Peer Review of the Moldovan Research and Innovation System

Transcription

1 Peer Review of the Moldovan Research and Innovation System under the Horizon 2020 Policy Support Facility Preliminary key findings 30 th meeting of the European Research Area and Innovation Committee (ERAC) Brussels, 22 nd April 2016

2 PSF Peer review s context PSF Peer Review aimed at assisting and advising Moldova on R&I policy reforms Strong commitment from the Moldovan authorities to support this exercise and follow-up with concrete reforms Organized at the demand of the Moldovan Academy of Sciences to feed into: The revision of the Code of Science and Innovation The preparation of the ERA national action plan Complex political, economic and social situation during Peer Review period

3 Four + focus areas Four focus areas defined by the Moldovan authorities: Increasing the efficiency of public R&I funding and the quality of the R&I performing bodies and instruments Improving the policies for human resources and mobility of researchers Boosting business innovativeness and science-business links Increasing R&I impact by properly defining the policy instruments Governance recognized as overarching issue by the panel and all interviewed stakeholders

4 PSF Peer review s process (1) PSF methodology based on 3-step (design and preparation, in-depth analysis and peer review sessions, reporting phase) Implemented by 5 independent experts from AT, GR, NL, PL, RO and 2 peer reviewers (policy makers) from AT, EE EC support to PSF panel (facilitation, coordination, "infrastructural" support) Extensive collection of evidence and implementation phase based on the MD self assessment, background report, analysis of several national strategies and legal acts

5 PSF Peer review s process (2) Interviews crucial for building complete picture of system - tens of meetings with 100s of stakeholders during 2 country visits Report (under finalisation!) including key findings, a set of crosscutting Policy Messages supported by number of detailed recommendations and best practice case studies from peers and experts Extensive consultations with Moldovan authorities to fine-tune the recommendations and feed into the current revision of the Moldovan R&I system Feedback mission foreseen for May 2016

6 National context Small country with 4 million population Lowest GDP per capita in Europe in 14 with $ 2,234; for comparison - RO $ 9,997 Economic activity concentrated in Chisinau 50% of GDP Small breakaway region Transnistria with 0.5M population High emigration EU biggest trade partner: EU 46.4%, Russia 21.9% and Ukraine 11.8% Successes in rapprochement to EU in 2014 (EU-Moldova association agreement, Visa free travel, Association to FP7 and

7 National R & I landscape Tradition of Education & Science System seriously downgraded: Human capital from in 90 to in 14 GERD from 0.55% in 07 to 0.35% in 14 Dominant role of the Academy of Sciences vs. weak research activity of universities and sector institutes Very weak links to private sector and to societal needs Wide commitment for reform Enthusiasm of young researchers However success in attracting funds from the Association to FP7 and H2020

8 Guiding principles not create a risk of diminishing the human and capital potential of the Moldovan R&I system efficiency of public expenditures in focus lean and simple administrative structures and procedures effective financial instruments promote only science which is excellent or relevant to scientific, social or economic priorities transparency in all procedures is a must, especially in terms of evaluation of proposals and institutions promotion of an evaluation culture, involving foreign experts, should be at the heart of the reform

9 7 Challenges and options R&I, economy and society Challenges: R&I in the policy mix, policy strategies, links of R&I with economy and social needs, thematic prioritisation Options: review of existing strategic documents, SMART goals with implementation and monitoring mechanisms, public perception of R&I by bringing society closer to research R&I governance Challenges: now delegated to ASM (policy maker, founder and beneficiary) Options: a Ministerial responsibility for R&I policy making and strategy(?), role of Interministerial R&I Council

10 7 Challenges and options Competitive funding Challenges: budget managed mostly by ASM but ministries have own schemes, operating costs, increase of competitive calls, statistical data Options: independent agency, increase share of competitive funding, limited set of priorities, improve statistics Research performers Challenge: most of research capacity related to the ASM, weak R&I activity of universities, teaching-research duties Options: incentives for stronger institutes universities cooperation, systematic evaluation, safeguarding capacities

11 7 Challenges and options Researchers Challenge: research community shrinking and ageing, brain-drain, careers not attractive enough for young researchers Options: early identification of talents, high-quality PhD programs, salaries, recruitment procedures Innovation activities Challenge: few innovative companies, low BERD, migration of qualified personnel, economic relevance of results, lack of public private cooperation Options: remove accreditation, bonuses for business in research projects, stakeholders in HEI/ PRO Boards and Agency, business-driven schemes, Sufficient R&I funding to support reforms

12 Lessons learnt Moldova kept up a functioning educational & research system despite transformation problems Unique role of the ASM in preserving research capacity and consolidating infrastructure R&I system is still in a difficult situation (low funding, ageing of R&D personnel, etc.) Need for a wise increase and efficient use of resources Need for clear and simple structures in

13 Lessons learnt But Things are moving and there is strong willingness to reform: successes in R&I EU cooperation strategy development, with the use of foresight and external expertise reviews of the research and innovation system (2012 & 2015/16) steps to make research funding more independent from policy making links to diaspora: evaluation, joint projects current cooperation between ASM and Ministries on planned reforms of the R&I system

14 Last but not least The Council Conclusions on the Republic of Moldova, 15 February 2016, called to: prioritise reforms aimed at addressing the politicisation of state institutions, systemic corruption, public administration reform aimed inter alia at enhancing the effectiveness of regulatory bodies, transparency and accountability in the management of public finances as well as with regard to policy making Thank you! on behalf of the Panel Krzysztof Gulda