Slovenia, currently holding the presidency of the European Union, is a key proponent of the integration of the Western Balkan countries to the European Research Area (ERA). This integration depends greatly on the modernisation and renewal of R&D infrastructure, one of the most urgent needs of all the Western Balkan countries. Along with the Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, our intention is to attract the attention of interested donors from the EU, other developed European countries and international organisations to the most urgent infrastructural needs in the WBC.
The infrastructural needs of the WBC science and research institutions have been identified by SEE-ERA.NET Steering board members from the WBC. A new internet platform (www.investsciencesee.info/infrastructure.html) has been created in order to advertise the award, describe the procedures, highlight particular infrastructural needs (based on the list received from the WBC) and provide a link to the SEE-ERA.NET website. The website has a market place character, which allows potential donors to choose the particular institutions from the WBC to which they want to donate. To aid in their decision-making, they are encouraged to consider the potential of each WBC institution, based on such measures as its curricula and work programmes. Since January 2008, a special online form, along with other relevant information, has been available from the SEE-ERA.NET homepage, which should be completed by donors and recipients if they want to apply for the award.

If possible, the value of donated equipment should be around €20,000 or more to be considered for an award. Donors and recipients (science and research institutions from the WBC) will agree on transport and installation of the donated equipment among themselves.

As regards the character of the award (Who and what will be awarded?),we propose to provide an award to the top three donors in the form of a gift. This decision is based on the award selection criteria, which are:

• VALUE OF DONATION
• PARTNERSHIP APPROACH
• IMPACT OF THE DONATION

Project tasks are implemented by the subcontractor, Austrian Science and Research Liaison Office in (ASO) Ljubljana (contract by Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technolgy of Republic of Slovenia).