The Twinning project on bridging the gap between science and business in collaboration with Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation held series of focus group interviews between 23 and 25 March 2022. Possible topics for science and business collaboration important for solving main society challenges were discussed with representatives of various clusters, associations and companies. “These will be very good opportunities to identify the potential for closer interaction between science and business, or even the society at large in Georgia. We are optimistic that despite the barriers which normally exist in science-industry collaborations, we will find promising areas and ways of collaboration and can point to necessary developments in the Georgian Science Policy system to make this happen” noted Wolfgang Polt, Twinning Project Leader from Joanneum Research, Austria.

Jaba Samushia, Director General of Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation mentioned that identification of scientific priorities is strategically important for the enhancement of grant calls and foundation development, in general.

The meeting at the Georgian National Academy of Sciences was especially important in terms of discussion of science development for several last decades in Georgia and the last activities of academicians in different fields important for science and business collaboration. “This meeting has once more revealed the importance of technological developments carried out in Georgia. Despite some problems, quite innovative technologies are still developed in the country in different scientific directions. These innovative technologies are interesting for practical application and should be a subject for the science-business collaboration” - mentioned Giorgi Kvesitadze, President of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences.

Another meeting was held at the National Museum of Georgia with representatives of Creative Industries and Cultural Heritage to discuss the needs and challenges of the field.

It was noticed that Georgia is facing many challenges, and identification of functional priorities is more important at the current stage for scientific and educational system improvement that would lead to the development of a sustainable business ecosystem. “Functional priorities complement thematic priorities and aim in particular at functional shortcomings of a science and innovation system. Such functional priorities could for instance address issues such as the provision of shared laboratory spaces accessible for enterprises or the training of research personnel fitting to the needs of the business sector”-stated Christian Hartmann, the component leader responsible for identification of scientific priorities in Georgia from Joanneum Research, Austria.

“Working in Georgia for two years I have learnt once again that Georgia is an amazing country inspiring for big ideas and achievements that can bring together international partners from different fields. Indeed, interdisciplinary is one of the main advantages of Georgia. As an example of an important achievement, I would like to mention the Giorgi Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology and Virology that has such a long history and the bacteriophages that are demanded worldwide as an alternative to antibiotics for treatment of microbiological diseases”- stated Inese Gavarane, the Resident Twinning Advisor living in Georgia.