CORDIS Archive

This Communication seeks to identify practical ways in which Community policies can enhance a systemic approach to RTD and Innovation in order to contribute to the economic growth of less favoured regions and help promote socio-economic cohesion.

The Communication highlights the urgency of establishing an integrated RTD and Innovation strategy - articulated at three levels - which connects to the economic development process in the region and which, via the national system of RTD and innovation support, is integrated into a wider European perspective. Complementary policies necessary for the delivery of the RTD and Innovation strategy must be included from the outset. Innovation promotion, industrial co-operation and networking and strengthening of human capabilities are the key elements of this strategy. The Communication provides some examples of "good practice" in these areas.

The Commission hereby invites regions to initiate and develop an integrated RTD and Innovation strategy, based on the needs of their regional economic structure, with a view to progressively enhance the content of the future Structural Funds programmes.

Moreover, it invites Member States to ensure that national policies are complementary with and supportive of the needs and potentialities identified at the regional and Community level. It also invites Member States - in the context of the preparation of the European Spatial Development Perspective - to take into full consideration the recommendations set out in this Communication. The candidate countries are also invited to develop an appropriate RTD and Innovation strategy at regional and national level.

In turn the Commission intends to use this Communication as a basis for preparing the Structural Funds guidelines in the RTD and Innovation domain.