Bulgarian Presidency Flagship Conference
Research Infrastructures beyond 2020 – sustainable and effective ecosystem for science and society
Sofia, 22-23 March 2018
Preconditions for long-term sustainability of RIs have been identified by the European Commission through broad stakeholder consultation launched in December 2015, which resulted in a report published in May 2016. At the same time, the Competitiveness Council underlined the importance of this challenge and invited the Commission to prepare, together with ESFRI and relevant stakeholders, a targeted action plan. In response, ESFRI established a dedicated Working Group which proposed seven high-level recommendations in its report adopted by the Forum on 21 June 2017. Further, the European Commission, drawing on the work of ESFRI as well as considering input from other stakeholders, developed a Staff Working Document (SWD) where 42 elements were identified as a basis for a future Action Plan.
In this context, the overall objective of the conference was to explore and discuss a concrete set of actions to foster sustainability and impact of European research infrastructures on industry, policy and society.
Discussions focused on three strategic areas that require particular attention and where concrete actions should be considered.
Strategic Area 1 – Synchronisation and alignment of Research Infrastructure policies and investments at different levels;
Strategic Area 2 – Develop a more robust and seamless funding landscape for Research Infrastructures across the lifecycle;
Strategic Area 3 - Improve the impact of Research Infrastructures as knowledge hubs.
Planning the project involved considering Presidency calendar of events, specific thematic strategic documents (referring to ERAC, EC, ESFRI, Ministry of Education and Science) and continuity of joint efforts of parties involved.
This high-level event was linked to the regular annual meeting of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) and the meeting of the Executive Board of the ESFRI in Sofia from 19 to 21 March 2018. This involved the participation of more high-profile representatives of Member States and associated countries. ESFRI members were invited as lecturers and moderators during the conference.
The Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria (MES BG) was the sole applicant and beneficiary for the project. Planning, both financial and in terms of organization, had started upon the approval of the initial concept for the conference presented to and approved by the Minister of Education and Science of Bulgaria Mr. Krasimir Valchev in the beginning of May 2017.
The Advisory Board has supported the project for the conference by providing advice and competence in regard to the conference programme and conference output, nominations and contacts with speakers, key stakeholders, renowned and influential thematic field representatives, policy and decision makers.
