More science in the neighbourhood

Countries in central Asia and the Southern Caucasus have good research and innovation potential. An EU-financed project helped deepen collaboration with the EU in order to help them gain expertise and increase their participation in European research.

The EU''s neighbours in central Asia and the Southern Caucasus are of strategic political and economic importance. This explains why they are involved in the EU''s landmark European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).

Given the region''s potential for research and innovation, the sphere of scientific cooperation has also shown a great deal of promise. As such, a number of initiatives have been launched to promote collaboration between the EU and central Asia and the Southern Caucasus.

The ''International cooperation network for central Asian and south Caucasus countries'' (INCONET CA/SC) project sought to deepen and broaden joint research. Funded by the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the project facilitated policy dialogue and promoted greater participation in the FP7 by research communities in central Asia and the Southern Caucasus. INCONET CA/SC targeted all the countries in the region: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as Moldova.

In a bid to deepen policy dialogue, INCONET CA/SC undertook missions to all the target countries, and met with policymakers and the research communities there. These visits helped identify areas of mutual interest and paved the way for greater participation in EU-funded research.

INCONET CA/SC undertook various activities to encourage research bodies from the target countries to participate in the FP7. These included a grant scheme to take part in brokerage events, info days, a best practice study on successful participation on the part of the region, and tailored training.

Project efforts have successfully laid down the infrastructure to promote greater research cooperation and raised awareness of the opportunities available.

Related link:
http://cordis.europa.eu