Renewable energy provides a strategic alternative to fossil fuels which helps to supports The EUS energy policyon environment and security of energy supply Bioenergy. lhe largest energy contributor for the EU-15's renewable energy consumption, has diversified resources, complex technologies, a wide range of products anddiversified markets (power, heal. biofuels and gases). This makes bioenergy a challenging development withgreat potential and world-wide impact.The 24 European countries spent around 220 million on Research and Development in Bioenergy in 2001, ofwhich 80% of this hudget was trom the six ERA-NET partner states. It was recognised that public funds could beused more effectively and efficiently, and development accelerated, if strong co-operation and co-ordination ofnational research activities can be achieved through networking.The objective of the project is to establish structural co-operation between national bioenergy researchprogrammes in the member states. To support the implementation of the co-operation a step by step, pragmaticand flexible approach will be followed, leading towards transnational research pilots.The following activities will be earned out: Systematic exchange of information and best practices on national programmes and networking toset research priorities, and share programme management practices Set up common strategic issues to analyse research activities that could lead to multinational schemes.and identify administrative or legal barriers that could hinder transnational co-operation, practical networkingactivities and mutual opening mechanisms Joint activities to develop multinational evaluation procedures, common programme monitoring andevaluation, enable personnel exchange at programme manager level, and develop a joint bioenergyresearch strategy Implementation of transnational research activities: to set up pilots of joint work programmesThe expected result will be a lasting governence structure, a platform...