Deeply revered ‘Türkiye in Horizon 2020 Phase II Technical Assistance Project has come to the end

After finding a very special space in Turkish Research & Innovation area, ‘Türkiye in Horizon 2020 Phase II Project (TH2020 II)’ implemented by International Development Ireland (IDI) was dedicated to strengthening the capacity of Türkiye in Science, Technology, and Innovation through supporting the integration of the Turkish Research Area into the European Research Area with a clear aim of intensifying the Turkish participation in Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe Programmes.

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This project, which commenced in January 2019 with a total final budget of €4.6m, connected Turkish researchers and SMEs with their European counterparts. In conjunction with TüB?TAK Operation Coordination Unit and National Contact Points as project beneficiaries, we accommodated more than 180 events reaching out to 20,000 stakeholders which significantly returned to Türkiye’s advancement in Research, Development and Innovation, accelerating its alignment with the EU standards.

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Over 5 years, TH2020 II Project has been very attuned at making a significant impact on the Turkish research and SME ecosystem, providing valuable training opportunities to individuals and companies with a variety of training ranging from basic modules for the Horizon Europe newcomers to more advanced topics for seasoned researchers and SMEs. The project has truly catered to a diverse audience.

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The TH2020 II Project has proven to be more than just a Project; it has become a capstone for supporting meaningful connections and collaborations. With its outreach efforts, TH2020 II has successfully linked around 3,000 researchers from Türkiye with their counterparts in the European Union (EU). This networking achievement goes beyond mere interaction; it lays the groundwork for future collaborations and establishes significant ties between the Turkish research ecosystem and the broader European communities.

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Now that the Project has reached its timeline closure, IDI extends our heartfelt thanks to TüB?TAK Operation Coordination Unit and National Contact Points for their invaluable coordination and support throughout this journey. Farewells can be bittersweet, especially when it comes to projects like TH2020 II that have been brought together. As we move forward, let us carry with us the lessons learned, the connections forged, and the memories created during these remarkable 5 years.