ICT-WEB-PROMS · Promoting ICT cooperation opportunities and policy dialogue with the Western Balkan Countries

ICT-WEB-PROMS aims at increasing capacity of stakeholders in the Western Balkan countries (WBC) to fully participate in European ICT research and in the European Research Area.This will be done by creating and supporting strategic partnerships between stakeholders in the EU and the WBC while providing access to relevant knowledge. By encouraging participation of West Balkan stakeholders in European ICT research, they will gain access to ICT technologies already developed in the EU, and European stakeholders will be able to introduce their technologies into the West Balkan market, thus also strengthening EU competitiveness.Workshops and road shows will be organized in the whole area of the WBC, also outside the big cities, an interactive web portal in several languages provided, and a network of stakeholders created all over the WBC and the EU, building on existing networks. Focus will be on direct support to stakeholders, creating understanding not only for procedural issues, but also for the technology of the ICT FP7 programme emphasising areas of mutual interest. Feedback will be provided for the implementation of ICT and information society strategies in the WBC and for considering the needs of the WBC in ICT research of the EU. Activities are defined in order to achieve maximum impact, to work efficiently towards achieving the goals, and to build on previous and on-going support actions as much as possible.The partnership includes universities and research centres in all Western Balkan countries. These have been chosen in view of their capacity with respect to understanding of technology and their ability to best promote the ICT programme and networking with the EU. All are ICT experts in their countries, are well respected and have contributed to developing national ICT strategies. Partners are committed to sustain activities in continuing the operation of the web portal and working with stakeholders after the end of the project.