PLATFORM Recommendations: Inspiration and Impact
PLATFORM organises inspiring and animated workshops. Briefing documents and expert and case introductions facilitate well-informed discussions of which outcomes are reported. The legacy of this process is a set of recommendation documents for the ERA-NET community and environment, for example on call management, cost/benefit indicators and collaboration of ERA-NETs and other stakeholders. Some activities are co-organised with ERA-LEARN and JPIs TO CO-WORK, to make the most of the synergies. The potential impact includes fast-track progress of new ERA-NETs, more collaborations between coordination networks, more coherence of strategies and practices, a higher visibility and appreciation of collaboration between Member States, and stronger links between national programming and European-scale coordinated programming.
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Managing calls efficiently and effectively in bioeconomy ERA-NETs
Selection of recommended applications and funding decision
Project negotiation
Joint project monitoring
See the factsheet Managing calls efficiently in bioeconomy ERA-NETs Read more in the full report 'Best practices and recommendations for effective and cost‐efficient call management in bioeconomy related ERA‐NETs' (download pdf |
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Performance of joint calls and other impact indicators of bioeconomy ERA-NETs
The outcome of this study is interesting for all ERANET stakeholders and also other entities that perform joint calls, because it provides figures on the costs and outcomes of implemented joint calls. It can serve for orientation on transfer costs associated with the implementation of joint calls and provide benchmarks for the cost planning of transnational funding instruments. It will equally well inform policy makers engaged in the bioeconomy and build a basis for decision making. See the factsheet Performance of joint calls and other impact indicators of bioeconomy ERA-NETs Read more in the full report 'Cost benefit analysis of KBBE ERA-NETs' (download pdf |
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Increasing collaborations between bioeconomy ERA-NETs for future benefitsA study from the PLATFORM project has mapped out opportunities for collaborations among existing bioeconomy European Research Area Networks (ERA-NETs) and with JPIs. Through inter-network collaborations the efficiency and effectiveness of research can be improved and cross-cutting or overlapping areas can be addressed. The identified opportunities are good starting points for integrated joint programming, and dissemination, and for new ERA-NET Cofund actions in Horizon 2020 and other activities such as fully member state funded multi-disciplinary calls, joint networking, training and dissemination. The initiatives included in the study span ERA-NETs, ERA-NET Plus actions, and Joint Programme Initiatives (JPIs) in the bioeconomy sectors. Through an exploratory inventory areas were identified where inter-network cooperation on overlapping or neighbouring topics could have a clear added value. General recommendations from the network coordinators include:
Collaborations at different levels See the factsheet Increasing collaborations between bioeconomy ERA-NETs for future benefits Read more in the full report 'Collaboration among public-public research coordination networks in the bioeconomy' (download pdf Print tip: Please check the “Choose paper source by PDF page size” box, for printing the tables in Annex II and III on A3 paper size. |
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Increasing collaboration and cooperation between ERA-NETs and JPIsThe PLATFORM project explored how to increase the synergy between the bioeconomy European Research Area Networks (ERA-NETs) and the Joint Programme Initiatives (JPIs), with the aim to contribute to building the European Research Area. The JPI on Food Security, Agriculture and Climate Change - FACCE-JPI, the JPI Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans, the JPI Climate, the Water JPI, and the JPI A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life; all joint programmes in the bioeconomy domain, were looked into. The responses to the questionnaire put to the JPIs showed:
Also, an important role was indicated for PLATFORM, in being a linking communicator and forum provider for programming authorities and network actors in the ERA-NETs and JPIs on bioeconomy relevant topics as well as SCAR Working Groups. Among information to be exchanged are the following:
The next PLATFORM project can also work together with ERA-NETs and JPIs to catalyse cooperation, exchange, and synergy. Also the experiences with the new Cofund instrument can be gathered and evaluated for its suitability to fullfil objectives of the networks. See the factsheet Increasing collaboration and cooperation between ERA-NETs and JPIs Read more in the full report 'Collaboration and cooperation between ERA-NETs and JPIs' (download available soon). |
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Getting ahead: recommendations for ERA-NETs and industry in the bioeconomyThe European PLATFORM initiative has presented recommendations for better exchange and coordination between European Research Area Networks (ERA-NETs) and industry-driven initiatives in the bioeconomy. Improving the existing collaborations and setting up new ones helps to realise the potential of research and innovation to produce 'more and better quality' in a sustainable way. From interviews and questionnaires with European Technology Platforms (ETPs) and Public Private Partnerships, the programme managers in the PLATFORM initiative conclude that ERA-NETs are well known in all industry-driven initiatives questioned. Most are already actively cooperating or trying to set up links with ERA-NETs in their field. There is clear value in networking, as vital interests are shared by all relevant stakeholders.
