Project “Capacity building of BiH in European Research and Technology Development Programmes and Initiatives (RTDPI)“, implemented in cooperation with the BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs and with the financial support of the European Union, officially ended after 18 months of its implementation. Project organised number of educational conferences, seminars, workshops and consultations with experts, with aim to educate around 350 members of research and academic community about participation in EU programmes for research and technology development, and in particular about new EU’s seven years research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020.
Bosnia and Herzegovina together with four Western Balkan countries (Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) and the Republic of Moldova, signed today in Brussels agreements that secured them full access to the Horizon 2020. All six countries have experience of cooperation on research and innovation with the EU through the seventh framework programme (FP7). Association to Horizon 2020 will increase cooperation in research and innovation and will create new opportunities for growth, competitiveness and jobs in economies of these countries. It will also facilitate the mobility of scientists, strengthen national research systems, and help these countries to integrate into the European Research Area.
Head of Operations Section for Social Development, Civil Society and Cross-Border Cooperation at the EU Delegation to BiH, Natalia Dianiskova, stated at the closing conference of the RTDPI project, that academic and research community in Bosnia and Herzegovina received important knowledge about participation in the Horizon 2020 through this project. “Now, it is up to BiH institutions and academic community how good they would implement this and use all opportunities with implementation of Horizon 2020” stated Dianiskova.
On behalf of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alma Hasanović invited all researchers to participate in this program and stressed: “This is excellent opportunity to participate with the best researchers in Europe and we are encouraging our academic community to actively engage in Horizon 2020”.
Branka Savić, Head of Department for Science and Research Programmes and Projects at Ministry of Science and Technology of Republika Srpska stressed that this project was excellent opportunity to gain useful knowledge and to develop ideas for future projects.
Jasmin Branković, from FBiH Ministry of Science and Education especially noted that this is the program of continuity and it would enable academic and research community to actively participate in the development of the society.
Horizon 2020 is aimed at securing Europe’s global competitiveness, economic development, and increasing employment hence overcoming the economic crisis. It enables trade, especially small and medium enterprises to initiate innovative projects and increase employment. Horizon 2020 has greater focus on the entire innovation chain, from the lab to the market.
More information on the Programme Horizon 2020 is available at the website: http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/
