Reaching out to Western Balkan Countries for increased research participation
The 'EU-Western Balkans network for training and the promotion of cooperation in research activities within the Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology area of FP7' (EU-Balkan-Fabnet) initiative worked to improve on the quality and quantity of participation in EU-funded research projects. Focusing on five Western Balkan Countries (WBCs), activities aimed at mapping the existing environment, providing training for WBC National Contact Points (NCPs), building capacity and awareness, training researchers and stimulating participation. Project partners, representing their country's respective research communities, actively promoted local researcher networking and worked to offer target groups valuable information related to Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) participation. Each WBC partner organised a series of local workshops that targeted either multipliers or researchers. A total of 254 multipliers took part in training sessions enabling them to pass on information to other groups of researchers for dissemination to an extended audience. EU-Balkan-Fabnet members developed a handbook for FP7 participation for enhanced reach to potential participants. Basic information included in the handbook was translated into the language of each participating WBC, and a project website was made available to the general public.