EUREKA calls for more business sector involvement in ERA
EUREKA has responded to the European Commission's communication on bolstering the European Research Area (ERA) with a call for more emphasis on the involvement of the business sector in the ERA. EUREKA is an intergovernmental initiative that supports cooperation in industrial research. The organisation is intended to complement the EU's research framework programmes, and is regarded by its members as an important instrument for the construction of the ERA. As may be expected from an organisation supporting industry-led research, EUREKA sets out the case for involving industry more in the ERA. 'The Green Paper very much focuses on the 'research' side of the research, development and innovation nexus. We feel the need to call the attention of the Commission to innovation as well,' states the position paper. The paper goes on to emphasise that the business sector is an important stakeholder in the creation of a knowledge society, both as a generator and a user of new knowledge. 'Participation of the business sector in the ERA should not be viewed only in terms of providing financial resources, but in fully integrating the business sector's views, potentials and priorities in the reflection exposed by the Green Paper,' says EUREKA. Greater interaction between the EU research programmes and intergovernmental initiatives such as EUREKA is also high up on EUREKA's wish list. Looking solely at EU, national or regional level activities without examining interaction between these initiatives is too restrictive, according to the paper, and should be avoided when looking for ways to strengthen the ERA. Finally, EUREKA welcomes moves by the Commission to catalyse stronger cooperation between the Member States through new instruments such as Article 169 (provides for the Community to support the integration of national research programmes) and ERA-NETs (intended to coordinate national research programmes). The organisation then goes on to claim that these actions and others would benefit from exploiting well-established structures and networks, such as EUREKA. Such structures can provide the basis for enhanced cooperation, allowing 'greater coherence and confidence in a successful outcome'. More specifically, the paper suggests that industry could get involved in the EU-funded Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) though existing EUREKA Clusters. The Commission should also consider establishing tailor-made programmes responding to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based on EUREKA initiatives such as the Eurostars programme. The Commission will use the results of the current debate on the ERA to put forward a set of proposals in early 2008.