Abstract

Bridging the R&I divide within Europe
How to enhance the excellence and research infrastructure of WIDERA countries?

While the Horizon 2020 funding framework has produced great results and impact across Europe, its effectiveness to bridge the research&innovation divide between East and West is a more complicated question. This roundtable invites participants to reflect on the past developments (impact of Horizon 2020 on R&I capacity building in widening countries, targeted calls, imbalance of funding) and the potential of Horizon Europe to address the lingering issues and offer new opportunities for building convergence and a more even European Research Area.

Discussion questions:
• What type of positive and negative dynamics have you seen during Horizon 2020 (2014-2020) in the process of bridging the research and innovation divide in Europe?
• What are the unique opportunities for WIDERA countries to participate in Horizon Europe calls? (eg. specific WIDERA calls, region-specific knowledge production)
• What are the hindering factors for WIDERA countries to participate in Horizon Europe calls? (eg. brain drain, lack of infrastructure)
• Do you think the WIDERA calls have the potential to efficiently improve the research and innovation potential of WIDERA countries?