BONUS NEWS
A "BONUS" for the Baltic - €100 million for new Joint Baltic Sea Research Programme
On October 29, 2009, the European Commission has adopted a
proposal on a Joint Baltic Sea Research
Programme ('BONUS-169'). The objective is to enhance the Baltic
Sea region research capacity to ensure a more sustainable
development of the region. The
Commission proposes to contribute € 50 million to a joint research investment
with eight EU Baltic Sea Member States (Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, Germany,
Latvia, Lithuania, Poland
and Sweden).
The € 100 million programme will provide a framework for the coordination of
their environmental research.
The Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potočnik, said: "The Baltic Sea is facing serious natural and man-made pressures. Research not only holds a key to address ecological and socio-economic challenges, it also creates a positive agenda for the Baltic Sea countries to work together. BONUS-169 is a concrete expression of the Baltic Sea Strategy to be adopted by the European Council and of the Commission's strategy for European research to meet societal challenges."
The sea and the coasts of the Baltic Sea are particularly affected by the combined and increasingly negative impact of pollution, climate change, acidification, overexploitation and biodiversity loss.
BONUS-169 will integrate the national research programmes and activities of the 8 Baltic Sea States into a single joint research programme, mainly focused on environmental research. The European Community will match the contribution of the Participating States up to a maximum of €50 million, from the 7th Framework Programme for Research. The combination of funds will create a critical mass in terms of capacity, expertise and resources and will stimulate structural changes in the Baltic Sea and related river basin and coastal zone research systems. This programme is helping Europe to respond more effectively to key challenges in the region in relation to environmental protection and sustainable development, tourism, aquaculture, food safety and maritime transport.
It will be implemented in two phases:
during the initial 2 years strategic phase, a Strategic Research Agenda and
implementation modalities should be defined. It would be followed by an
implementation phase of 5 years, during which at least three joint calls should
be launched.
The BONUS-169
programme is fully aligned with the objectives of the European Strategy for
Marine and Maritime Research and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. It
will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the revised Lisbon
Strategy by investing in knowledge for growth and jobs.
The Commission proposal will now be submitted to the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.
Background
This proposal is based on Art. 169 of the EC Treaty which provides for the participation of the Community in research programmes jointly undertaken by several Member States.
Contacts
Catherine Ray: +32 2 296 99 21 – mob.: +32 498 96 99 21 - catherine.ray@ec.europa.eu
Sophie Andersson: +32 2 295 02 08 – mob.: +32 498 95 02 08 - sophie.andersson@ec.europa.eu
