Regional Aspects. in the 7 th Framework Programme. Expert Advisory Group Report on "Regions of Knowledge" REPORT

Transcription

1 Regional Aspects in the 7 th Framework Programme Expert Advisory Group Report on "Regions of Knowledge" REPORT

2 Interested in European research? RTD info is our quarterly magazine keeping you in touch with main developments (results, programmes, events, etc.). It is available in English, French and German. A free sample copy or free subscription can be obtained from: European Commission Directorate-General for Research Information and Communication Unit B-1049 Brussels Fax (32-2) research@cec.eu.int Internet: EUROPEAN COMMISSION Directorate-General for Research Directorate B European Research Area: Research Programmes and Capacity Unit B.4 Regions of Knowledge and Research Potential Contact: Irmela BRACH European Commission Office SDME 1/37 B-1049 Brussels Irmela.Brach@ec.europa.eu Fax (32-2)

3 EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Aspects in the 7 th Framework Programme Expert Advisory Group Report on "Regions of Knowledge" REPORT prepared by Helena ACHESON (FORFÁS Ireland) Rapporteur of the EAG 2007 Directorate-General for Research

4 Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union New freephone number: LEGAL NOTICE Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use which might be made of the following information. The views expressed in this publication are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. A great deal of additional information on the European Union is available on the Internet. It can be accessed through the Europa server ( Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication. BELGIUM: EC 2007 European Communities, 2007 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. Printed in BELGIUM PRINTED ON WHITE CHLORINE-FREE PAPER

5 CONTENT page INTRODUCTION 3 'Regions of Knowledge' Experience to date 4 Work Programme RECOMMENDATION 6 ANNEX List of members of the EAG "Regions of Knowledge" 7 1

6 2

7 INTRODUCTION For the preparation of the Work Programme 2008, the members of the EAG considered the first draft of the programme, prepared by the Commission, within the context of the following: knowledge and experience of implementation of the First Call (through contacts with relevant actors in their own regions), analysis and feedback prepared by the Commission, new policy initiatives and expert reports that have been launched in the interim, e.g. inter alia, the Green Paper on the European Research Area and the CREST and EURAB reports regarding the potential for synergies between the EU Framework Programme for RTDI and the Structural Funds. The draft Work Programme was circulated to the members on 16 th May 2007 and the meeting on 14 th June gave the possibility for in-depth discussion and clarifications between the EAG members and the Commission. This enabled the Commission to already take up many of the suggestions from the members. Subsequent to that, electronic communication between the members and the Rapporteur has further facilitated the compilation of this final Advice. 3

8 Regions of Knowledge Experience to date Overall, the EAG welcomed the success of this activity and consider, from the number of applications received in the First Call, that this Framework Programme initiative meets a clear need in Europe s regions. The total value of the proposals received for the Regions-1 area was 10 times greater than the available budget ( 8.8m). This in itself highlights that a particular need is being met but it also confirms the previously articulated view of this Group, that the budget allocation for this initiative is sub-optimal and more likely to lead to fragmented efforts than to the strategic building of a critical mass of capability in Europe s regions. Nevertheless, the EAG expressed satisfaction that proposals had originated from a large number of countries, including a number from the future Associated Countries. The EAG noted that with the more focused NCP Calls, that the selection of proposals and the negotiation of contracts would be a relatively faster process than for the other areas an aspect that is very important for applicants. The EAG considers it important that the lessons learnt from one Call translate quickly and effectively into subsequent Calls and, in this context, considered it useful that the Commission identify the systematic misunderstandings that had arisen and ensure clarification of terminology and text in the future. 4

9 Work Programme 2008 REGIONS-3 (the NCP-Call) is a unique call and has therefore been separated from the general Call text. The EAG agrees that there should be two new topics for 2008 and two indicative priorities for 2009 and notes that their suggestions for 2008 have been incorporated into the Work Programme. Maximising the benefits of research infrastructures for regional development Regional contributions to the reduction of CO2 emissions Two indicative topics have also been included for the 2009 Calls Role of universities for the economic development of regions Integrated water management The EAG maintain the view that the budget allocation for this activity should be at least three times higher. Discussions regarding the inclusion of rural areas concluded that this reference should not only be maintained but in fact broadened to include a maritime approach within this definition. Regarding the general question of definitions used in the text; the EAG consider that certain terms (i.e. clusters, research entities etc.) need to be carefully defined in the call text and used coherently throughout the document to avoid misunderstandings reoccurring. 5

10 To encourage regions other than outermost and convergence regions to apply, the term trans-national cross-border and inter-regional cooperation should be used. Furthermore, the EAG are of the view that co-funding of proposals should be considered favourably during evaluation. Policy co-ordination (and coherence) can be a challenge at the EU, national and regional levels. Therefore, it would be extremely useful if the Commission were to include in the Call text, as appropriate, references to Regions of Economic Change (Objective 3, Structural Funds), Regional Innovation Strategies (DG ENTR), Network of Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE Network) and Innovative Clusters (CIP). The cross referencing should be done in such a way that potential applicants understand the different objectives of each. RECOMMENDATION It would be desirable that the implementation option of the prepared action plans under the Research Potential line amplify the expected impact from the Regions of Knowledge initiative. 6

11 ANNEX List of members of the EAG "Regions of Knowledge" ACHESON, Helena CHATZIPARADEISIS, Asterios DOERR, Claudia FRENTZ, Gabriela HUSSO, Kai JENSEN, Marina LUNDGREN, Olle NEVE, John POMMIER, Paulette RODRIGUEZ-CLEMENTE, Rafael SABADOSOVA, Lubica STABULNIEKS, Janis STURN, Dorothea WOLMAN, Elzbieta WOSTNER, Peter FORFÁS Ministry of Development Management Authority of Operational Program Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology Ministry of European Integration Science and Technology Policy Council of Finland Planning Bureau Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Industry Department of Trade and Industry Consultant Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) Delegacion en Andalucia Ministry of Construction and Regional development Latvian Technological Center Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) Ministry of Education and Science Department of Structural Funds Government Office for Local Self- Government and Regional Policy 7

12 8

13 European Commission Regional Aspects in the 7 th Framework Programme Expert Advisory Group Report on "Regions of Knowledge" Belgium: EC pp x 29.7 cm

14 Motivated by the Lisbon Strategy goal to make the EU the most competitive, dynamic, knowledge-based economy by 2010, more and more policy makers in Europe recognize the importance of innovation and knowledge-based policies in restructuring economies and making them more competitive. In parallel, the emphasis on RTDI-type measures in the Structural Funds has increased in line with the Lisbon goals. The EU Commission has, in a consistent and coherent manner, placed improving knowledge and innovation at the heart of programmes in both the convergence (regions with less than 75% of the EU s average income per capita) and more competitive regions. Within DG RTD, the Regions of Knowledge initiative has, as a key objective, to contribute to the improvement of the interface between the EU s research and cohesion policies and also has a role in building up the capacity of regional actors to participate in the wider FP7 and ERDF initiatives. PRINTED by EC - DG RESEARCH