Committee of Regions calls for greater role for local players in ERA
The Committee of the Regions has welcomed the Commission's Green Paper on strengthening the European Research Area (ERA), but called for more recognition of the role of local and regional authorities as partners. The opinion adopted by the Committee was drafted by Michael Schroeren of the North Rhine Westphalia Parliament in Germany. 'Cities and regions do make a significant contribution towards the creation of a vibrant European Research Area, developing innovative environments for scientists and for research infrastructures,' said Mr Schroeren. The measures recommended by the rapporteur include facilitating researcher mobility and forging closer links between academia and industry. 'Colleges must, more than has hitherto been the case, be seen and supported as drivers of innovation in their regions, and be involved in the relevant discussions,' writes Mr Schroeren. In order to finance the research infrastructures so needed in Europe, the European Commission needs to attract funding from regional, national and private sources to supplement that from EU sources. The opinion also calls for a stepping up of cooperation between actors at EU, national and regional level within research programmes.