ESC and CoR opinions on Green Paper on Innovation
The Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of the European Union have published their opinions on the Commission's Green Paper on Innovation. Both bodies welcomed the publication of the Green Paper and its comprehensive proposals for the promotion of innovation in the European Union. They urge the Commission to implement these proposals through an action plan, based on the results of the consultation period. The ESC opinion is particularly concerned with the involvement of SMEs, and all members of their workforces, in the innovation process. Factors affecting this include financing of innovation, networks of SMEs, training and employment conditions, the legal and regulatory framework and the market's capacity to absorb new products. In addition, the ESC endorses the Commission's proposals for actions to orient research towards innovation, at both EU and national levels. The CoR opinion concentrates on the role which local and regional authorities can play in improving the legal, financial, economic and training environment for innovation. Regional and local authorities should also support the dissemination of innovation, particularly by encouraging the creation of links between universities, research centres and industry at regional, interregional and cross-frontier level. The CoR suggests that innovation mechanisms should be extended to the development and marketing phases as well as research and development, with consequent effects on job creation. Technology watch centres at a regional level could also be a valuable tool in monitoring trends in innovation across Europe.