Hübner looks for synergies between future regional and research policies in support of innovation
European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Danuta Hübner, spoke to the European Parliament's committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) on November 29, elaborating the Commission's plans for better coordination between regional and research policies in the search for more European innovation. In particular she emphasised the role of regional policies and funding in addressing issues related to infrastructure, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), human capital and bridging the gap between research and innovation. The Commissioner first noted that regions had not received enough attention under the current research framework programme, FP6, but that there is much more emphasis on regional issues in the proposals for the next (FP7). With the exception of the Regions of Knowledge initiative and ERA-Net coordination activities at the regional level, there is little in FP6 that addresses regions specifically, she said, and while regional participation figures are not collected, the rate for participation by research actors in Objective 1 regions (those whose development is lagging behind) is estimated to be only around 14 per cent. Meanwhile, the vast majority (97 per cent) of Structural Fund investment in research and innovation is currently through the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF), amounting to 10.5 billion euro with 70 per cent going to Objective 1 regions. These grants fall into four categories: research projects in universities and institutes; research and innovation infrastructure; training for researchers; and innovation and technology transfer through networks and partnerships. There is also some indirect support through the 400 million euro available through the 'innovative actions' programmes on the three themes of knowledge-based technological innovation, sustainable development and information society. The Commissioner then moved on to how to increase coherence between these policies, including more emphasis on research and innovation in the next generation of cohesion policy for 2007 to 2013, as well as synergies with FP7, saying, 'we in the Commission are determined to work together across different Directorates General to strengthen links between research, innovation and growth.' On 6 July 2005 the Commission published draft strategic guidelines entitled 'Cohesion Policy in Support of Growth and Jobs: Community Strategic Guidelines, 2007-2013', she explained. The guidelines set out a framework for new programmes, which will be supported by the ERDF, the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund. The guidelines set out four priorities for investment in research, technology, development and innovation (RTDI) through the Structural Funds: strengthening cooperation among businesses and public research organisations through regional and trans-regional clusters; supporting SME research and SME access to publicly-funded research; trans-national initiatives to strengthen research collaboration and capacity; and research and development capacity building through information and communication technology (ICT), infrastructures and human capital. In reply to a question from MEP Eluned Morgan, the Commissioner confirmed that the Commission 'cannot accept projects that are not compatible with the priorities' since its role is to implement the priorities agreed with the Member States. In general, she observed a shift towards prioritising research and innovation in regional development strategies. Ms Hübner maintained that the general objectives of these guidelines to build up research and innovation capacity in all regions would contribute to improved participation in FP7. There would also be specific synergies between the two policies in terms of investment in research infrastructures, centres of excellence, researcher training and increasing the potential of research teams in convergence regions, as well as implementing through the Structural Funds the research strategies developed under FP7's extended Regions of Knowledge initiative. 'I am working together with Janez Potocnik and Günther Verheugen', she went on, referring to the Commissioners for Science and Research and for Enterprise and Industry, 'on a new approach for clusters, seeking to ensure that our policies work together and improve EU policy framework for innovation.' In particular the Commissioner detailed the new JEREMIE facility, which aims to improve access to finance for innovative SMEs through improved financial engineering capacity at the regional level. In response to MEP Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, the rapporteur for the proposed Competitiveness and Innovation framework programme (CIP), she emphasised that the CIP and JEREMIE are a package to address the innovation gap together, with the latter being perhaps the more bottom-up approach. Smaller infrastructure investments, such as laboratory apparatus, were one area she identified where the Structural Funds could complement the framework programmes; also, human capital and training, especially for moderators or 'cluster leaders' for regional clusters of innovation. Looking ahead, the European Parliament's ITRE committee has also asked for an opinion on FP7 from the REGI committee for regional policy, while Commissioner Hübner will be organising a conference in June 2006 on best practice in technology transfer, especially through regional clusters for innovation.