COSMOS+ · Continuation Of the cooperation of Space NCPs as a Means to Optimise Services

In June 2008 the Space National Contact Points (NCPs) from 33 EU member states and FP7 associated countries started COSMOS, the “Cooperation Of Space NCPs as a Means to Optimise Services”. NCP networks had been established in other themes already, like IDEALIST, and proved a suitable instrument to interlink according NCPs. This led to added benefit e. g. through new services like specific partner search activities and a project website providing useful information not just for clients of the project partner countries but for everybody interested. Through this and through joint trainings and experience exchange the partners eased access to NCP working knowledge and skills. Thus it was especially supporting less experienced NCPs. But also NCPs with several responsibilities profited a lot being short in their available time for the particular NCP field. In summary such projects for the first time allowed having joint trainings and staff exchange and organising joint information days on open thematic calls as international matchmaking opportunities. Such activities lead to improved and more balanced overall quality of NCP services. Through this they finally aim at raising the average quality level of project proposals.COSMOS was the first networking activity for Space NCPs. It also became a success considering the above mentioned objectives of NCP networks. Through the practical experience the partners further on learned a lot about effective exchanges, joint activities, needs and about each other. COSMOS+ builds on this experience and goes further in strengthening the NCPs capacity building and maximising the quality of their services for the Space clients all over Europe and beyond.