On 13th June 2018, more than 20 members of Priority Area 7 Steering Group gathered in Bratislava on the 15th PA7 SG Meeting. The Priority Area 7 “To develop the Knowledge Society (research, education and ICT)” is focused mainly on the support of the development of research capacities. During the meeting, the participants have discussed the results and impacts of realized activities, the process of revising the current EUSDR Action Plan, but also the process of the simplification and rationalisation of PA7.

Within given meeting, Mr. Daniel Ács, the representative of the Union of Slovak Clusters, the project partner of Made in Danube, promoted the goals and activities of the project, whereby the synergies between the activities of Priority Area 7 and Made in Danube were promoted, too.

In addition, the synergies between the projects of INTERREG Danube Transnational Programme were created too. To specify, the representatives of Made in Danube project and EcoInn Danube have discussed common objectives, the results and outputs of both projects, and also the possible future cooperation and coordination of events. Mr. Daniel Ács, the president of the Union of Slovak Clusters and the member of Pole 1 “Innovative Ecosystems for SMEs” presented on behalf of Mrs. Daniela Chiran, the representative of Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum & Steinbeis 2i and the coordinator of Pole 1. 

The topic Pole 1 “Innovative Ecosystems for SMEs” working together with Priority Area 8 “Competitiveness”. The objective of the Pole 1 is to fill the knowledge gaps by linking the actors with complementary thematic experiences and specialization and to foster collaborative innovation processes between the project partners, their stakeholders and target groups.

The presentations and discussions during the whole meeting helped to inform the participants about the current and upcoming possibilities, but also to generate ideas how to improve the activities conducted within PA7.