Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Nunu Mitskevich held a working meeting with the local representatives of the EU Research and Innovation Framework Program "Horizon 2020", which is coordinated by the Ministry.

During the meeting, Horizon 2020 officials, informed the the Deputy Minister on their ongoing activities in order to facilitate participation of Georgian representatives in the program.

Nunu Mitskevichi pointed out that 2020 is the last year of the Horizon 2020 program. Accordingly, the Ministry plans to meet with the Horizon Europe meet with the requirements of its next project. According to the Deputy Minister, mechanisms should be established that will significantly improve the success rate of participation of Georgian universities and research institutions.

According to Nunu Mitskevichi, besides an active dissemination of information regarding the EU’s framework program, it is of utmost important for the grant mechanisms to be permanently established, to facilitate interested groups and researches prepare for the application process. 

Moreover, Georgian Horizon 2020 program contactees shared their experience and vision with the Deputy Minister. They also expressed readiness to engage in the process of establishing support mechanisms.

The parties also agreed on the format of subsequent meetings. The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of inter-disciplinary discussions and opinions between the Ministry and the Georgian scientific community in the process of planning and conducting science policy.