The surveys clearly highlighted the practical results of the collaborations between ERA-NETs and industry-driven initiatives, the most important one being the use of the ETPs' Strategic Research Agendas in the planning and preparation of joint calls for R&D proposals. Joint events such as conferences, workshops, and programming sessions were also mentioned repeatedly. Both ERA-NETs and ETPs agreed that close collaboration on such strategic issues holds the largest benefit for both sides. See the factsheet Getting ahead: recommendations for ERA-NETs and industry in the bioeconomy Read more in the full report 'Interaction of ERA-NETs and industry-driven networks in the bioeconomy' (download pdf |
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Benefiting the bioeconomy through global cooperationCooperation between the European Research Area Networks (ERA-NETs) and organisations in global research can benefit the bioeconomy. The PLATFORM project has explored the experiences and (potential) interest and published the findings on global collaborations in its series of recommendation papers. The results show opportunities for ERA-NETs that address research areas with a clear global dimension (such as agricultural research for development, climate action, land use, and statutory plant health), or where combined expertise can speed up knowledge creation and innovation (such as plant sciences, animal production, or biodiversity). Benefits lay in combining research budgets - so more budget is available and budget efficiency is increased -, access to research infrastructures, and critical mass of researchers.
A survey among bioeconomy ERA-NET coordinators was conducted in this study. The motivations were investigated as well as the benefits and barriers encountered in working with funding organisations outside the EU and with global partnerships. The overview of relevant global research alliances and intergovernmental organisations, including some with which there is no collaboration yet, was further elaborated by an internet search. The same set-up was used for insight into participation of funding partners from third countries. A call on social media (LinkedIn) and sourcing literature and reports gave complementary information on current practice and global collaboration potential, and on the rationale and experiences. See the factsheet Benefiting the bioeconomy through global cooperation Read more in the full report 'Global partnerships of bioeconomy ERA-NETs and JPIs' (download pdf |
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Fostering partnerships and national embedding for ERA-NET actions with impactThe European PLATFORM initiative calls for increased interaction and collaboration between European Research Area Networks (ERA-NETs), other European research policy platforms and national research and innovation authorities to tackle issues facing bioeconomy research today and tomorrow. Recommendations are aimed at maximising synergies, operational interactions, and high-impacting contributions to coordinate and collaborate across country and institutional borders. The context for European research and research programming has changed considerably in the last decade. The launch of Horizon 2020 has added to the dynamics of the environment as experienced by national programme managers and their European networks. We have the new ERA-NET Cofund instrument. There are less funds in many countries, and stronger push towards working across sectors and disciplines, along value chains, and with stakeholders. As such, these are all driving forces behind increasing the interactions and collaborations. Also, these developments cause a shift for the ERA-NETs from strategic, analytical and networking activities towards a focus on call implementation. Efficiency, synergy, and inclusiveness Policy and programming partnerships See the factsheet Fostering partnerships and national embedding for ERA-NET actions with impact Read more in the full report 'Recommendations on interaction and collaboration between ERA-NETs, European research policy platforms and national research and innovation authorities' (download pdf |