Western Balkans

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

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News archive - Research Infrastructures as Part of the ERA Green Paper

In the context of the follow-up to the Green Paper “The European Research Area: New Perspectives” adopted by the Commission on April 4, 2007, seven expert groups have been set up by DG Research - one for each dimension of ERA identified in the Green Paper. “Developing world-class research infrastructures” was the name of one of the expert groups, whose overall objective was to identify and define possible measures and actions taking into account existing expertise, available evidence and the major elements stemming from the debate launched by the Green Paper.

Chairman Norbert Kroo highlights the benefits of world-class research infrastructures (RIs), in terms of generating discoveries and opportunities for new industrial applications, serving as beacons for high-tech companies, research establishments and educational institutions, attracting talented researchers and creating new economic activities and fresh employment opportunities. The obvious constraints on budgets make prioritisation and a coherent policy on EU level needed.

ESFRI and its roadmap play an essential part in the decision making process for pan-European RIs, transparency of procedures and involvement of all relevant stakeholders is needed to move further and national as well as regional planning needs to exploit synergies and complementarities as far as possible. Efficiency of funding and funding levels need to be raised and improved. Adequate legal and governance structures need to be set up and used, management guidelines and access policy criteria need to be developed, as well as access to global research infrastructures sought. The world leading e-infrastructure networks also need to be further developed.
Those and other recommendations are available in the expert group report, which also provides a short analysis of the responses to the public consultation.

Further information:
http://www.wbc-inco.net/doc/5451.html