Commission launches consultation on new programme for innovation and competitiveness
The European Commission has launched a consultation on its ideas for a new framework programme for competitiveness and innovation, to run from 2007 until 2013. The programme would streamline and bring together actions in various policy fields, including the innovation aspects of the framework programmes for research, to create a more comprehensive and coherent approach, according to the Commission. Alongside instruments to encourage innovation, including in the field of environmental technologies, energy efficiency and renewable energies, the programme would aim increase the uptake and mastery of information and communication technologies (ICTs), enhance access to finance by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and stimulate better framework conditions for businesses.