Leyla Arsan, the TAGES CEO, spoke at the ‘EU 7th Framework Programme Forum Turkey:National Opening Conference’ organized by The Scientific Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) in Ankara on February 12th and 13th, 2007. Arsan, underlined crucial points and guidelines for SMEs willing to take part in the EU 7th Framework Programme projects in her presentation titled ‘Experiences, Suggestions to SMEs’.
Arsan’s presentation is focused on ICT projects in the EU Framework Programmes explaining participation cycle to the 7th Framework Programme projects. The participation cycle to the 7th Framework Programme projects is composed of many pillars, as understanding EU ICT strategies, networking in the EU, understanding FP7 procedure, understanding FP6 projects, networking in Turkey and getting support, believing in ideas and modelling.
In order to understand the EU’s strategies in the ICT domain, Arsan indicated the importance of reading and studying the relevant documents published on the EU’s R&D web page Cordis. Arsan suggested getting in contact with the European Technology Platforms which define the strategic research agendas of the EU. Communication with the European Technology Platforms and participation to the information days and workshops organized in Europe are the most efficient way of networking in the EU. Arsan suggested registering to on-line sources and member lists on the FP7, such as Cordis and TUBITAK and following European and national magazines on the issue in order to get more familiar with the FP7 procedures.
Understanding the FP6 projects is equally important for those willing to participate to the FP7 projects. By following Cordis web site (http://cordis.europa.eu/ist/projects/projects.htm), you can get information on ongoing FP6 projects funded under the FP6, and by visiting IST Results web page
(http://istresults.cordis.europa.eu/index.cfm?section=home&tpl=home), you can be informed on completed FP6 projects and their results. Turkish SMEs interested in participating to the FP7 projects and willing to be well-informed on the FP7 are suggested to participate also to meetings, conferences and trainings organized by national institutions, such as TUBITAK, universities, NGOs and consultancy organizations.
Finally, in order to prepare and execute a successful project, confidence in your ideas is required. Once you have confidence in your project idea, you can find the right partners for your project, create an innovative and fruitful relation between your partners in order to define the necessary expertises, model the project idea, and finally prepare the project proposition document to be submitted to the European Commission.
You can read the full presentation by following the link below:
Leyla Arsan- Deneyimler, KOBİl’lere Öneriler (pdf)