"The project RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS is aimed at reinforcing the S&T potential of two emerging research centers, which are dealing with study of natural and industrial solid pollutants: (1) Mineralogy-Crystallography and Petrology-Geochemistry Departments of the Faculty of Mining and Geology, Serbia (UB-FMG) and Department of Geochemistry and Environmental Geology, Geological Survey of Slovenia (GeoZS) - by establishing strategic partnership among each other and with the Institute of Geosciences, Division of Mineralogy, University of Frankfurt, Germany (GUF). The major project objectives are: (i) strengthening the international co-operation networking and partnership between the UB-FMG, GUF and GeoZS and setting-up a brain-gain environment, (ii) improving material research standards at the UB-FMG by renewal and upgrade of the facilities, (iii) exploiting the RTD results of the GeoZS and UB-FMG and promoting them to national/regional centers of excellence, (iv) networking among the institutions from the European region of convergence and Western Balkan, (v) promoting the ideas of the EU 7th Framework Program, and (vi) counterbalancing the effects of ’brain drain’ in Serbia. These objectives are to be achieved within 36 months during which support and management actions organized in six Work Packages will be undertaken. These actions include (i) staff mobility in order to mobilize and reinforce the quality of human resources, (ii) purchase and renewal of the equipment, (iii) organization of lectures, short seminars and thematic workshops, (iv) opening two post-Doc positions, and (v) various dissemination and management activities. The RESTCA-TERCE-NIPMSS goals are to generate real scientific progress in the targeted research centers in Serbia and Slovenia without creating strong dependence. This is a step forward in harmonizing the scientific system in EU and in setting-up research-intensive clusters across Europe."