Comparative benchmarking exercise for the NCP system in
Comparative benchmarking exercise for the NCP system in the West Balkan countires Vienna 22 -23 January 2009 NCP System in Montenegro Branka Zizic, NCP Coordinator Ministry of Education and Science Montenegro
NCP network in Montenegro • Third country contacts from FP 6 (2 persons) at the Ministry of Education and Science and Agency for International Cooperation in Science, Education and Culture • Network of National contact points by thematic priorities: end of 2006 – beginning of 2007 • Coordination of NCPs at the Ministry of Education and Science • Associated to FP 7 in January 2008
NCP Montenegro • Presently 8 people form the network – inter-institutional non-formal organisation – 4 at the Ministry – 2 at the University – 1 Agency for International Scientific, Educational and Cultural Cooperation – 1 National Agency for SME Development – 2 -3 FTE
IPA part of pr. imp. unit Tempus office Ceepus, fellowships Bilateral scientific cooperation Fellowships, short courses Ministry of Education and Science – Dept. for HE and Science ZAMTES NCP Network of Montenegro National agency for SME development European information and Innovation centre Montenegro – Part of Enterprise Europe Network Secretariat for EU Integrations – IPA, cross-boarder University of Montenegro Office for International cooperation Centre of Information Systems – Info platform NCP Network and Montenegrin Stakeholders in Community Programmes and international scientific cooperation
NCP organigram Minister for Education and Science Deputy Minister for Science ZAMTES Director FP 7 NCP Coordinator (senior advisor for int. cooperation) NCP 4 NCP 1 NCP 2 Directorate for SME Development Director NCP 5 NCP 3 University of Montenegro Deans NCP 6 NCP 7
NCP activities Defined according to the EC Guidelines for setting up the system of NCPs Priorities internally defined and discussed at the level of Deputy Minister • • Awareness raising Informing Advising Partner search Training Delegates at the Programme Commitees Reporting to the Minister, Science Council and Government on FP 7 activities
Review of NCP activities 2007 • 1 major Fp 7 Info day • Thematic info days (ICT, 2 KBBE, Health, People) • 3 workshops on project planning and proposal writing (general and thematic for REGPOT) • Round table on Mobility • Mini-fair on European education and research programmes • Establishment of NCP web site: www. mneresearch. ac. me • Regular direct and on-line consultations
Review of NCP activities 2008 • Preparation for signing of the Mo. U • Press conference on association to FP 7 • REGPOT campaign: meetings, workshops, consultations, assistance in proposal preparation • Thematic info days (Health, People, 2 SMEs) • Workshops within coordination projects (EU Balkan FABNET, WBC Inco Net) • Visit of the Commissioner Potocnik (meeting with researchers) • Nomination of Programme Commitees / SCAR / CREST / JRC members, meetings • Direct and on-line consultations • Informing, Partner search • Web-site updating • Contacts with media, Promotional materials • Participation in FP projects
Financing of NCP activities • Ministry of Education and Science, Zamtes, Directorate for SMEs – budget • FP projects’ budget • Cooperation with local / international organisations or EU partners (GTZ Montenegro, Slovene Ministry HEST) FP 7 participation 1 (NB. 75% rebate) NCP Activities + EC Committees 1/5 Main categories of costs: Travel Expert honoraria Promotional materials Workshop organisation
Priorities and differentiation of activities • No defined NCP policy • Ad hoc activities planned on 6 -month basis, so to cover all the FP 7 segments and respond to requests • Guidance by the priorities set in the Strategy for research activities • Differentiation of activities – General information about FP 7, first contacts with institution, proposal preparation: NCP coordinator – Specific information about priority themes, partner search: thematic NCPs • New initiatives – open to all NCPs BUT not part of business culture in public service • FP project activities – complementary to NCP daily activities, but sometimes divergent. • Non-flexible employment policy of the Ministry + lack of space are obstacles for developing the network
Evaluation of NCP work • Feedback from the researchers, clients – in email and direct communication • Surveys about the quality and adequacy of workshops offered and subsequent improvement • Still more focused on awareness raising, little body of project cases to analyse • Reporting to the Deputy Minister and Minister – their feedback • No formal evaluation about the effectiveness of NCP work
Strengths / weaknesses • Motivated, flexible group • Good internal communication • Non-formalistic approach, readiness to bridge the gaps • Physical closeness with technical and natural faculties in Podgorica • Closeness with other Community programmes in the Ministry • Small research community = ability to deal with individual requests • Dispersed system within one town • No regional coverage • Some people working on a voluntary basis • Low technical knowledge (proposal writing) • Lack of quality system (services offered, information flow, evaluation) • Decision makers too distant from NCPs
Thank you for your attention! Branka Zizic Ministry of Education and Science Cetinjski put bb 81000 Podgorica Montenegro zizic@ac. me +382 20 265 -014
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