Work package leader: NWO, The Netherlands
Participating partners: MEC, Spain

Objectives

• The aim of this Work Package is to ensure sustained transnational co-operation among the partners after the initial (EU-funded) period of BiodivERsA.

Task 1: Organising and administering Staff Training and Exchange Programme
Task leader: France – MEDD/IFB (5)

Specific Objectives:

• Develop and implement staff training and staff-exchange programmes among partners.
• Develop and implement common methods for benchmarking, monitoring evaluation and dissemination methods of projects based on results of WP2.
• Organise training workshops on best practices in biodiversity research (output of WP2) funding for responsible project officers at the partner organisations.
• Develop and implement staff exchange programmes among the partner organisations.

Task 2: Design and prepare a joint/common call
Task leader: Spain – MEC (14)

Specific Objectives:

• Assess the possibility of a common call for proposals among BiodivERsA members, selecting appropriate topics of mutual interest and establishing priorities.
• Summarise synergies and obstacles for the participation of BiodivERsA funding agencies in a common call for proposals.
• Draft a proposal for the mutual opening of national programmes on biodiversity, including the agencies involved in BiodivERsA.
• Develop at least one common call (multiple partners) within the 4-year period, evaluating procedures and results.

Task 3: Towards sustained cooperation: development of strategy and activities
Task leader: Netherlands – NWO (10)

Specific Objectives:

• Establishment of a working group on sustained cooperation to explore possibilities and develop proposals for sustained cooperation beyond the initial (EU-funded) period.
• Organisation of a workshop of Biodiversity Programme Managers (BPM) to identify and discuss objectives, criteria and opportunities for sustained cooperation.
• Feasibility study on alternatives for sustained transnational cooperation, including options for a formalised structure and sustained funding incl. Article 169.
• Development of a work plan for an ERA in Biodiversity Research, incl. a joint strategy.
• Organisation of a conference for Programme Directors (director level) and representatives from stakeholder groups in biodiversity research to approve the common work plan towards formalised transnational cooperation in an ERA in Biodiversity Research (towards FP7 and beyond).
• Implementation of the work plan, development of joint structure.