SIXTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
for scientific research, technological development and demonstration

The Sixth Framework Programme of the EU for scientific research, technological development and demonstration is carried out in 2002-2006 with the aim of creating a European Research Area.

Bulgaria's participation in the programme is coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Culture, with Ms. Albena Vutsova, Director of "Scientific Research and Programmes" Directorate acting as a principal coordinator. A network of National Contact Persons (NCP list in English) has been formed in all priority actions of the programme, and a special page dedicated to the programme has been uploaded on the Ministry's website.

INFORMATION ACTIVITIES
on thematic priority 7
"Citizens and Governance in a Knowledge Based Society"
in 2003

Since October 2002, Krassimir Nikolov was nominated by the Ministry of Education and Science as a National Coontact Person (NCP) on thematic priority 7 "Citizens and Governance in a Knowledge Based Society" of the Sixth Framework Programme, while BECSA has become a kind of a host institution for carrying out information activities in this field.

1. Preparation of informational and presentational materials on priority 7

    

   The preparatory stage includes an elaboration of informational materials targeted at a focused audience in Bulgaria: compact written materials (leaflets, summary tables, etc.) and presentational instruments (slides) in Bulgarian, aiming at an initial orientation in the programme, its activities and instruments, and at acquainting Bulgarian academic circles with the opportunities to apply for projects under priority 7.

2. Working meeting with the NCPs in the Ministry of Education and Science

    

   The working meeting of NCPs, organized on 05.02.2003 at the Ministry of Education and Science, was important for establishing a working relationship between the programme committee members for priority 7 and the other NCPs in the network. At this meeting, Kr. Nikolov presented his initiative to organize the first information day in the country targeted at one of the thematic priorities of FP6.

3. Building up a network of institutional contact persons

    

   In addition to the NCP network, prof. Stefan Hadjitodorov, programme committee member for priority 7, and Krassimir Nikolov, BECSA secretary general, launched the establishment of a sub-network of institutional contact persons based at various institutes and universities. The aim of this sub-network is to enhance the dissemination of electronic information on priority 7 towards directly interested recipients, who could benefit from the opportunities of FP6 in this field.

4. Information day

    

   On 20.02.2003 in Sofia, BECSA organized the first information day in the country targeted at one of the thematic priorities of FP6 – an info day on priority 7. Co-organizers of this event were the Academic Network for the Future of Europe, coordinated by the College of Europe Alumni Association in Bulgaria (ABSKEB). Aiming at a more effective dissemination of information, this occasion was used also for holding information sessions both on priority 7 of FP6, and on the Jean Monnet programme of the European Commission. Experts from the European Commission were invited as speakers on both topics. Funding provided by BECSA and ABSKEB allowed efficient organization and logistical support, thus increasing the audience considerably and especially enabling many interested academics from research institutions outside the capital to attend the event. (programme of the information day)

5. Information sessions and consultations on priority 7

    

   The bulk of NCP informational activities was dedicated to holding targeted consultations and information sessions for university units and institutes and for research teams that demonstrate specific interest for the research areas falling under priority 7. In some cases consultations are continuous – starting from a general description of priority 7 and reaching the stage of providing assistance for the elaboration of a project proposal. The units covered in this way are listed below:

   • Institute of Sociology – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (special info session)

   • Institute of Regional and International Studies (special info session, assistance in project preparation)

   • Economic Policy Institute (consultations)

   • Institute of Philosophy – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (consultations)

   • Institute of History – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (consultations)

   • Centre for Population Studies – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (consultations, assistance in project preparation)

   • Academic Network for the Future of Europe (presentations, consultations), comprising:
     - Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, European Studies Department,
     - Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski”, Faculty of Philology,
     - Veliko Tarnovo “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, Faculty of Philosophy,
     - Rousse University “Angel Kunchev”, European Studies Department,
     - New Bulgarian University, Political Science Department,
     - Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”, Programme “Political Science and International - Relations”,
     - American University in Bulgaria, Centre for European Programmes,
     - University for National and World Economy, International Relations Department,
     - Bourgas Free University.

      

6. Electronic Partner Search

    

   Assisting the establishment of international partnerships by disseminating electronic information on project proposals and initiatives is a permanent form of work of the NCP network. In most cases partner search has been “incoming”, i.e. from foreign research teams towards Bulgaria. However, the second half of 2004 witnessed a growing amount of “outgoing” partner search initiated by Bulgarian institutions.

   Information about these attempts to establish partnerships is spread both via the national NCP network, and with the help of the special international NCP network for priority 7 ( NCP list in English ).

7. Information session on the implementation of priority 7 in 2005-2006

   On 23 June 2004, BECSA organizes an information session on Priority 7 "Citizens and Governance in a Knowledge Based Society" of the Sixth Framework Programme of the EU, aiming at discussing the implementation of the respective part of FP6 in 2005-2006 (programme ).

   The session is held after the first two calls under priority 7 (with deadlines on 14 April and on 10 December 2003), and in the course of preparing the next Work Programme for 2005-2006. BECSA will invite leading Bulgarian researchers in the social sciences to take part in the session, in order to test the ground for their priority research interests in the future. The event is a forum for summarizing results from 2003 and for achieving a higher degree of integrating Bulgarian research interests in the fields of social sciences and the humanities in the focus of the Work Programme for 2005-2006.

    

8. Information session on the implementation of priority 7 in 2005-2006
   
   On 28 January 2005, BECSA organizes an information session on priority 7 “Citizens and Government in a Knowledge Based Society” of the Sixth Framework Programme of the EU, aiming at discussing the implementation of the respective part of FP6 in 2005-2006 (programme of the session)