The grant will support outermost regions in boosting their research excellence and unlocking their innovation potential, so that they can participate successfully in European R&I projects.

The FORWARD project involves the regional governments of nine outermost regions (Azores, Canary islands, Guadalupe, Guyane, la Reunión, Madeira, Martinique, Mayotte, Saint-Martin), as well as the main R&I actors in each region. FORWARD will carry out an initial analysis of R&I ecosystems and based on the results, it will develop a common strategy and thematic action plans, capacity building activities and networking, as well as activities to link research and policy development. Based on a multi-stakeholder, multidisciplinary and inter-sectoral approach, the project will also support the collaboration and networking between different representatives (academia, industry, government and civil society) at regional and EU level.

The FORWARD project was launched as part of the EU’s strategy for outermost regions.