WINS-ICT aims to strengthen S&T cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkan countries by deepening the bi-regional strategic relations in the field of ICT and promoting the participation of WB ICT research actors in FP 7.The objectives of the WINS-ICT project are to- Provide comprehensive understanding of the current framework of EU-WBC ICT RTD policies and RTD collaboration- Optimize the current policy framework and establish strategic partnerships with other projects, such as WBC-INCO.NET- Support the building of sustainable networks between innovative WBC ICT researchers and their EU counterparts- Enhance the capacities and capabilities of WBC researchers to successfully participate in the FP7 ICT research activitiesThe WINS-ICT project will thus contribute to the Commission's priority to extend future EU-Western Balkan S&T co-operation by promoting WBC involvement in the ICT programme at multiple levels comprising support to the regional and bi-regional dialogues, capacity building at the regional and national levels, and targeted dissemination strategies. The political dimension will in particular be closely intertwined with the WBC.INCO-NET project, and will further entail regional dialogue and regular information exchange with ICTC members and other EC Directorates General. The ultimate aim is to fully integrate researchers from the region into networks of FP-active EU organizations and enable their related research organisations to submit their own project proposals as coordinating institutions. The main output of the project will be an improved policy dialogue in the field of ICT, reflecting the WBCs needs and priorities in future ICT Work Programmes and thus providing the ground for enhanced participation from the target region. The project consortium includes 15 partners from the EU Member States, Accession Candidate Countries and the Western Balkan region, covering all countries within the latter. WINS-ICT's duration is 24 months.