Ministry of Education, Culture and Research The Directorate for Research and Innovation Policies

Ministry of Education, Culture and Research The Directorate for Research and Innovation Policies

2015 2016: Peer Review - Evaluation exercise of the National Research and Innovation System of the Republic of Moldova (Horizon 2020 Policy Support Facility) 7 European experts 24 recommendations for improvement 7 policy messages

1. Incorporating research and innovation policy into the country's economic policies and strategies. 2. Improving the national management of the research and innovation system by strengthening political responsibility for the field with a dedicated ministerial responsibility. 3. Creating an independent, transparent and responsible Agency for the implementation of research and innovation policies. 4. Recovering the binary situation of the research and education systems in Moldova. 5. Safeguarding Moldova's public research and innovation capacities. 6. Taking firm measures to improve employment and wage opportunities, working conditions and career prospects for researchers, including talented young people and women. 7. Reviewing as a matter of urgency the framework for innovation by implementing a coherent set of policy measures to stimulate and support an attractiveness environment for business in research and innovation including non-financial instruments and abolishing the administrative barriers of accreditation.

Law no. 190 of 21.09.2017 for the amendment and completion of some legislative acts started the process of reforming the fields of research and innovation Government Decision no. 691 of 30.09.2017 on the organization and functioning of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research Code of Science and Innovation of the Republic of Moldova, approved by Law no. 259 of 15 July 2004 amended, which specifically stipulates in art. 27 the elaboration of the National Program in the field of Research and Innovation

(1) The National Program in the field of Research and Innovation (National Program) is the main policy document whereby the Government sets development priorities and objectives in the field of research and innovation for 4 years and ensures synchronization with the strategic development program of the country, the sectoral strategies and the research framework programs of the European Union. (2) The National program is elaborated by the central specialized body of the state, which ensures the elaboration of the national policy in the field of research and innovation and is approved by the Government. (3) The National program is implemented through institutional financing and through research and innovation projects that correspond to the strategic development priorities approved by the Government.

First draft of the National Program and the Action Plan 2019-2022 -elaborated within the MECR. to be consulted with a series of Working Groups according to the identified objectives, including the recommendations of the national experts, as well as the commitments of the Republic of Moldova reflected in the Government Decision no. 1472 of 30.12.2016 on the National Action Plan for the Implementation of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement between 2017-2019 the Government Decision no. 350 of 18.04.2018 on the approval of medium-term sectorial policy priorities (2019-2021)

August 2 2018, first meeting of the first WG of representatives of the research community from various areas of the national research and innovation system August 16 2018, second meeting of the WG of representatives from research institutes WG, consisting of representatives of central public authorities, academic environment and other interested structures (bodies) shall be further organized

September - the draft National Program and Action Plan will be submitted for public consultations September 10-14 TAIEX expert mission October - final public discussions November - both policy documents: the National Program in the field of Research and Innovation and the Action Plan for its implementation to be submitted for approval to the Government. January 1 2019 - the National Program and the Action Plan starts to be implemented

6 general objectives: 1. Improving governance and increasing the efficiency of the Research - Innovation system 2. The Competitive Human Potential engaged Driven in Research-Innovation in the Public and Private Sector 3. Infrastructure corresponding to international standards and open to business users 4. Research - Innovation for Enhancing Economic Competitiveness 5. Open Access to the Innovation for Society Research System - 6. Coherent policy of European and international cooperation

Specific objective 2 Identifying the niches of Smart Specialization of the Republic of Moldova for the promotion of excellence-based research in strategic areas with relevance and impact on society and the economy Actions: 2.1Conducting the Entrepreneurial Discovery exercise (with the participation of Quadriple Helix actors - research, entrepreneurship, governance and civil society)

2.2 Concentration of the resources allocated to applied research, innovation and technological transfer, on the identified priorities and niches; 2.3 Promoting an ongoing dialogue on research priorities (identification, evaluation, review) with key stakeholders; 2.4 Introducing a system of permanent monitoring of national and international scientific and technological trends; 2.5 Annual evaluation of project results implemented on the basis of identified niches of Smart Specialization; 2.6 Reorienting support tools to areas and priorities with potential and relevance to the economy and society.

Smart Specialization is one of the priorities of the National Program in the field of Research and Innovation commitment under the National Action Plan for the implementation of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement between 2017-2019, approved by the Government Decision no. 1472 of December 30, 2016

Smart Specialisation - strategic approach to economic development through targeted support to research and innovation Smart Specialisation involves a process of developing a vision, identifying competitive advantages through an entrepreneurial process of discovery, setting strategic priorities and making use of smart policies to maximise the knowledge-based development potential of region or country. Europe 2020 agenda sets out, through the 'Innovation Union' the flagship initiative, a comprehensive innovation strategy to enhance Europe's capacity to deliver smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Eastern Partnership - 20 Deliverables for 2020 Focusing on key priorities and tangible results [6]. Smart Specialisation has a strategic and central function within the new Cohesion Policy being a key vehicle for ensuring Cohesion Policy's contribution to the Europe 2020 jobs and growth agenda.

The EU has set out its vision for Europe's social market economy, which aims at confronting our structural weaknesses through progress in three mutually reinforcing priorities: smart growth, based on knowledge and innovation; sustainable growth, promoting a more resource efficient, greener and competitive economy; inclusive growth, fostering a high employment economy delivering economic, social and territorial cohesion.

Academy of Science 2017 lectures for the first and second year students and ASEM teachers - Developing Smart Specialization Strategies (S3) October 03-04 2017- Moldovan Business week, Ministry of Economy and Infrastucture and ODIMM. May 17-18, in Chisinau: Capacity Building on Research and Innovation Priority Mapping and Entrepreneurial Discovery Process for Smart Specialisation supported by TAIEX. Report on "Characterisation of preliminary priority areas for Smart Specialisation in Moldova.

The concept of Smart Specialization plays (has) a major role as: it links research and innovation with economic development in new ways such as the entrepreneurial process of discovery and the setting of priorities by policy makers in close cooperation with local actors. stimulates research and innovation at the regional level in less-developed EU regions and Member States. in the industrial transition of other regions. Industrial policy is innovation-oriented and focused on the economic impact of innovation activities in a specific industrial context.