The Regional Director for Science and Technology stated in Ponta Delgada that the organisation of a workshop on the FORWARD project in the Azores. With the aim of promoting participation in European funding programmes in innovation and research, the event represents a "further step" towards the consolidation of the Azorean presence in international projects.
 
"The holding of this meeting is a further step towards the affirmation of the Azores Scientific and Technological System, which will further consolidate the archipelago's presence in international projects. It brings together various regional stakeholders, both private and public, with the aim of leveraging the Region for the emergence of a Research&Innovation (R&I) agenda and optimising the access to Community funds," said Bruno Pacheco.
 
For the Regional Director, we intend that "the Azores reach levels of excellence and be part of the affirmation of Outermost Regions in international projects and networks, through the integration of regional stakeholders and the increased application of research to political decision."
 
The Regional Government, through the Regional Fund for Science and Technology (FRCT), organised this Monday the workshop designated as "FORWARD Plan: promoting participation in European funding programmes in the Innovation and Research ecosystem."
 
According to Bruno Pacheco, this meeting intended to "reflect on problems and solutions as well as to, prepare a proposal for joint action in the context of the FORWARD project under the Horizon 2020 framework programme. It will take into consideration the potentialities and needs of the Outermost Regions, anticipating the Horizon Europe for the 2021-2027 period in which the Azores will have active presence."
 
The Regional Director for European Affairs, Célia Azevedo, stressed at the opening of the workshop the importance of "this stage in the development of a structured action, which is intended to have multiplying effects in various economic sectors for the long term."
 
The FORWARD project stems as a response to an initiative of the European Commission under its Strategy for the Outermost Regions, involving partners from the nine EU Outermost Regions.
 
This project is being implemented in the Azores by the Regional Fund for Science and Technology in conjunction with the University of the Azores and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Azores. It will have an implementation period of 36 months and a budget of four million Euros.