COORDINATION OF RESEARCH POLICIES WITH THE WESTERN BALKANS COUNTRIES (WBC-INCO.NET)

The main objectives of the WBC-INCO.NET were in support of bi-regional dialogue between the EU, FP7-related countries and western Balkans (WBC) countries and to increase the participation of WBC researchers in European projects and structural measures. The consortium has included 29 partners. Among them were ministries for science, as well as economies ministries from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. In addition, ministries from Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Slovenia and Turkey participated in the consortium to add critical mass and momentum. The political dimension at bi-regional level is closely intertwined with the WBC Steering Platform for Research, implemented under the Austrian EU Presidency together with the Council of Europe-in 2006. WBC-INCO.NET has also supported dialogue within the region and the exchange of information with Directorate General and international actors, such as UNESCO or the World Bank. Dialogues are reasoned with several analytical inputs. To this end, higher institutions have participated in WBC-INCO.NET. It was intended to identify research areas in an inclusive and comprehensive manner. Furthermore, WBC-INCO.NET has monitored the research areas identified in future programmes and the participation of WBC researchers in FP7 collaborative projects. Existing collaboration models are analyzed by social network methodologies and collaboration barriers explored by empirical investigations. WBC-INCO.NET has also focused on capacity building and facilitating networking opportunities among researchers to enhance a better international recognition of existing potentials in the WBC. Some of the NPC European recognised organisations and research agencies have committed their capacities to join the WBC-INCO.NET and support the integration of the WBC region into the research area in education.