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On 20 November 1996, the Commission adopted the First Action Plan for Innovation in Europe following the wide ranging public debate stimulated by the Green Paper on Innovation which was launched in December 1995.
The Action Plan provides a general framework for action at the European and Member State level to support the innovation process. A limited number of priority measures, to be launched immediately by the Community, are identified. The plan also sets out those measures which are already underway or which have been announced since the launch of the Green Paper.
Three main areas for action have been identified:
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Fostering an innovation culture: education and training, easier mobility for researchers and engineers, demonstration of effective approaches to innovation in the economy and in society, propagation of best management and organizational methods amongst businesses, and stimulation of innovation in the public sector and in government;
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Establishing a framework conducive to innovation: adaptation and simplification of the legal and regulatory environment, especially with respect to Intellectual Property Rights, and providing easier access to finance for innovative enterprises;
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Gearing research more closely to innovation at both national and Community level: as far as action at the Community level is concerned, the Commission proposes to establish within the Fifth Framework a single, simplified horizontal framework for integrating "innovation" and "SME" dimensions. Outside of the Framework Programme, all Community instruments are to be mobilized to support innovation.
First Action Plan on Innovation in Europe
Innovation Green Paper
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