Under the support of the IncoNet Central Asia project, energy experts (in the fields of solar technology, photovoltaic, heating and cooling, ecological building material, etc.) from Central Asia participated at the Energy Days Graz event, an international Energy Efficiency brokerage event. On 13 January RCISD provided H2020 training back-to-back with the brokerage event for the experts from Central Asia.

The Energy Days Graz took place at the Häuslbauermesse, Grazer Stadthalle. The Häuslbauermesse Graz is a regional fair which is well known in Austria and its neighbouring countries. This fair attracts approximately 400 exhibitors and 40,000 international visitors every year.

 On 13 January RCISD provided H2020 training back-to-back with the brokerage event for the experts from Central Asia, Arslanbek Omurzakov, The National Institute for Strategic Studies, Kyrgyzstan; Nurlan S. Tokmoldin, Head of Yu.V.Gorelkinskiy Laboratory for ESR Spectroscopy, Institute of Physics and Technology, Kazakhstan; Sirojiddin Mirzaev, Ion-plasma and laser technologies institute Academy of sciences of Uzbekistan; Sabur Abdullaev, S.U.Umarov Physical-Technical institute Academy of Sciences of Republic of Tajikistan Atmospheric Physics Laboratory. During the workshop the following topics were introduced:

–          General indications and advice of proposal writing,

–          H2020: The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation

–          Preparation of the proposal

–          Submission process of a project proposal illustrated on EC H2020 Participant Portal and a project proposal template

–          New Work Programmes 2016-2017 on SC3-Secure, Clean and Energy Efficiency and SC5-Climate Action, Environment

According to the feedback from Central Asia experts participating in a previous similar training that took place in Amsterdam (Aquamatch; Nov. 2015), the training also included some other relevant topics and advices, such as  how to find the best partners, how proposals are evaluated and the common problems in proposal writing.

The training closed with a ‘questions and answers’ and discussion session.

On 14 January morning, the CA researchers participated in the Renewable Energy R&D Roundtable organised by Enterprise Europe Network, Eco World Styria and SFG (Styrian Business Promotion Agency). All the participants from Central Asia and Austria introduced their institutions, the specific topic that they are interested in and projects which they are looking for potential partners in 5 minutes elevator speeches. After the presentations, CA partners discussed the possibilities for co-operation in bilateral talks with experts from Austrian, such as, FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Science, Bioenergy 2020+, Joanneum Research RESOURCES – Institute for water, energy and sustainability.

On 14 January afternoon the CA researchers had the opportunity to share knowledge with more than 4000 international exhibitors, visitors and experts during the fair and expand their international energy network, find partners for cooperation and built partnerships for future international funding calls (e.g. H2020) during 30 minutes meetings. They had bilateral talks with about 6 European counterparts on average. In addition, thanks to the scheduled face-to-face talks, Central Asia researchers had also the chance to initiate less formal talks with 103 registered participants from 20 different countries. They managed to establish contacts with the following organisations: ASIO, spol. s r.o., (Czech Republic), CEH Planning Developing Consulting Inc. (Hungary),  Elektro-energetika projekt d.o.o. (Croaita), EUC Energie- und Umweltconsulting DI. Gerfried Cebrat e.U. (Austria), FH JOANNEUM, University of applied sciences (Austria), Institute of Physics Polish Academy of Sciences (Poland), TU Wien Continuing Education Center (Austria) as well as other innovative companies, universities and consulting organisations.

Based on the follow-up reports of the CA participants, the events provided the scientists with valuable networking opportunities for future EU-CA collaboration.