31. maj 2025
There are significant differences in research and innovation performance between EU Member States, which is also reflected in the different levels of participation in the framework programs, where funds are allocated based on excellence. The low level of participation limits the potential of less successful countries to overcome the shortcomings of their development and innovation (R&I) systems.
The TWIN SYNERGIES (TS) project, which brings together 9 partners from 4 EU enlargement countries (Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Romania) and Germany, therefore focuses primarily on 'upstream' synergies - human resource development and internationalization. The 24-month TS project will develop and then implement activities for competence building, internationalization, human resource development, cooperation, and the use of new technologies. The project is linked to green and digital transitions. The TS pays particular attention to improving the level of cooperation and communication channels between relevant actors, in particular EU and national authorities involved in the preparation and implementation of Horizon Europe and the European Regional Development Fund support. In this context, the Smart Specialization Strategies will be considered.
The TS project, within the framework of the European Horizon program, is therefore intended to improve the procedures for transferring knowledge from the scientific sphere to the economy in countries that are lagging in this area. The TS has already entered its second half. The aim of the project is to have the TS project partners sponsor many new Horizon projects, which are being applied for by various organizations from the aforementioned countries. To achieve this goal, the project partners have already had several training sessions on writing applications for Horizon projects. The last such meeting took place from 8 to 10 April in Zagreb, and the next one is already being prepared, namely in Novo mesto at the beginning of July.
At the July meeting, in addition to training sessions for preparing excellent Horizon projects, the TS will promote the mutual transfer and enrichment (cross fertilization) of knowledge, experiences and perspectives of various stakeholders involved in the transfer of knowledge from the scientific sphere to the economy, namely with an expert round table and a 'World Café' workshop. The expert roundtable will thus include one representative each from decision-makers, university knowledge transfer offices, universities, startup companies in the field of 'deep tech' (English: Deep Tech) and venture capital funds. The roundtable will highlight the problems faced by various stakeholders in the transfer of knowledge or technology from the academic to the business environment. The roundtable will be followed by a world café, where the members of the roundtable, together with an informed audience, will look for possible solutions to some of the complications in knowledge transfer and highlight existing examples of good practice. The cross-fertilization activities are prepared and organized by the Development Center, Novo mesto.
The cross-fertilization will be followed by a visit to the Rudolfovo Science and Technology Center, followed by training in the preparation of new projects, which will be organized and implemented by the Faculty of Information Studies Novo mesto.
Written by Janez Gorenc (DCNM)