Innovation Relay Centres created in Central Europe
As part of the Commission's efforts to increase cooperation in the fields of RTD and innovation with the Central and Eastern European countries, "Fellow Members to the Innovation Relay Centres" (FEMIRCs) have been established in ten Central European countries. The new Centres, which were selected following the call for proposals for cooperative research with Central and Eastern European countries under the INCO-COPERNICUS specific RTD programme launched on 17 October 1995 (OJ No C 271 of 17.10.1995 p. 25), started operating on 1 January 1997. FEMIRCs have been established in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The aim of establishing FEMIRCs in the Central European countries (CECs) is: - To contribute to extending European cooperation in RTD, innovation and technology transfer to the CECs; - To facilitate the participation of organizations from the CECs in Community RTD programmes; - To offer information and advice on EU RTD activities and services related to innovation and technology transfer; - To create an infrastructure for services in the fields of RTD, innovation and technology transfer. In order to assist the new FEMIRCs in starting up their activities the Commission has adopted a twinning approach. Each of the FEMIRCs has chosen a "twin" from among the existing IRCs in the EU. The twin IRC will provide advice and support through direct contacts, staff exchanges and training. Support activities may include: training; providing information on RTD, innovation and technology transfer; demonstrating electronic information services, such as CORDIS or ARCADE; conducting joint actions (for instance pilot technology transfer actions); and specific tailored actions for the partner FEMIRC concerned.
Countries
Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia