The two primary objectives of the Centre are:

1) to promote, mobilise and network women in science in Central Europe, and thus to contribute to increasing gender equality in R&D and to structuring the European Research Area

2) to promote, mobilise and network young people in science in the region, and thus to address issued faced by young people in science, develop recommendations, provide a forum for exchange of experience and job searching in the region.

in more detail....

Specific objectives of the project are:

• By making actions to mobilise and network women scientists and increase their visibility and participation in national, European and international research we aim to increase invitation to advisory boards and scientific committees.

How? We have created an interdisciplinary database of women scientists from Central Europe. We promote awareness of this database by disseminating information about the tool to national and international organisations, industrial bodies and R&D employment sites

• to increase the participation of women and men scientists from Central Europe in European Commission funded research

How? We have developed a "project sourcebook" which introduces the European Commission research funding tools and offer experience-based tips and suggestions on proposal writing and project coordination and management

• to increase the participation of women in decision-making and evaluation procedures of Framework Programme 6 funding
• to foster reflective practices by raising awareness of the implications of gender dimension of scientific research and...
•  to develop scientists’ skills in incorporating this into their research ideas and methodologies

How? CEC-WYS partners have developed a manual on this theme, and workshops to introduce the concept and look at concrete examples of how this can be done

• to prepare young researchers to take ownership of their research projects, and to develop their skills in communication and responsible conduct of research, and to provide them with the skills and reflection to develop into effective supervisors and mentors

How? CEC-WYS partners will hold seminars for young men and women scientists, based on the Reflexives programme.

• to open up the debate on the issues facing young scientists, particularly from a regional and gender perspective, concerning mobility and work-life balance, to provide a platform for young scientists to make their voices heard, and to make recommendations to contribute to policy development in this area

How? CEC-WYS will analyse and publish the findings of the Enwise workshop on young scientists and follow-up questionnaire and further online questionnaire. CEC-WYS will also organise a conference, planned for autumn 2006 which will address the position of young scientists

• creation of a forum to facilitate networking, exchange of experience and information among young scientists from Central Europe with the aim of creating a base from which scientists will mobilise in order to advocate their interests in a policy debate

How? CEC-WYS has a website section devoted to issues facing young scientists with information on funding and mobility issues particularly for the region. The planned conference will be an opportunity for networking and mobilisation for future activities

• encourage policy developments at national level concerning the issue of women in science

How? Based on the Enwise expert group recommendations, CEC-WYS partners will monitor policy developments and lobby at national level

• increase gender awareness in scientific community in the region

How? CEC-WYS reaches many scientists via the various events, website and dissemination/communication tools, CEC-WYS partners meet with groups of women scientists to discuss their career progression and working environment, via the media, and by participating in non gender specific events organised by National Contact Points and other organisations concerned with the participation of Central and Eastern Europe in European research structures.

Due to the situation of women and young people in science in Central Europe, it is expected that the overall impact of the project will be far-reaching. The Centre will serve as the main networking, information and co-ordination point in the region for women and young people in science. Furthermore, it is expected that due to the distaste for women’s networking and advocating their rights in Central and Eastern Europe, the Centre will serve as an advocacy group in the region to advocate the interests of women scientists.