On 18 February 2021, HERAS Plus in close cooperation with Ministry of Education and Science (MES) continues its support towards an improved structural integration of Kosovo in Horizon Europe through an adjusted National Contact Points (NCP) system, a deliberate decision on the association of Kosovo to Horizon Europe and access facilitation of Kosovan researchers to European R&I programs.

The project was honoured with the presence of colleagues from Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Ms. Sandra Horina and Ms. Albulena Zaimi as well as the Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mr. Xhavit Rexhaj.

Ms. Sandra Horina, expressed the appreciation of ADA for the excellent cooperation of MES with HERAS Plus. She stressed that the event is happening in a crucial timeline for developments concerning Horizon Europe schemes, programs, and calls and that HERAS Plus will continue its support for the upcoming processes to ensure that the NCP system is adjusted and well-trained to deliver to the expected roles in disseminating information and supporting identified initiatives through the established mechanisms in NCP. 

Mr. Xhavit Rexhaj addressed participants with the MES priorities in research & development and MES plans regarding future Horizon Europe endeavours and current progress in this regard.

From different perspectives, the event was used to i) highlight the Austrian/ADA support for the sector of Higher Education and Research in Kosovo along the principles of the European Higher Education Area, ii) to present the priorities of the MES in the field of research & development and plans of MES in regard to future Horizon Europe endeavours and last but not the least, iii) to present the input paper related to Horizon Europe Program and the integration of towards the Kosovo to Horizon Europe.

Mr. Gorazd Weiss from our Consortium member ZSI delivered a detailed presentation on the Horizon Europe Program, structure and related procedures, and the implications for the NCP of the expected new Program as well as the process and benefits from potential Association of Kosovo to Horizon Europe.

The Team Leader, Mr. Aqim Emurli stated that the HERAS Plus project ultimately contributes to the well-functioning of Higher Education and Research in Kosovo with the long-term objective to support the socio-economic development of the country and to this end, support for the Kosovo’s association to Horizon Europe is crucial.

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On 10 February 2021, the first Steering Board (SB) meeting was conducted successfully via online platforms.

The project Team Leader Aqim Emurli offered an overall presentation of the progress of the project implementation, in the presence of SB members: Austrian Development Agency, Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kosovo and Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research as well as in the presence of the consortium members.

The representatives of the consortium members WUS AT, ZSI and OeAD also addressed this meeting. They updated on the achievements, challenges and possibilities throughout the project implementation, including here the pandemic situation and its impact on the project. 

The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kosovo, represented by Ms. Shpresa Mehmeti, informed on the latest political developments and the successful impact of the project within the Ministry.

The meeting was chaired by the Austrian Development Agency.

In the end, the project team received clearance and advices to continue on the same path in the upcoming period. .