VALUE II: An overview of the work programme
The Third Framework Programme for Community research and technological development (1990-1994) envisages two routes for ensuring that maximum effectiveness is obtained from the results stemming from Community RTD. These are: (1) Via the specific programmes themselves. Each of the 16 programmes within the RTD Framework Programme undertakes a number of dissemination activities. (2) By means of the centralized action for dissemination and exploitation of the results of Community RTD (VALUE II) established by Council Decision 92/272/EEC of 29.4.1992. The aim of the Centralized Action is to give a specific added value to the RTD activities which are the subject of the Third Framework Programme, utilizing experience gained from implementation of the VALUE I programme (1988-1992). However, VALUE II must not be considered simply as an extension of VALUE I. It broadens the perspective of dissemination and exploitation activities by introducing new components relating, in particular, to the impact of RTD activities and their results on the social fabric and the scientific community itself. The Commission's Work Programme for VALUE II was approved in September 1992 and sets out actions to be launched in 1992 and 1993. These are grouped within three areas: - The Research/Industry Interface: Initiatives seek to extend and improve dissemination and exploitation activities at this interface, in particular by establishing a network of RTD relay centres to promote Community programmes in the context of European industry (This area of VALUE II will be allocated some ECU 49.5 million from the total available appropriation for 1992-1994 of ECU 57 million). - The Research/Scientific Community Interface: Work in this area proposes to study the research environment and its impact via an interdisciplinary review of research activities from four angles. These are: The general context of research; communication; economics; and, management. - The Research/Society Interface: Here, studies will concentrate on different groups of society, both as potential beneficiaries of the Community's RTD effort and as a source of information concerning society's present and future technological requirements. Aims will be to strengthen the European Technology Assessment Unit, concentrating on key technologies, facilitate communication channels between scientific and technological achievements and the general public, and detect and understand the public's needs. The aims and content of the VALUE II programme are detailed in an Annex to the Commission's proposal for a Council Decision on the dissemination and exploitation of knowledge resulting from the specific programmes of RTD of the Community (COM(90) 61 of 31.1.1991) published in Official Journal OJ No C 53 of 28.2.1991.