Make the most of Framework Programme and Structural Funds, say Commissioners
Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potocnik and his colleague responsible for Regional Policy, Danuta Hübner, have highlighted how coordinating the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and the Structural Funds can better support research and development at the national and regional levels. Addressing a conference in Brussels on 3 May, both commissioners urged national and regional authorities as well as relevant actors to make better coordinated use of the funds available through these channels in order to reach the aims of the renewed Lisbon Strategy. 'Cohesion Policy has already contributed to the development of research and development in the EU. They have played a role in strengthening the places where research takes place, the skills of the people who carry it out and linking with the businesses who can exploit it', said Mr Potocnik, pointing to the €l0.5 billion spent on the regions for research, technological development and infrastructure through the Structural Funds between 2000-2006. 'But one of our problems remains too much division: division between public and private sectors, between national and European, between regions, between institutions and even within all of these. This division extends to EU funds. But in fact, there is no good reason for any conflict. The Framework Programme requests complementarity with Cohesion Policy and the Structural Funds. And the Structural funds highlight the opportunities in the Framework Programme,' the Commissioner continued. In the past, it was believed that the Structural Funds could only be used for cohesion, while the research framework programme could only fund research excellence. According to Mr Potocnik, it is time to dispel this belief. 'Too many people have taken on board the message that Structural Funds and Framework Programmes cannot both be applied to the same activities in the same project. This is true - but the two funds can be applied to different stages of the same project, as long as the expenditure co-financed by one of the Funds do not receive assistance from the other,' Mr Potocnik stated. In her speech, Commissioner Hübner focused on the role that cohesion policy will play in strengthening the research and innovation (R&I) capacity of the less developed regions of Europe. While accepting that R & I within the EU is unevenly distributed and that these disparities increased significantly with enlargement, Ms Hübner stressed that the policies of the EU would achieve a good balance between fostering existing centres of excellence and enabling new ones to emerge. 'We need poles of excellence, but we also need networks of regions working together. We need to ensure that the whole of the Union can participate in and benefit from the European Research Area. Regional intervention is an essential part of our strategy for achieving this balance. While knowledge is undeniably a global commodity, many of the key drivers of research and innovation are most efficiently addressed at the regional level' she said. The EU's cohesion policy is expected to provide about €50 billion from 2007 to 2013 for research and innovation related activities. 'Almost two-thirds of this €50 billion will be allocated to improving the capacity of SMEs [small and medium enterprises] to innovate by promoting technology transfers and co-operation networks; to supporting R&D within SMEs; and to supporting the diffusion of ICTs in businesses. One third will be dedicated to improving R&D infrastructures, and the human aspect of research, particularly through post-graduate studies. And the bulk of the investments will be in convergence regions, thereby ensuring that research and innovation are fostered throughout the Union,' noted Ms Hübner. The Commissioner pointed to the need to ensure synergy between cohesion policy and FP7. 'There is general complementarity whereby cohesion policy helps to build research and innovation capacity in all regions, but especially in the convergence regions. This will increase the chances for actors in these regions to participate in the current and future Framework Programmes and to achieve excellence in their research activities. This is essential for the long term, cohesive development of the Union,' she stated. Areas in FP7 where synergy would be possible include: 'Regions of Knowledge' and 'Research Potential'. As the first action is to provide strategies for research-driven clusters at local and regional level, involving universities, research centres, enterprises and regional authorities, the strategies could then be taken up in regional policy programmes. As for 'research potential', it could help drive research and innovation convergence and outermost regions where much of the effort of cohesion policy will also focus. FP7 and cohesion policy could also provide complementary funding for items such as carrying out feasibility studies of major new research infrastructures, both physical and virtual. So where these would be linked to regional economic development, particularly in the convergence regions, they could then receive Cohesion Policy support, suggested the Commissioner. 'Cohesion policy plays a unique role in strengthening the research and innovation capacity of less developed regions and in addressing the EU's drive to improve its performance in this area. It complements the focus of EU research policy on international partnerships of excellence and plays a central role in the creation of a European Research Area,' concluded Ms Hubner. 'I encourage national and regional authorities to take full advantage of the opportunities which both instruments offer for creating a knowledge-based economy.'