MEDSPRING organized last 10th June 2014 in Rabat the Awareness raising campaign on STI joint Programming accross the MPCs. The aim of this event was to increase awareness at national level of the on-going efforts and activities to foster Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. In particular, the awareness meeting presented the main frame of implementation of joint programming for Research and Innovation with EU Member States and the support of European Commission. The event was also an occasion to explore with participants the main common objectives and the targets for joint programming.
Please click here to get the Agenda of this event, and the presentation made by Marilena Rossano on PRIMA.
Background
The “Mediterranean Science, Policy, Research & INnovation Gateway” (MEDSPRING) project is a 4 years bi-regional cooperation platform financed by the European Commission (DG Research and Innovation) under the 7th Framework Programme for R&I.
The project aims at reinforcing the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation on Research and Innovation favouring financial and institutional synergies, dialogue with civil society and networking in scientific and technological domains related, in particular, to three relevant societal challenges: Resource efficiency (particularly Water), High Quality Affordable Food and Energy (particularly renewable energies).
In order to foster the enabling environment to favour euro-med cooperation, following the principle of reciprocity, co-ownership and mutual benefit - as underlined during the Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Barcelona in April 2012 and re-affirmed by the Senior Officials taking part in the Monitoring Committee for R&I - specific Awareness Raising Campaigns on STI cooperation will be organised in each of the following Mediterranean Countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia.
Methodology & Implementation
The Awareness Campaigns are organised by the Ministry of Scientific Research or Research Council of the Country concerned, with the support of National Contact Points, to increase awareness at national level of the on-going efforts and activities to foster Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
In particular, the awareness meetings will present the main frame of implementation of joint programming for Research and Innovation with EU Member States and the support of European Commission. The event will also be an occasion to explore with participants the main common objectives and the targets for joint programming.
With the aim of improving national coordination, other Ministries (such as the Ministry of Energy, Agriculture, Water and Environment) and research funding agencies are involved, with the prospect for joint co-funding of EU members States, Associated Countries and Mediterranean Partner Countries. The participation of coordinator/holder of national and international programmes managers and stakeholders is envisaged .
Official Language: English
Expected results and follow-up of the initiative
Each Awareness campaign is expected to increase:
- Awareness of joint programming in R&I at national level;
- Involvement of other Ministries, stakeholders and funding agencies in the joint programming cooperation;
- Coordination at national level for R&I cooperation in sectors of mutual interest;
- Providing assistance for NCPs networking;
- Collecting feedback from research community and institutions about possible common needs and interests for joint programming
The outcome of the half-day meeting is also useful to build a regional frame of Mediterranean countries interests.
Follow-up: The Conclusions and the results of the meetings will be taken into account in the process leading to the development and implementation of P.R.I.M.A. - Partnership in Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area, joint programme initiative under Article 185 of the TFEU.
