Combining resources to strengthen transnational networking and research
The EU's ERA-NET scheme encourages research cooperation among Member States and beyond through networking and joint research programmes. In this spirit, the EU-funded ERA-LEARN 2 (Supporting the ERA-NET learning platform: Expanding application of the ERA-NET toolbox to a broader trans-national coordination community) project promoted collaboration through a central information platform on facilitating transnational research and development. Project members continued to develop the online toolbox that was set up by a previous EU initiative in order to facilitate ERA-NETs in mapping programmes and scientific capabilities and in implementing calls. They extended the toolbox to further facilitate the alignment and harmonisation of structures and procedures required for efficient and simplified joint calls. Its functionality was also upgraded to provide tools to assess the implementation of ERA-NET. The team provided guidance in the self-assessment of ERA-NET results and in the establishment of sustainable structures for the implementation of calls. It examined the possibility of mergers and the development of bigger management structures to facilitate a cost-efficient administration that primarily assists organisations with several ERA-NET obligations. Project partners explored ways to identify themes and specific topics for ERA-NETs, and facilitated a discussion on user expectations concerning the development and future implementation of the ERA-NET scheme and transnational cooperation. They also laid the groundwork for a future platform by evaluating user needs and expectations that will be applied from 2015. A framework was also created for monitoring and impact assessment of public-public partnership networks. ERA-LEARN 2 presented Member States with solutions on how best to continue to grow the ERA-NET scheme. It simplified procedures for transnational cooperation, enhanced the coordination of national and regional programmes, and minimised fragmentation of the EU's funding landscape.
Keywords
Transnational networking, transnational research, knowledge economy, ERA-NET, joint research, learning platform
