Throughout the E2020 a number of activities were implemented towards achieving the main objectives elaborated above.
In order to enhance the R&I cooperation under the main programmes and thematic areas of common interest:
- Nineteen H2020 info days were organized in SA Universities and RTOs, as well as fourteen side events in the context of larger conferences;
- A detailed monitoring report was elaborated on SA participation in H2020 with overall and thematic information covering the period up to 10/2018;
- Orientation, training, and continuous support was provided to the SA H2020 NCPs, as well as initial contacts with established EU NCP networks;
- A SA reciprocity forum was established with the participation of key SA funding agencies in order to coordinate efforts for the promotion of SA programmes in Europe;
- Four thematic sessions on Marine/polar research, nanosafety, ICT, and open science were organized to explore possibilities for further R&I collaboration.
In order to enrich and facilitate the EU-SA policy dialogue:
- E2020 actively contributed in the organization of the 14th, 15th, and 16th EU-SA Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee meetings;
- Input papers for the JSTCC were prepared focusing on innovation partnerships and EU MS/AC bilateral programmes with SA;
- A number of workshops were organized at the request of the policy makers focusing on Marine and Polar research, EUROSTARS, open science, science for policy advice, and nanosafety;
- Following the recommendations of the JSTCC, a twinning call on marine science and a Technology Transfer Professionals (TTP) exchange scheme were elaborated and successfully organized;
- E2020 successfully organized a celebratory event in Pretoria and a final event in Brussels with the aim to reflect on the ESASTAP initiative and the future of EU-SA R&I cooperation.
In order to foster innovation partnerships:
- A mapping of the EU and SA innovation landscape was carried out and a specific action plan targeted to policy actors was elaborated;
- Two EUROSTARS workshops were organized in South Africa;
- A support/exchange scheme for TTPs based in SA was implemented in cooperation with SARIMA;
- A policy dialogue between the SA and the European Business Chambers and Associations interested in cooperation and promotion of investment in RDI was established under the Trade Development Cooperation Agreement;
- A survey on the potential market value of projects funded under FP7 and H2020 with South African participation was conducted. A total of 29 projects were identified.
In order to promote greater coordination and synergy:
- A detailed dissemination and communication strategy was elaborated including the revamping of the E2020 website and the continuous use of social media;
- Participation in over fifty events both in EU and SA was secured in order to promote E2020 and raise awareness of the EU-SA R&I cooperation potential;
- A mapping of all the existing R&I Programmes between SA and EU MS/AC was carried out. A 3-year implementation plan for joint activities was developed.
