1. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY Slovenia: Towards the 6 th Framework Programme Peter Polajnar National Contact Point for SMEs, SLOVENIA The Warrsaw Conference: Launching the 6th Framework Programme in Central and Eastern Europe

2. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY SLOVENIA, fast facts 2 million inhabitants 2 million inhabitants 4,6 researchers per 1.000 employees 4,6 researchers per 1.000 employees GDP per capita EUR 16.000 (PPP) GDP per capita EUR 16.000 (PPP) Investments in R&D 1,5% of GDP Investments in R&D 1,5% of GDP

3. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY Participation in the 5th Framework Programme Slovenia enters with a delay of one year due to the pessimistic expectations of the research community Slovenia enters with a delay of one year due to the pessimistic expectations of the research community Pessimistic expectations are overcome Pessimistic expectations are overcome The membership fee returns through obtained projects The membership fee returns through obtained projects Slovenia is the most successful participant in between the candidate countries Slovenia is the most successful participant in between the candidate countries

4. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY Number of Coordinators (per capita) Relative number = per million of inhabitants, Time period april 1999 – february 2002

5. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY Number of SMEs (per capita) Relative number = per million of inhabitants, Time period april 1999 – february 2002

6. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY Number of RTD Performers (per capita) Relative number = per million of inhabitants, Time period april 1999 – february 2002

7. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY The factors of successful participation High absorption capacity due to the high level of investments in R&D High absorption capacity due to the high level of investments in R&D Good knowledge of English language and good connections of researchers with partners in EU, lasting already from the former Yugoslavia Good knowledge of English language and good connections of researchers with partners in EU, lasting already from the former Yugoslavia Tradition of participation in international programmes (approximately 10% of R&D budget comes form abroad) Tradition of participation in international programmes (approximately 10% of R&D budget comes form abroad) The size of the country that stimulates openess and international cooperation The size of the country that stimulates openess and international cooperation

8. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY Less successful aspects The difference between the participation rate of companies and research institutes is visible and worrying The difference between the participation rate of companies and research institutes is visible and worrying National science and technology programmes were not shaped in order to fit better the European ones National science and technology programmes were not shaped in order to fit better the European ones

9. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY Preparation for the 6th Framework Programme NATIONAL Strong campaign in the media Strong campaign in the media Set of workshops specially designed for SMEs Set of workshops specially designed for SMEs Improved cooperation with other support organisations in order to develop good network of consultants on the regional level (encouragement for participation to the Specific Support Actions) Improved cooperation with other support organisations in order to develop good network of consultants on the regional level (encouragement for participation to the Specific Support Actions)INTERNATIONAL Publishing of CD ROM with the search engine of scientific potential in Slovenia Publishing of CD ROM with the search engine of scientific potential in Slovenia

10. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY Unsolved policy questions The shape of national programmes The shape of national programmes Specific support for SMEs (swap for exploratory award, help in entering Integrated projects, awareness on the IPR issue) Specific support for SMEs (swap for exploratory award, help in entering Integrated projects, awareness on the IPR issue) Stagnation in the national budget on the side of investments for R&D Stagnation in the national budget on the side of investments for R&D Development of the agency outside the Ministry that will take over the national NCP network Development of the agency outside the Ministry that will take over the national NCP network

11. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY Optmism prevails this time around Slovenia has the reputation of a reliable partner Slovenia has the reputation of a reliable partner Slovenia was again very successful in the submission of the expressions of interest earlier this year Slovenia was again very successful in the submission of the expressions of interest earlier this year The research community and companies share the view that they do not participate for the money but for the long lasting partnership that will probably bring money in the distant future The research community and companies share the view that they do not participate for the money but for the long lasting partnership that will probably bring money in the distant future

12. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY More info: Peter.Polajnar@gov.si or www.rtd.si