ministry of Education and Science Associated to FP7 in January 2008

3. NCP Montenegro Presently 8 people form the network – inter-institutional non-formal organisation –4 at the Ministry –2 at the University –1 Agency for International Scientific, Educational and Cultural Cooperation –1 National Agency for SME Development –2-3 FTE

4. NCP Network of Montenegro Ministry of Education and Science – Dept. for HE and Science ZAMTES National agency for SME development University of Montenegro European information and Innovation centre Montenegro – Part of Enterprise Europe Network Tempus office Ceepus, fellowships Office for International cooperation Bilateral scientific cooperation Fellowships, short courses Centre of Information Systems – Info platform IPA part of pr.imp.unit Secretariat for EU Integrations – IPA, cross-boarder NCP Network and Montenegrin Stakeholders in Community Programmes and international scientific cooperation

5. NCP organigram Minister for Education and Science Deputy Minister for Science FP7 NCP Coordinator (senior advisor for int. cooperation) NCP 1NCP 2NCP 3 ZAMTES Director NCP 4 Directorate for SME Development Director NCP 5 University of Montenegro Deans NCP 6NCP 7

6. NCP activities Awareness raising Informing Advising Partner search Training Delegates at the Programme Commitees Reporting to the Minister, Science Council and Government on FP7 activities Defined according to the EC Guidelines for setting up the system of NCPs Priorities internally defined and discussed at the level of Deputy Minister

7. Review of NCP activities 2007 1 major Fp7 Info day Thematic info days (ICT, 2 KBBE, Health, People) 3 workshops on project planning and proposal writing (general and thematic for REGPOT) Round table on Mobility Mini-fair on European education and research programmes Establishment of NCP web site: www.mneresearch.ac.me www.mneresearch.ac.me Regular direct and on-line consultations

8. Review of NCP activities 2008 Preparation for signing of the MoU Press conference on association to FP7 REGPOT campaign: meetings, workshops, consultations, assistance in proposal preparation Thematic info days (Health, People, 2 SMEs) Workshops within coordination projects (EU Balkan FABNET, WBC Inco Net) Visit of the Commissioner Potocnik (meeting with researchers) Nomination of Programme Commitees / SCAR / CREST / JRC members, meetings Direct and on-line consultations Informing, Partner search Web-site updating Contacts with media, Promotional materials Participation in FP projects

9. Financing of NCP activities Ministry of Education and Science, Zamtes, Directorate for SMEs – budget FP projects budget Cooperation with local / international organisations or EU partners (GTZ Montenegro, Slovene Ministry HEST) FP7 participation 1 (NB. 75% rebate) NCP Activities + EC Committees 1/5 Main categories of costs: Travel Expert honoraria Promotional materials Workshop organisation

10. Priorities and differentiation of activities No defined NCP policy Ad hoc activities planned on 6-month basis, so to cover all the FP7 segments and respond to requests Guidance by the priorities set in the Strategy for research activities Differentiation of activities –General information about FP7, first contacts with institution, proposal preparation: NCP coordinator –Specific information about priority themes, partner search: thematic NCPs New initiatives – open to all NCPs BUT not part of business culture in public service FP project activities – complementary to NCP daily activities, but sometimes divergent. Non-flexible employment policy of the Ministry + lack of space are obstacles for developing the network

11. Evaluation of NCP work Feedback from the researchers, clients – in e- mail and direct communication Surveys about the quality and adequacy of workshops offered and subsequent improvement Still more focused on awareness raising, little body of project cases to analyse Reporting to the Deputy Minister and Minister – their feedback No formal evaluation about the effectiveness of NCP work

12. Strengths / weaknesses Motivated, flexible group Good internal communication Non-formalistic approach, readiness to bridge the gaps Physical closeness with technical and natural faculties in Podgorica Closeness with other Community programmes in the Ministry Small research community = ability to deal with individual requests Dispersed system within one town No regional coverage Some people working on a voluntary basis Low technical knowledge (proposal writing) Lack of quality system (services offered, information flow, evaluation) Decision makers too distant from NCPs

13. Thank you for your attention! Branka Zizic Ministry of Education and Science Cetinjski put bb 81000 Podgorica Montenegro zizic@ac.me +382 20 265-014