FETRIC stakeholders address Tunisian societal challenges together
26 November 2013
Tunisia
The FETRIC project continues its activities with the introduction of stakeholders to the pragmatic approaches of progressively strengthening bilateral cooperation in research and innovation. The focus was the new European “Horizon2020” programme, supporting the dialogue between the EU and Tunisia, but also addressing the gaps, capacities, challenges and opportunities in Tunisia’s innovation process.
FETRIC approach these challenges with a “bottom-up” strategy, exposing and training Tunisian researchers in the Horizon 2020 programme and how the tool can be utilised to respond to Tunisia’s particular socio-economic challenges. This training will improve the quality and number of partnerships involving both researchers and entrepreneurs from Tunisia and Europe.
In particular, the stakeholders meeting emphasised certain key challenges: Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine maritime and island water research and bio-economy; Secure, clean and efficient energy; and Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials. Notably, the project will look to a multilateral approach, involving interested parties from the public, private and research sectors, the culmination of which will be the organisation of a brokerage event, encouraging and exchange of ideas.
Throughout the project, feedback will be continuously accumulated and channelled into the creation of a roadmap for future Science and Technology Innovation (STI) cooperation, written in an understandable language for policy-makers to address societal challenges of mutual interest, bringing EU – Tunisia science, technology and the innovation chain processes into alignment. Importantly, the project will also emphasise greater regional communication, incorporating important STI actors and projects throughout the Southern Mediterranean.
The stakeholders meeting had benefit from the participation of a couple of key figure, most notably the Higher Education and Scientific Research, Minister Pr Moncef Ben Salem and the Head of the European Union Delegation in Tunisia, Ambassador Ms Laura BAEZA
FETRIC approach these challenges with a “bottom-up” strategy, exposing and training Tunisian researchers in the Horizon 2020 programme and how the tool can be utilised to respond to Tunisia’s particular socio-economic challenges. This training will improve the quality and number of partnerships involving both researchers and entrepreneurs from Tunisia and Europe.
In particular, the stakeholders meeting emphasised certain key challenges: Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine maritime and island water research and bio-economy; Secure, clean and efficient energy; and Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials. Notably, the project will look to a multilateral approach, involving interested parties from the public, private and research sectors, the culmination of which will be the organisation of a brokerage event, encouraging and exchange of ideas.
Throughout the project, feedback will be continuously accumulated and channelled into the creation of a roadmap for future Science and Technology Innovation (STI) cooperation, written in an understandable language for policy-makers to address societal challenges of mutual interest, bringing EU – Tunisia science, technology and the innovation chain processes into alignment. Importantly, the project will also emphasise greater regional communication, incorporating important STI actors and projects throughout the Southern Mediterranean.
The stakeholders meeting had benefit from the participation of a couple of key figure, most notably the Higher Education and Scientific Research, Minister Pr Moncef Ben Salem and the Head of the European Union Delegation in Tunisia, Ambassador Ms Laura BAEZA