|
 |
|
|
 CLUSTERING OF INNOVATION PROJECTS
|
|
With a little help from your friends |
| |
| |
|
As the Fifth Framework Programme moves into the Sixth, the emphasis in European research is very much on exchanging experience and best practice without damaging competition. At a recent workshop in Potsdam, Germany, Innovation projects assessed the benefits of sharing competence through working in clusters. |
|
|
he legislation establishing the Fifth Framework Programme(1) (FP5) made it clear that one of its objectives was to improve the conditions for innovation in the EU. It referred to the need for research initiatives to create a 'critical mass' in human and financial terms, in particular through the combination of the complementary expertise and resources available in the Member States. The Innovation and Participation of SMEs programme within FP5 has supported 74 Innovation projects (IPs), complemented by six accompanying measures (AMs), to address these objectives and others. To encourage the projects to draw on each other's resources, several clusters covering specific interests were established. | (1) Decision 182/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 December 1998 concerning the fifth framework programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (1998 to 2002), OJ L 126 of 1.2.1999, p. 1. |
January 2003 
