The aim of the MSCAdvocacy project is to provide direct support to better align MSCA cooperation mechanisms of 20 key partner countries and 6 regions with the European Commission’s Global Approach to Research and Innovation. The project will become the strategic link between 1) the European Union’s external policy objectives, 2) bilateral and bi-regional S&T agreements with key partner countries and regions, 3) the corresponding R&I cooperation roadmaps and action plans, and 4) MSCA promotion in the field. With MSCA being the central international component of Horizon Europe (HE), its researcher mobility programmes directly contribute to the objective of the EC’s Global Approach such as strengthening commitment to international openness and fundamental values, rebalancing towards a level playing field and reciprocity, ensuring a free exchange of ideas and fostering research in key areas such as a green transition, the digital transition, global health, and innovation. However, in several key partner countries and regions MSCA do not seem to reach their full strategic potential in line with the objectives mentioned above. Hence, the project will do its part in supporting the strategic alignment of participation and cooperation mechanisms for MSCA to the priorities set on policy level. This will be achieved by 1) reviewing broader policy orientations and monitoring existing cooperation mechanisms with the target countries and regions relevant for MSCA; 2) conducting a Coordination and Support Mission to the targeted countries and regions in order to promote MSCA cooperation opportunities; 3) adressing analyses, reviews, and policy briefs to bilateral and bi-regional R&I policy dialogues; 4) and providing recommendations for long-term strategic promotion in MSCA consistent with EU R&I bilateral and bi-regional cooperation roadmaps and action plans.

The main objectives of SMARTWATER are: 1) to reinforce the networking, research and innovation capacities of the University of Banja Luka (UNI-BL), University of Sarajevo (UNSA) and other institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of sustainable agricultural water management; and 2) to increase their competences and fund-rising skills for a successful participation in the EU Research and Innovation Programs. The project will develop a large set of joint activities promoting networking, joint experimental fields, research cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and experts on specific topics, which are compatible with the overall national research strategy and include the application of smart technologies (cloud-based and remote sensing) in agricultural water management, optimization of water-energy-food nexus and climate change impact and adaptation measures. SMARTWATER foresees the publication of joint research documents in international conferences and peer-reviewed journals. The project will provide technical assistance and expertise to improve research and innovation capacities of BH institutions and delineate adequate national research strategies and policies for the future. The project will boost the S&T capacity through a series of capacity building actions focusing mainly on the early stage researchers. These include advanced training courses, participation in a joint MSc program, summer schools and hands-on workshops on R&I funding. A modern scientific strategy for stepping up and stimulating scientific excellence and innovation capacity will be outlined following a multi-stakeholder participatory approach. An effective communication and dissemination strategy for the adequate promotion of twinning activities and ensuring the expected impacts at regional, national, EU and global level will be adopted. The activities will be carried out in collaboration with three reputed EU international research partners (CIHEAM-IAMB, CSIC and ISA), and SME.

FOWARIM (Fostering Water-Agriculture Research and Innovation in Malta) objective is to strengthen the research capacity of the Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology (MCAST)’s Water Research and Training Centre in 4 crucial themes related to the field of water use in agriculture: (a) Decreasing Water Demand, (b) Making Use of Alternative Sources of Water (c) Renewable Desalinization, On-Farm Desalinization and Utilization of Saline Water and (d) Decreasing Negative Environmental Externalities Caused by Nutrient-Rich Farm Waters. This will be achieved by creating a favourable environment for capacity building targeting Maltese researchers, research institutions networking, research policy development. MCAST will be supported in addressing research deficiencies and networking gaps by EU partners of established scientific excellence in the targeted research topics. The proposal will develop over 3 years and is articulated into 5work packages, including one for management and coordination, involving: capacity building through several targeted and advanced training courses, short-term staff exchanges, summer schools and virtual training; research networking and knowledge sharing through providing technical assistance to establish new demonstration sites to promote innovations and best practices in agricultural water management, (iii) helping foster new collaborations through co-design of research questions, and (iv) developing a joint strategy for high impact research and dissemination; designing a research strategy and performing dissemination and outreach activities. This will lead to strengthening MCAST’s research and S&T capacity in water use in agriculture, enhance the dynamism between the different partners, extending the partnership of research Institutions in the sector in question contribute, to an increase in peer-reviewed publications and complement in more ways than one Malta’s Smart Specialization Strategy.