Assessment of R&D systems in the EU's southern members
An assessment of the current state of national R&D systems in the southern Member States of the EU has recently been published. Looking in particular at the field of water, the study aims to increase understanding of the sector so that research policies can be better coordinated with other policy areas. The study was conducted by the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS), part of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, in collaboration with the Commission's "Environment-Water" Task Force. The Task Force was set up to establish a link between relevant Community research programmes and other programmes at all levels, improve links between research in water and other actions influencing water policy and to stimulate an environment favourable to innovation in the area of water technology and management. The study is intended to increase the availability of information about the status of research in order to provide a basis for understanding other institutional and financial aspects. It is addressed in particular to decision-makers concerned with developing improved synergies between R&D and other policies. The report presents both general R&D and water R&D in Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. Each chapter commences with a review of the general R&D structure in each country, examining in particular: - The different government bodies in charge of promoting, designing and managing national and regional research policies; - The public research institutions; - R&D funding, priorities and programmes; - Cooperation developed at the European level and overseas. The second part of each chapter concerning water R&D systems focuses on: - Current R&D programmes with a water-related component; - Current funding; - An overview of the institutions involved in water-related research, as well as their current areas of expertise; - The results of a questionnaire to assess the magnitude and relevance of research in the water field.
Countries
Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal