We want to promote our joint international cooperation programme - the Baltic Research Programme funded by EEA Grants - by sharing our best practices and experiences that this programme has given us.
WHAT MAKES OUR PROGRAMME UNIQUE? • It has attracted a huge interest and developed a new and direct collaboration between researchers in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Norway in a joint research programme. • It addresses common challenges of the Baltic region by promoting closer cooperation between the Baltics and facilitating cooperation with donor countries. • It is a significant incentive for researchers to gain new experience in leading large-scale international projects, as well as to expand collaboration and achieve new scientific results. • Researchers from all participating countries had the opportunity to network funded by the programme before preparing project applications. • 1 programme, but 3 open calls, launched by each of the Baltic States, which offers a unique opportunity to RMAs to work together. • One strategic decision-making body - a joint programme committee consisting of scientific experts from Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania.
WHAT DO WE LOVE IN OUR PROGRAMME? • The atmosphere of communication and collaboration between colleagues in the partner countries is effective, regular and inspiring. • The programme community could be portrayed as a friendly and helpful multicultural family that reflects creativity, knowledge sharing and enthusiasm. • Regular exchange of information, knowledge and experience and capacity building of those involved in project implementation and monitoring. • It is a great opportunity to support creative and diverse project teams that develop new research directions and promote international collaboration and the growth of researchers.
LESSONS LEARNT Challenge 1: Different practices and implementation provisions • The knowledge and experience gained, through solving challenges related to different approaches and regulatory frameworks, to create a programme on equal terms in all three Baltic States. • Consultations of research institutions on calls organized by other countries and their requirements, as well as advising PPs during the implementation phase. • Establishing of institutional framework of each country for the implementation of the programme. • Still room for improvement - simplify reporting and make the programme more researcher-friendly. Some national processes seem to hamper the progress. Challenge 2: Timely opening of the call for proposals • Time pressure to launch a call to allow for a more flexible time frame for project implementation. • No one can start preparing a programme too early. • Harmonization of documents is always more time consuming than one can expect. • Effective cooperation between other RMAs in participating countries is crucial. • Diversity of choices and solutions for IT systems used in different application and implementation phases. Challenge 3: Organizing international events and remotely if needed • Despite long experience in organizing information events and managing projects, it has nevertheless been possible to acquire new skills (eg organising a matchmaking event for more than 200 participants from different countries). • The pandemic situation led to organising the remote events and meetings, together with a challenge to make them as effective as the real ones. It has been possible only thanks to a motivated team. • Different implementation phases as well as planning of joint activities create a constant need for close collaboration between RMAs. Therefore, regular (online) meetings are vital to discuss current issues, share best practices and learn from each other's experiences.
