The third EPS–ICTP–UNESCO–SEENET-MTP Workshop, as a part of Project “Towards the integration of the physics community in CEI countries into the ERA” on Physics Education was held in Trieste on December 11-12, 2014.

1. CENTRAL EUROPEAN INITIATIVE
Marina Juricev
Towards the integration of the physics community in CEI countries into the ERA
Trieste, 11-12 December 2014

2.  A regional intergovernmental forum committed to supporting European integration
 25th Anniversary in 2014 (since 1989)
 18 Member States with a total population of over 250 million:
• 10 EU Member States
• 4 candidates (Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia)
• 1 potential candidate (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• 3 countries involved in European Neighbourhood Policy (Belarus, Moldova,
Ukraine)
 25th CEI Rotating Presidency (Austria 2014, Macedonia 2015)
 CEI Secretariat (Headquarters in Trieste, Italy)
Membership and Geopolitical context
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3.  Main EU Policies within CEI Area:
• Enlargement Policy (Western Balkans)
• European Neighbourhood Policy (Eastern Europe)
• Regional/Cohesion Policy
 Keen interest in EU Macro-regional strategies (overlapping membership and matching sectoral
priorities):
• EU Strategy for the Danube Region - EUSDR: 13 countries in common (out of 14)
• EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region - EUSAIR: 7 countries in common (out of 8)
• EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region - EUSBSR: 1 country in common, Poland (out of 8)
 Opportunity: CEI acting as a «bridge between macro-regions»
Membership and Geopolitical context
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4.  Main institutional mission: regional cooperation for European integration
 Not only a platform for political dialogue: specific methodology combining
multilateral diplomacy and project management (both as donor and
beneficiary)
 Support to multilateral dialogue enhanced by a strong project-oriented
approach (elaboration and project management)
Mission and
methodology
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5. CEI Plan of Action 2014-2016 negotiated and adopted by all 18 CEI MS at HoGs’ level
Strategic Objectives
 Support CEI Member States on their path towards European integration
 Promote the alignment of CEI Member States to EU standards
 Implement small and medium-sized projects
Measures
 Structural strengthening
 Reinforce institutional links with the EU and other international and
regional organisations
 Enhance CEI visibility and capitalisation on achievements
CEI Plan of Action 2014 – 2016 – Part I
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6. Areas of cooperation
 10 areas of cooperation, grouped into 3 main thematic pillars in line with the
Europe 2020 Strategy:
1. Towards a Knowledge-based society (Research and Innovation; Life-long
Education and Training; Information Society).
2. Towards a Sustainable Economy and Development (Transport, Logistics and
Accessibility; Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Climate, Environment
and Rural Development; SMEs and Business Development)
3. Towards an Inclusive Society (Intercultural Cooperation; Media; Civil Society).
 For each area: 2/3 priorities and 4/6 concrete actions agreed upon by the 18 CEI
Member States (to avoid dispersion of resources and enhance impact of activities).
CEI Plan of Action 2014 – 2016 – Part II
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7.  The CEI avails itself of:
1. Expertise in EU Project development and implementation both as Lead Partner
and Partner;
2. Financial instruments:
a) Cooperation Fund,
b) CEI Fund at the EBRD,
c) Know-how Exchange Programme.
Needed in order to reach the objectives outlined in the CEI Plan of Action 2014-2016
within the framework of the CEI Dimensions:
Governmental, Parliamentary, Business
CEI Expertise and Instruments
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8. The CEI is both donor (of its own limited resources mostly provided by Italy) and beneficiary (of EU
funds). It is also a promoter of transnational networks (networking):
Expertise and CEI Instruments
7
CEI
Donor
Cooperation Fund
CEI Fund at the EBRD
Know-how Exchange
Progranmme
Beneficiary EU Projects
Networking
Science and
Technology
Network
University
Network
Networks of Focal
Points
Other sectoral
networks

9. CEI Cooperation Fund
 With all Member States contribution, it supports seminars, workshops, conferences,
training courses and activities fostering, inter alia, the development of project
proposals to be submitted at EU level.
 Main objective: transnational mobility of participants
 Since its inception in 2002:
• about 857 activities co-financed
• with around €8 million and an overall value of about €52 million
• an estimated 5000 participants take part in the events every year
CEI Cooperation Fund
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10. CEI Fund at the EBRD
 Main objective: supports projects targeting the whole CEI Region.
 Managed by the Office for the CEI Fund at the EBRD and financed by Italy with
€38.5 million.
 The Fund provides grant-type technical assistance (prefeasibility and feasibility
studies, project implementation, management training, capacity building, and pre-
loan audits) in support of investments and operations of the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
 Since 1992:
• more than €23 million committed for 122 technical cooperation projects.
• mobilisation of €4.8 billion of international investments in the countries of
operations. For each euro provided by the CEI Fund, the EBRD and other financiers
have invested €215.
CEI Fund at the EBRD
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11. Know-how Exchange Programme
Main objective: provides grants for projects related to capacity building and transfer of
good practices from EU to non-EU CEI Member States.
Donors:
 Italy, through the CEI Fund at the EBRD, has since 2004 committed more than 2.1
million EUR for 75 projects;
 Austria, through the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) has, since
2007, contributed around 730.000 EUR for 26 projects with funds from the Austrian
Development Cooperation;
 Poland has contributed with 50.000 EUR to projects co-financed together with Italy.
Priority sectors: European integration, capacity building, agriculture, energy and
environment, SME development, infrastructure.
Know-how Exchange Programme
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12. EU Projects
 Main objective: enhance the involvement of CEI countries in EU projects focusing
on transnational and regional cooperation for European integration, based on the
priorities set by the CEI Plan of Action.
 14 projects implemented between 2004 and 2013
‒ Administered by CEI: €3.8 million
‒ Total fund mobilisation: €17 million
‒
 11 projects under implementation (out of which 2 as Lead Partner)
‒ Administered by CEI: €7.9 million
‒ Total fund mobilisation: €31.5 million

Main areas of intervention: transport, ICT, environment, energy, intercultural
cooperation, corporate social responsibility, regional cooperation, SMEs, research
and innovation.
EU Projects
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13.  Networking through science and education
• The CEI Science and Technology Network (S&TN) and the CEI University Network (UniNet)
are proven effective tools for promoting regional cooperation in the scientific and academic
fields.
• Contacts established over the years with renowned Centres of Excellence and universities
contribute to fostering mobility of scientists, professors and graduate/ postgraduate
students and to developing tangible programmes and projects.
 Network of Focal Points (institutional / sectoral)
 Other sectoral networks
 Results: since 2004, more than 180 activities, 60 fellowships and more than 1000
scholarships and grants for around 1800 participants, scientists and professors.
Networking
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14.  Fullfill objectives outlined in the CEI Plan of Action 2014 – 2016
 Strengthening of Organisation within its 3 main operational Dimensions:
1. Facilitate diplomatic relations (CEI as a multilateral platform and promotor of
transnational networking)
2. Finance bi- and multilateral projects through its own funds and instruments
3. Implement projects financed by other «donors», in particular by the European
Commission
Future prospects
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15. Thank you for your kind attention!