1 A Political Answer to Current Challenges of Science Policy in the Baltic Sea Region
BSR is already one of the most competitive and innovative science region of the world 2
Current challenges 3 The Baltic Sea Region features different levels of science and innovation performance. Existing research and innovation facilities and infrastructures are not equally distributed and interconnected Our national higher education and research systems are under pressure (demographic change, globalisation, budget-cuts, digital revolution, etc.), but at the same time we expect answers from them to the great societal challenges National answers are not sufficient anymore! Closer transnational cooperation, utilisation of synergies between research and innovation policies and joint presentation of interest is needed.
BUT: 4 Existing organisations: EU NCM BCM NB8 CBSS BUP BRC BSRUN BONUS NordForsk Science policy in the BSR is organised and pursued mainly from a regional, national or European angle, a macro-regioal dimension is missing! Example: All BSR-member states/ regions have their own regional or national research or innovation strategies, but the strategy usually ends at the border of the political entity. There is a lack of a macro-regional coordination framework Despite the fact that various sectorial networks exist, a network in science and research policy covering the whole region is missing!
5 Members of the Network Ministries of Science, Research and Education in! Denmark! Estonia! Finland! Germany! Latvia! Lithuania! Poland! Sweden Key actors of regional cooperation:! CBSS! EUSBSR PA Education NCM Umbrella organisations or agencies responsible for defining/ implementing higher education, science and research policies Transnational stakeholders from various programmes such as BUP, BDF, INTERREG Baltic Sea Program, BONUS Universities and research institutions Innovation actors and agencies Regions, Cities, etc. Integration of Russia into the network!
6 Brainstorming Seminar 19th Februar 2015 in Hamburg The following activity priorities were identified for the initial phase of the Aim: Macro-regional science policy in fields of added value 1. Foster mobility and education in the BSR 2. Promote research and innovation in the BSR 3. Pursue joint political action and lobbying for the BSR
7 Organisational Structure BSN Steering Committee: Senior Officials c) from the Ministries of Science and Research Only examples for specific target group action Development of a BSR- Mobility-Programme for Students and Researchers Aim: to increase transnational collaboration to intensify intra- BSR-mobility Actors: NCM, ERASMUS- Authorities; In w Ministries, etc. Development of joint transnational research strategies in specific areas: Comparison, analysis of regional /national research strategies + infrastructures Identification of common /complementary policies Joint action Actors: Research institutions and universities Ministries, etc. Common EU-Lobbying and networking activities for stronger BSR funding priorities in EU-funding prorgammes to promote the region Actors: Ministries EU-offices in BRX and other topics to be defined in cooperation with relevant stakeholders
8 Proposal INTERREG Vb Baltic Sea Programme A good network is nothing without money! The INTERREG Vb Baltic Sea Region programme has launched its 1st call of proposals. Fortunately, one of the 3 priorities is on capacity for innovation and thus the fits very well into the funding scheme. To secure funding for the establishment of the a proposal for INTERREG VB BSR has been developed. The application has been approved on 19.11.2015 20 partners from all BSR countries, ca. 3 Mio budget, 36 month
9 Interreg application: PARTNERSHIP Project Partners & Associate Organisations Estonia: Ministry of Education and Research Germany: Hamburg Ministry of Science, Research and Equalities (Coordinator) Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Science and Equality, Land of Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of the Land Mecklenburg Hither Pomerania Senate Chancellary Hamburg Latvia: Ministry of Education and Science Lithuania: Ministry of Education and Science Research and Higher Education Monitoring and AnalysisCentre (MOSTA) Poland: Ministry of Science and Higher Education University of Gdansk Denmark: Ministry of Higher Education and Research / Danish Agency for Science and Innovation Sweden: Swedish Research Council Ministry of Education and Research Finland: University of Turku Abo Akademi University (BUP) Ministry of Education and Culture Russia: St. Petersburg State University of Economics (UNECON) International: Council of Baltic Sea States (PP) BSRUN Baltic Sea Region University Network BONUS STRING- political crossborder partnership between Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Zealand, Copenhagen, Skåne (DE,DK,S)
10 Interreg project: WORKPACKAGES and ACTIVITIES WP 2:Establishment of the network and joint presentation of interest Foundation of the, Joint presentation of macro regional interests on EU level, policy recommendations WP3: Development of research and innovation excellence in the BSR Joint transnational strategies for specific areas of scientific excellence Incentives/ funding schemes for fostering transnational research and innovation uptake in BSR, Measures for better transnational utilisation of existing/ planned R&I infrastructure WP 4: Mobility in Research and Higher Education Structured mobility tools and mobility funding instruments WP 5: Widening Participation in Research and Innovation Innovative Tools and Concepts and recommendations for widening participation WP6: Capacity Building & Learning Experiences Do's and Don'ts for successful implementation of transnational science policy cooperation.
11 Next Steps Next steps of the Spring 2016: Start of the BSN Interreg project and official kick-off event during the Polish CBSS presidency
12 THANK YOU! More information: Klaus von Lepel Julia Gottwald Research + Innovation Policy, European and International Affairs / F 1 Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg Ministry of Science, Research and Equalities Hamburger Str. 37, D-22083 Hamburg Tel.: +49 (0)40-428 63 4158 / +49 (0)40-428 63 4293 E-Mail: klaus.vonlepel@bwfg.hamburg.de E-Mail: julia.gottwald@bwfg.hamburg.de