EU–Caribbean partnerships support sci-tech innovation

The hidden potential of Caribbean nations, from Cuba to Jamaica, in science and technology (S&T) is now being harnessed and exploited with the help of the European Union.

Comprising a collection of island nations such as Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Grenada, Jamaica and Netherlands Antilles, the Caribbean region holds much hidden research and innovation potential. The EU-funded project ''fostering European Union - Caribbean research and innovation networks'' (EUCARINET) is exploiting this potential to the benefit of both regions.

project partners are building long-term policy dialogue in S&T among stakeholders from both regions, reaching out to Latin America as well. They are also facilitating the participation of the Caribbean on the whole in EU-funded projects and promoting public–private partnerships.

to achieve its aims, the project is organising collaboration workshops in many Caribbean nations, in addition to mapping research and innovation potential. It is also hosting synergy events with the other Caribbean, EU and Latin American platforms, as well as training research officers to act as multipliers for European project opportunities.

importantly, the project team is identifying priority research and technology development (RTD) topics of common interest to support policy dialogue and encourage more EU–Caribbean projects. Furthermore, it is creating specific instruments for effective S&T cooperation and establishing a network of EU national contact points (NCPs) in the Caribbean.

A series of studies, reports and analyses have already emerged from the project, most of which have been published online, enabling stakeholders to encourage partnerships and joint projects. In parallel, the project''s website has become a strong online platform featuring valuable information on project activities, partners, project results and events.

as a result of these initiatives, the participation of Caribbean research stakeholders in European programmes and projects has already begun to increase. This opens the road for many opportunities in the future, contributing to the region''s well-being and supporting the EU knowledge economy. With strong EU links, the future of research, technology and innovation in Caribbean nations now looks much brighter.

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