WG Background
In April 2025, the UfM Regional Platform on Research and Innovation, led by EC DG RTD and the UfM Secretariat, launched the UfM thematic Working Groups on Research and Innovation. The implementation of the R&I Euro-Mediterranean cooperation is supported by the Service Delivery Team (SDT). Working Group (WG) 1 is co-chaired by Egypt and Italy and focuses on Mobility of Researchers and Capacity Building. WG 2 is co-chaired by Jordan and Spain and works on Open Data and Digital Tools.
WG Objectives
Bringing together public officials and experts from UfM member countries, each WG serves as a forum for discussion and action planning, to champion their respective topic in the region, facilitate exchange and support further efficient and effective collaboration. Results of this process will contribute to the upcoming Ministerial Declaration on Research and Innovation and particularly to its Action Plan. To achieve this, a sequence of WG meetings is organised virtually and in presence, to jointly identify the challenges in the WG topic and discuss possible regional solutions and future developments. The meetings build on the active engagement of the co-chairs and member countries pre- and post-meeting, supported by the SDT.
GSF21 tasks and WG results
Among others, a mapping of existing regional R&I initiatives based on member countries’ contributions was conducted to lay an evidence-based groundwork for the thematic exchange. These intermediate results were discussed together in Brussels in October and then presented at the UfM R&I Platform Meeting. In the next step, each WG will use their insights to draft a policy brief and recommendations on how to advance the topic in the Euro-Med area. The policy brief will be presented at the upcoming UfM Ministerial in 2026.
For more updates on the UfM Working Groups, refer to the UfM Regional Platform on Research and Innovation.