"The aim of NORDERA is to support the coordination of national research programmes and encourage joint programming. By studying the experiences of the Nordic region in this field, the project will seek to identify best practice on research programme coordination and assess how the lessons learnt can be of value for the further development of the European Research Area (ERA) as well as the Nordic Research and Innovation Area (NORIA) as an integral part of ERA. In particular, NORDERA aims to contribute to the Ljubljana process and the five initiatives launched by the Commission following the debate on the ERA Green Paper. Accordinlgy, the following specific objectives will direct the NORDERA project: 1. Produce an analysis of existing weaknesses as well as best practice regarding coordination in research and innovation in the Nordic region, formalised through the Nordic Council of Minsters structure. 2. Produce an analysis of existing weaknesses as well as best practice regarding coordination in research and innovation as expressed through more ‘non-formalised’ bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation between national research and innovation agencies/councils in the Nordic countries. 3. Based on 1 and 2, benchmark with and analyse existing European research coordination initiatives with a view to proposing concrete recommendations on how the Nordic experiences can serve to encourage the further development of ERA. Equally, the analysis will look into how lessons learnt can be of value for the further development of NORIA 4. Ensure that that project findings are integrated into the continued process of developing ERA through the organisation of a large-scale conference. Additionally, partners will explore the possibility of setting up a permanent strategic forum intended to function as a discussion arena for stakeholders on the further development of ERA."