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Challenge 1a: An enlarging and diverse Europe
I. Andrei, ESFRI delegate
A role for new Member States
On the 1st January 2007 Romania became a Member State of the EU. On February 27th 2007 the Romanian
Government adopted the National Strategy for R&D and Innovation (RDI) for 2007-2013. During the period
2007-2013, the development of the research infrastructure will take place in particular by associating large
experimental facilities with universities and public research institutes, in order to increase their contribution to
the development of human resources for research.
The development of experimental facilities will concentrate in those areas where the cooperation between the
research entities and the beneficiaries may be ensured. The potential for utilisation, the development of human
resources and complementarity with the existing facilities at the European level will also have to be considered.
P. Smith, leader of the Millennium Seed Bank Project, Kew Garden
Integrating European Diversity:
an example from the European Native Seed Conservation Network
Climate change models predict that up to 50% of Europe’s wild plant species will be vulnerable, and 60% of
alpine plant species may be extinct, by 2080. European seed banks currently hold only 35% of Europe’s wild plant
species, and these existing collections are limited in their quality and genetic representation. Seed collections
and associated germination protocols enable research and exploitation of plant genetic resources in agriculture,
horticulture, silviculture and habitat repair – all vital industries in the context of sustainability and human
adaptation to climate change. The European Native Seed Conservation Network (ENSCONET) is a network of
24 institutions in 17 countries, working together to develop best practice methodologies for the seed collection,
processing and data handling of Europe’s 12 500 wild plant species. Examples are given from this model. It is
essential that this type of network is broadened, and such activities are supported and expanded.
P. Davis, Marine Information Service MARIS, coordinator of the Black Sea Scene project
The special case of the neighbouring countries
Marine environmental management of regional seas requires multinational effort by all states bordering the
sea area in question, and can only be effective if there is appropriate overview of availability, high degree of
compatibility, accessibility and inter-changeability of scientific knowledge & expertise, as well as of quality
controlled marine environmental data & information. This can be realised by the development of a regional
research infrastructure with the involvement of leading institutes from all countries within the sea region.
The Black Sea SCENE project can be considered as a showcase for how neighbouring countries of the EU can
be fully involved within a pan-European regional research infrastructure and hereto connected with other
European networks.
