Innovation policy in European area

Laura BouriaudUniversity Stefan cel Mare Suceava

Innovation policy

Why do we need a policy in the innovation field

- creation of “European added value”.

- “subsidiarity principle”, those objectives which are most efficiently pursued at Union level.

-community innovation programmes and projects encourage the harmonious and sustainable development of the community as a whole.

Main principles

Innovation policy is about helping companies to perform better and contributing to wider social objectives such as growth, jobs and sustainability.

EX: projects should concentrate on areas in which there is expansion and therefore good prospects for

growth, community businesses are supposed to become

more competitive, and scientific and technological progress is

expected to offer a medium- or long-term potential for dissemination and exploitation

European Council’s common position on the fifth FP based on Annex I of the Commission proposal COM(97) 142 final, 30 April 1997

Innovation policy arena

Policy issue arenas and levels of authorityKuhlmann, 2001

Mostly at EU level

Only some at EU level

Both at national and EU level

Policy issue arenas and levels of authority

From national to Eu level

Instruments innovation policy

Main instruments

Framework programme: 1984 European Commission launched the first “framework

programme” for research and technology concentrated on industrial technologies, information technology,

telecommunications, and biotechnology

1999 European Commission about Fifth FP: a “social contract” aiming explicitly to create jobs, promote health and quality of life, and preserve the environment, 15 billion euro

Boosting research through the Seventh Framework Programme

Slide not related to the topic

Boosting research through the Seventh Framework Programme 2007-2013 (FP7), €50.5 billion

Cooperation: this involves collaborative research in health, food, agriculture, fisheries, biotechnology, information and communication technologies, energy, the environment (including climate change), transport (including aeronautics), socioeconomic sciences and the humanities, space and security, nano-sciences, nano-technologies, materials and new production technologies;

Ideas: the key element is the establishment of the European Research Council, which funds frontier science;

People: this covers human resources and includes scholarships for young researchers, fellowships for lifelong training and career development, partnerships between industry and academia and awards for excellence;

Capacities: funding here upgrades research infrastructures, supports research and development by small businesses, develops knowledge and science clusters and promotes scientific knowledge in general.

Regional innovation policy initiatives:

1993 pilot initiative “regional technology plans (RTP)” – many public private

partnerships were created

Cohesion Policy support to innovation and research Regional programmes for innovative actions (2002-2006) Regions of Knowledge (FP7): strengthen the research potential of regions Research potential of Convergence Regions (FP7)

Programmes in support of research and innovation: 1985, EUREKA Initiative: to strengthen the competitiveness and productivity of

European industry through stimulation of co-operation between companies and research institutes

COST (international co-operations in long-term, application-oriented research)

Lead markets initiative The European Commission, Member States and industry work together

to carry out the action plans for the 6 Lead Markets. The policy instruments deal with regulation, public procurement,

standardisation and supporting activities. The markets identified:

eHealth, Protective textiles, Sustainable construction, Recycling, Bio-based products and Renewable energies.

Other policies: Design and creativity, Clusters, Innovation in services, Intellectual Property , Standards, Knowledge and Technology Transfer, Eco-innovation, European Institute of Innovation and Technology, Joint Technology Initiatives

Conclusions:

From national innovation system to the European innovation policy – governance matters

Innovation cultures

Networking

Innovation policy making in multi-actor/ multi-level settings