The European Commission is trying to strengthen the scientific and technological co-operation with the Eastern Europe and Central Asia countries, aiming firstly to restore and reinforce their research capacity and secondly to integrate them in the European Research Area. The 7th Framework Programme (FP7) comprises one of the main instruments that are exploited towards this direction, as international cooperation represents an important dimension of it. FP7 offers a number of opportunities for the participation of EECA countries. However, in order to make use of these possibilities the research communities of the region have first to become aware of the new opportunities that exist and secondly to be advised on how to take part actively. Europe's awareness about ICT research experience, possibilities and potential of EECA countries is equally important for the success of this endeavour.

The EECA ICT Cluster, capitalizing on its network of ICT stakeholders and its knowledge of the region, outlines 16 Success stories of EU-EECA collaboration proving that the seeds exist to realize even more ambitious targets.