Kick of meeting EAST HORIZON and EECA-2-HORIZON projects Greece, on 20-21 February 2014

Kick of meeting EAST HORIZON and EECA-2-HORIZON projects Greece, on 20-21 February 2014 Kick of meeting EAST HORIZON and EECA-2-HORIZON projects Greece, on 20-21 February 2014
Dr. Tofig Babayev, Director of R.I.T.A. ICT NCP Azerbaijan and representatives of R.I.T.A. Khalida Melikova and Sevinj Babayeva took part in the joint Kick-off Meeting of the two EU funded ICT projects took place in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 20-21 February 2014. 
The two projects are: "Fostering Dialogue and Cooperation between the EU and EECA in the HORIZON 2020 perspective - EAST-HORIZON”, bringing together 14 countries, including 3 EU (Greece-2?? and Italy) and 11 EECA countries (Azerbaijan represented by R.I.T.A.); and "Bringing the EU-EECA cooperation and policy dialogue in ICT in the HORIZON 2020 era – EECA-2-HORIZON", bringing together 10 countries, including 2 EU (France and Germany) and 8 EECA countries (Azerbaijan represented by R.I.T.A.).
These projects make a logical follow-up of the previous FP7 ICT projects, which have been implemented since 2009 (currently one project is at the final phase), namely: EXTEND, SCUBE-ICT, ISTOK-SOYUZ and PICTURE.
The projects are support actions in international cooperation targeting EECA countries. They will inspire ideas and influence policies to help so the dialogue between the EU and the EECA leading to the best possible benefits for both sides and in parallel will support the organisations from the two sides to prepare successful proposals for joint projects, the tangible result of a successful cooperation.
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InfoDay on Horizon2020 at the Azerbaijan State Economic University

InfoDay on Horizon2020 at the Azerbaijan State Economic University On 14 February 2014, R.I.T.A. held an InfoDay devoted to Horizon2020 at the Azerbaijan State Economic University.
Dr. T. Babayev, Director of R.I.T.A., ICT NCP Azerbaijan, made a presentation on Horizon2020. In the first part of the presentation, information was given on the history and aims of EU framework programs from 1984 to the present. The second part of the presentation was devoted to detailed information on Horizon2020, its structure, main areas and topics. The third part dealt with the participation in the program: search and selection of subjects, preparation of project proposals, evaluation of submitted project proposals, etc.
In particular, an example was given of project proposal preparation by the representative of the Azerbaijan State Economic University Dr. A. Huseynov with the assistance of R.I.T.A. for ICT2013 event in Vinius in the section Social Challenges of Horizon202.
Dr. Babayev answered many questions of the InfoDay participants.
The participants filled in participant’s application forms and were invited to the two days’ twinning/mentoring event on Horizon2020 with participation of EU experts planned for 9-10 April 2014.
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IDEALIST2014 Training on Societal Challenges and FET

IDEALIST2014 Training on Societal Challenges and FET Dr. Tofig Babayev, Director of R.I.T.A. ICT NCP Azerbaijan, participated in the Idealist2014 Training on Societal Challenges and FET held in Pisa, Italy, on 29-30 January 2014. At the two days’ training, representative of the EU DG CONNECT delivered their reports on the first CALLs Societal Challenges and FET. The second day of the event was devoted to COFET conference. 
FET2020 brings together researchers, business people and other experts around themes of interest to the FET community to provide a strategic input to the FET programme in Horizon 2020. The event mainly focused on the role, purpose and value of outreach activities for FET programme and FET projects.
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EU HORIZON 2020 presentation

EU HORIZON 2020 presentation An Information Day was held on the new EU HORIZON 2020 Framework Programme, a continuation of the EU FP7, on 17 January 2014 in the small conference hall of the Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. 
Over 60 researchers from the institutes of ANAS, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Relations, Education, Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Azerbaijan, and representatives of the relevant departments of other ministries.
The InfoDay was opened by the welcoming remarks of Head of Foreign Relations Department of ANAS Dr. Gulam Babayev.
The presenter, Head of Foreign Relations and Innovations Department of the Cybernetics Institute, NCP ICT of the Framework Programme in Azerbaijan, Director of R.I.T.A. Dr. Tofig Babayev made a comprehensive and informative presentation of the EU HORIZON 2020 Framework Programme.
At the event information about EU and EECA collaboration projects which R.I.T.A. participates in was given as well. Dr. Tofig Babayev told about PICTURE projects main objectives, Work Groups and national experts’ participation in WG. Leaflets on Picture projects had been disseminated.
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Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020)

Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020) Horizon 2020 is the financial instrument implementing the Innovation Union, a Europe 2020 flagship initiative aimed at securing Europe's global competitiveness.
Seen as a means to drive economic growth and create jobs, Horizon 2020 has the political backing of Europe’s leaders and the Members of the European Parliament. They agreed that research is an investment in our future and so put it at the heart of the EU’s blueprint for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs.
By coupling research and innovation, Horizon 2020 is helping to achieve this with its emphasis on excellent science, industrial leadership and tackling societal challenges. The goal is to ensure Europe produces world-class science, removes barriers to innovation and makes it easier for the public and private sectors to work together in delivering innovation.
Horizon 2020 is open to everyone, with a simple structure that reduces red tape and time so participants can focus on what is really important. This approach makes sure new projects get off the ground quickly – and achieve results faster.
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Representatives of Azerbaijan research institutions took part in ICT2013 Event in Vilnius on 6-8 November 2013

Representatives of Azerbaijan research institutions took part in ICT2013 Event in Vilnius on 6-8 November 2013 They attended exhibition and networking meetings, including brokerage event organized in the framework of IDEALIST 2014 project. For participation in Face-2-face meetings 15 research groups from different organizations prepared and submitted 23 innovative project proposals. Proposals evoked great interest of foreign scientists and experts attending the Event. So 43 face-2-face meetings were organized with participation of members of Azerbaijan delegation. Meetings laid down the foundation of further cooperation and joint researches.
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