External evaluations of the scientific and technological cooperation programmes with developing countries and countries with economies in transition launched by the European Community, have highlighted a number of lessons for future cooperation in research and technological development: (i) the importance of mutuality in the project planning and implementation phase; (ii) the need to base scientific cooperation on the priority needs identified in developing countries and economies in transition. Also, that without local/national support, investments in human capital and scientific infrastructure are not sustainable; (iii) a clear need to see research priorities in relation to other policy areas such as development cooperation with third countries; (iv) greater input from local scientists in developing and Central and East European countries was necessary from project formulation through to management; and (v) the economic and environmental problems of sustainable development required an interdisciplinary approach. Building on local knowledge was vital to make research and its results relevant.