Regional research cooperation - Results and achievements
The European Commission, DG XIII, has published a report outlining the results of five projects aimed at stimulating regional research cooperation in the European Union. In order to enable organizations in the less favoured regions of the EU to participate more easily and more fully in future European RTD actions in the field of advanced communications and telematics research, the Commission, at the initiative of the European Parliament, took action in July 1993 to invite proposals for a set of specific regional initiatives to address this topic. These actions, which complemented the Action Plan for the stimulation of telework in Europe, had as their objective the stimulation of research and supporting facilities in less favoured regions in order to enable a greater participation of organizations, particularly of small businesses, in future EU RTD programmes. The five projects selected were: - BINET (Broadband Interconnection Network): The project established full broadband links, using ATM technology, between Portugal and Spain, thence interconnecting with research networks and labs throughout Europe; - EPRINET (European Parliament Research Initiatives Network): Proactive support was provided, using VSAT technology, to over 300 SMEs and RTD participants in Spain and Germany, linking them to regional and scientific promoters, and to regional and national governments and administrations; - INTTELEC (Innovative Telecommunications and Telematics for European Cohesion): Video conferencing and Internet links were created between RTD institutions and SMEs in Ireland, Portugal and Northern Ireland to facilitate networking in day-to-day commercial activity and in the preparation of future trans-national RTD projects; - SUNRISE (Satellite Used in Networking to support RTD): Some 200 SMEs and RTD organizations in Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain were identified and networked, using VSAT technology. They were also provided with networking tools and Internet access to prepare for subsequent trans-national RTD; - WISE (Worldwide Information Support for RTD Efforts): The project developed and expanded existing Internet systems and the use of WWW servers to provide more usable and better focused support to potential trans-national RTD participants in, initially, Germany, Greece, Portugal and then in Ireland and the CCE (Countries of Central Europe) and NIS areas. An integrated summary of the results of the five projects is contained in the report, prepared on behalf of the European Commission by Mr. Stephen Simmons, Editor of the European Journal of Teleworking.