Est. 2min 16-05-2006 (updated: 05-11-2012 ) Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram The regions should not wait for the official adoption of FP7 to consult their regional innovation partners, to fine tune innovation strategies and to submit the programs to the Commission. A conference on FP7 gathered the heads of regional offices in Brussels on 12 May 2006 to discuss the role of regions in European research. The Commission was encouraging the regions to set R&D as a priority in their operational programs for the years to come and urged them to quickly prepare and submit their, even unofficial, operational programs to the Commission to ensure that regions can fully participate in the FP7 right from the start. FP7, will include two schemes specifically targeted at European regions: Regions of Knowledge, to support existing regional research-driven clusters (bringing together regional authorities, universities, research centres and enterprises) and the emergence of new ones. Unlocking the research potential, to develop the research potential in the EU’s less favoured regions by reinforcing their science and technology capacities (acquisition of research equipment, organisation of conferences for technology transfer etc.) and supporting twinning of their institutions with those of technologically advanced regions. “Our objectives with the regional schemes in the FP7 are threefold: to increase regional investments in research, to integrate research into regional development strategies and to facilitate the transfer of best practices,” said Science and Research Commissioner Janez Poto?nik. The initial FP7 proposal suggested 158 million euro for the first scheme, 554 million for the second. These amounts will somewhat decrease as the FP7’s overall budget has been reduced in the negotiations on the EU’s long term budget 2007-2013. The new schemes also aim to improve synergies of the Framework Programs with European Regional Policy to better support research in the regions. To make sure that research in regions is supported even more, the Commission also proposes more use of Structural Funds to support R&D and innovation activities. Read more with Euractiv Barroso wants to boost EU justice and security policyThe Commission President proposes to use existing treaties to allow tighter cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organised crime. Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters Positions"Synergies between FP7 and Structural Funds mean complementarity, using different instruments and policies towards similar objectives. We have to bear in mind that research policy will continue to be drive by excellence and regional policy by the principle of cohesion," said the Director General of DG Research, Jose Manuel Silva Rodriguez. "The Commission will support regional research-driven clusters and rely on them to get regions more involved in European research," said Louis Bellmin from DG Research. These clusters are associations of at least one excellent, public or private, research entity, regional authorities and local enterprises. "Most of the regions have developed regional innovation strategies either through, for example, the structural funds or through the Regions of Knowledge -initiative. The problem is that these strategies on how to mobilise innovation in the enterprises never get in the operational programs financed by the structural funds. So, the Commission is giving seed money to develop these strategies, but when it comes to deciding on how to spend the real money, the strategies are forgotten and the distribution is done according to political priorities," said Nicola de Michelis from DG Regio. BackgroundA strategy to develop the Regional Dimension of the European Research Area (ERA) was adopted in 2001. It qualified regions as emerging dynamic players in developing and structuring the ERA and in supporting the EU's transition to a knowledge based economy. Regions of Knowledge pilot action was kicked off in 2003 (with 2.5 million euro). It supported 14 experimental projects aiming to develop 'regions of knowledge' in the area off technological development, university co-operation and integration of regions. Regions of Knowledge 2 was launched in 2004 (8.95 million euro). It supported 18 projects promoting increased and better regional investment in research through co-ordination and collaboration between regional policies and initiatives. The Regions of Knowledge scheme does not fund scientific research but cross-border co-operation on research policy between regions. Timeline Regions are urged to prepare and submit their unofficial operational strategies for the FP7 as soon as possible. Formally they can do it only once they have official strategic guidelines in October 2006 Further ReadingEU official documents Commission press release:Using Europe’s regions to generate knowledge(12 May 2006) Innovating regions in Europe Regional Dimension of the ERA
