The RRPP was established with the aim to advance research in the social sciences in the Western Balkans countries Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. This partnership programme was created through a wide consultation process involving well‐respected researchers and research institutions from the region, Switzerland and other European countries. The RRPP operates through three inter‐related pillars:

1. Provision of research grants for projects that deal with issues related to the transition process in individual countries and in the region as a whole;
2. Provision of methodological colloquia and thematic trainings;
3. Enabling and strengthening regional interaction and cooperation.

Beneficiaries
Research institutions
Public, private or semi‐private universities and self‐standing research organisations that support regional integration and cooperation wanting to improve their structures and practices so as to conduct research equivalent to European scientific standards. Partner institutions benefit from the programme in terms of fostering their human resources, improving access to knowledge as well as to regional and international networks.

Individual researchers
The programme focuses on assistant/associate professors and MA or PhD students. To contribute to the reduction of the gender gap, the RRPP pays particular attention to include female researchers. Researchers are provided with unique opportunities to gradually enhance their research capacities in a programme that offers training, access to knowledge, individual mentoring, funding as well as regional and international networking.

Decision‐ and policymakers
Deans, chancellors and other representatives of relevant institutions are involved in consultations and cooperation at a strategic level. They can also benefit from assessments, reports and research results produced within the RRPP framework.

Participation in the programme
Following a call for research project idea proposals researchers from the targeted countries can submit applications. These are evaluated by the RRPP Scientific Board according to specific criteria and a general research topic that was previously defined in consultation with researchers from the countries in question. The applicants with successful proposals are invited to submit a detailed project application, integrating recommendations and comments given by the Scientific Board. The Scientific Board examines the revised version, and upon its recommendation, the Steering Board takes the final decision on whether or not to fund the applications for research projects. The entire evaluation process lasts roughly five months. 

Financial resources
The overall annual RRPP budget is approximately 1 million Swiss Francs. The largest portion is disbursed to finance research projects and trainings. Research grants for one year amount to 25.000 Swiss Francs for projects focusing on one country and 100.000 Swiss Francs for regional projects focusing on at least two countries. Partners in the programme are expected to provide matching funds, be it in‐kind or by financial means, to the research or other components of the programme.

Timeframe
The RRPP implementation phase lasts from July 2008 to June 2011. The programme started in Bosnia & Herzegovina and Macedonia, while all countries of the region should be included by 2011. The consolidation phase will start in 2011. At this point, the ownership of the programme should be transferred to the region.

Organisation
The University of Fribourg manages the programme, which is financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. The RRPP structure consists of a Scientific and a Steering Board, a Programme Management and Local Coordination Units. Experts from various areas contribute to the programme on a regular basis as mentors, consultants or training providers.

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© 2008 University of Fribourg / Interfaculty Institute for Central and Eastern Europe (IICEE)

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