ABOUT PROJECT
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The project REinforcing S&T CApacities of two emerging research centers for natural and industrial pollutant materials in Serbia and Slovenia (RESTCA) is part of Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) of the European Commission. Under the moto: ‘Tomorrow’s answers start today’, FP7 is the EU's main instrument for funding research in Europe.
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ID of RESTCA:
WHAT is planned to be done during the project,
by WHOM, HOW, WHEN and by WHICH FUNDS?
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RESTCA is aimed at reinforcing the scientific and  technological standards of two promising research centers which have a great potential for study of natural and industrial solid pollutants:  University of Belgrade - Faculty of Mining and Geology, Serbia (UB-FMG) and Department of Geochemistry and Environmental Geology, Geological Survey of Slovenia (GeoZS). These institutions will establish a strategic partnership among each other and with the Institute of Geosciences, Division of Mineralogy, University of Frankfurt, Germany (GUF).
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The Project Idea
is based on the fact that the enlargement of European Research Area (ERA) is best to achieve by identification and strategic support of promising centers within the EU peripheral regions. The project targets one of the EU priorities by recognizing that the regions of convergence have a great scientific potential but need specific reinforcements to be appropriately integrated into ERA. In such a way, RESTCA aims at supporting clusters of excellence in the WB region in their efforts to cultivate a synergy of basic and applied science in which the environmental problems will be strongly focused.

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The major project objectives are: (i) strengthening the international co-operation networking and partnership between the UB-FMG, GUF and GeoZS and setting-up a brain-gain environment, (ii) improving material research standards at the UB-FMG by renewal and upgrade of the facilities, (iii) exploiting the research and technological demonstration results of the GeoZS and UB-FMG and promoting them to national/regional centers of excellence, (iv) networking among the institutions from the European region of convergence and Western Balkan, (v) promoting the ideas of the EU 7th Framework Program, and (vi) counterbalancing the effects of ’brain drain’ in Serbia.

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The Up-Bottom Approach

of the project is evident because RESTCA follows the research priority of FP7 related to industrial wastes. A vast majority of industrial waste in Serbia and adjacent regions is related to the processes of mining and energy production. For instance, only at the tailings near Bor and Krivelj cooper mines there are around 120.000.000 tons of mining waste material. The investigation of such waste material is closely related to an understanding of the general geological framework, paragenesis, crystal structure and composition of ore minerals and other pollutant material, as well as their behavior under various geochemical conditions. The formation of a network of laboratories for microanalytical studies of various natural and industrial solid materials would ensure that the UB-FMG is one of the few institutions with such capabilities

 

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The Expected Impacts

will be evident through generation a real scientificprogress in the targeted research centers in Serbia and Slovenia without creating strong dependence. This is a step forward in harmonizing the scientific system in EU and in setting-up research-intensive clusters across Europe. Various positive impacts will be measurable during and after the project implementation, such as: a) a general improvement of scientific research in Serbia in terms of human and technical capacities, b) counterbalancing the ‘brain-drain’ process, c) establishing synergy between the research groups dealing with fundamental science and those predominantly engaged in applied disciplines, and d) increased student interest for earth and environmental sciences.

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Earth Sciences for Society

RESTCA started in May 2008, and this year was proclaimed by the United Nations as the UN Year of Planet Earth. Actually, 2008 is the core year of the 2007.2009 triennium during which the International Year of Planet Earth (Earth Science for Society) will operate (www.yearofplanetearth.org). RESTCA fully targets the main priorities of this UN activities because it is aimed at demonstrating the great potential of the Earth sciences in the building of a safer, healthier and wealthier Society and at encouraging Society to apply this potential more effectively.

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