why we do it

The institutional mandate of ICS is to promote the transfer of knowledge and high technology to developing countries and countries in economic transition, in order to contribute to an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable industrial development.

ICS target beneficiaries are scientists and technologists from developing countries and countries in economic transition and, through them, the local industrial sector and therefore the economic and social development of their countries.

ICS aim to:

• develop and strengthen the scientific and technological capabilities of scientists and technologists, as well as of research and scientific institutions of developing countries and countries in economic transition for the utilization of applied science and high technology to support their sustainable industrial development
• promote and stimulate high-level research in applied science with the direct involvement of scientists/technologists of developing countries and countries in economic transition
• improve local knowledge infrastructure to stimulate human resources development enabling the professional growth of scientists and technologists of developing countries and countries in economic transition

The ICS programme represents the outcome of a continuous process that takes into account the evolving conditions and needs of developing countries and countries in economic transition, as well as the evolving scientific, technological, economic and environmental contexts. It reflects the new external conditions, that is the actual needs of developing countries: the challenges and threats of globalization, and new trends in science and high technology.

As a consequence, the ICS strategy to support its beneficiaries focuses increasingly on the transfer of science-based knowledge through the implementation of demand-tailored projects, programmes and related activities and aims to better respond to the specific needs of developing countries and countries in economic transition, in order to reflect the changes in the socio-economic, scientific, industrial and environmental contexts.