Mapping procedures, a foresight mechanism and other framework conditions to be taken up in the JPI

JPI Oceans seeks to make use of a broad range of tools to implement its actions, including national research funding, institutional investments, human resources, existing infrastructure, structural funds, networking, and research alliances. In a long-term perspective, different typologies of actions will probably be needed and have to be planned to address the strategic priorities, taking into account the feasibility, the impact and the time frames. Countries may therefore choose to fund new research or to participate through funding the coordination costs, use of infrastructure or creating open access to data or other forms of contributions considered useful in the joint action. In the variable geometry approach, to initiate an action, one Member country must take the lead and be supported by at least three others. When a country decides to lead an action, it should first draft a plan outlining the aims and objectives of the action and tangible steps needed to achieve them. This should bring together the identified stakeholders (producers and users of the knowledge) and include views on potential coordination, fit for purpose tools, and propose criteria for success. In this context, "Mapping procedures, a foresight mechanism and other framework conditions to be taken up in the JPI" is intended as a comprehensive support for the planning and implementation of joint actions. For this reason, a "toolkit" is provided via webpages with the aim to facilitate (though an easy navigation) but not to solve any possible case. The target audience is for experts, that is, personnel involved in those activities mainly related to cross-national programmes and projects. The toolkit is intended to increase the awareness on most of the instruments and to "guide and relax" the experts in their adoption, eventually reducing time scales to commitments.