EUREKA Ministerial Conference communiqué
22 June 2012
North Macedonia
At the invitation of Hungary, Ministers and/or their representatives from 39 countries and the Representative of the European Commission met in Budapest on 22 June 2012 to convene for the XXVI Session of the EUREKA Ministerial Conference.
The Ministerial Conference, chaired by the Minister of State for National Economy, Prof. Dr. Zoltán Cséfalvay, agreed on the following conclusions:
1. The Ministerial Conference
Recognized the role of EUREKA as a reputable, leading innovation cooperation platform, generating and supporting bottom-up, market-driven, R&D&I projects in Europe and beyond successfully contributing to strengthening the European competitiveness and growth in the past 27 years.
Stressed that in the current economic and financial crisis investments in research, development and innovation are vital to enhance the recovery and EUREKA has to make significant efforts to contribute to this process by coordinated support for cross-border R&D cooperation and by creating favourable environment for economic growth and social welfare.
Welcomed the efforts to explore new financial resources for funding EUREKA projects among others through enhanced cooperation between regional stakeholders and the EUREKA network.
Emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between EUREKA and the European Commission in creating the European Research Area and achieving ambitious goals of Europe 2020.
Welcomed the positive interim evaluation of the Eurostars Programme and committed itself to continue the Eurostars Programme under Horizon 2020 based upon the approved Budapest document.
Noted with satisfaction the enhanced activities within EUREKA in addressing the Grand Challenges and the active contribution of the strategic Initiatives – Clusters and Umbrellas to these new initiatives.
Reaffirmed that the principles and objectives laid down in 1985 in the founding document of EUREKA – the Hanover Declaration - are still valid and based upon these values welcomed the new rules for participation aimed to foster the cooperation between EUREKA Member Countries and Associate/NIP Countries and pave the way towards increased project generation activities.
2. In this light, the XXVI Ministerial Conference welcomed the first revision of the EUREKA Strategic Roadmap - adopted by the EUREKA Ministerial Conference in 2010, Berlin - which ensures strong strategic governance, and a political as well as operational continuity of the programme. In line with the EUREKA 25thanniversary declaration adopted in Jerusalem in June 2011, the outcomes of the SRM Review Report, and taking into account the recent developments and changing of the R&D&I landscape in Europe, the revised document focuses on the re-adjusted strategic orientations of the network and defines the new position of EUREKA with re-oriented objectives for the period of 2012-2014.
As a new action field, the Ministers acknowledged the importance of improving the governance and efficiency of the EUREKA network (including the ESE) in order to become a reference for market oriented, bottom-up and industry-oriented innovation programmes and projects in Europe.
The Ministerial Conference formally adopted the revised SRM attached to the Communiqué and looked forward to its implementation under the upcoming chairmanships.
3. The Ministerial Conference noted with satisfaction the efforts of the Hungarian Chairmanship to improve the position of EUREKA in the ERA with a special focus on EUROSTARS 2.0 within Horizon 2020.
EUREKA’s vision is that EUROSTARS 2.0 will become the scheme of choice for its target group in Horizon 2020, directly contributing to generate high value goods, services and positive, wider economic impacts. It will have high European and international visibility, critical mass and as international best practice - in relation to efficient programme management at all levels -, it could serve as a model for further potential industry-oriented innovation programmes.
The Ministers have thus endorsed the “Budapest document” which is considered as the essential Programme document for EUROSTARS 2.0 describing the envisaged strategy and the main implementation mechanisms for the EUROSTARS 2.0 programme. The Commission TOOK NOTE of the document and welcomed the progress made by the EUREKA countries in the definition of the vision for Eurostars 2 and the good cooperation in the preparatory discussions with the Commission for a possible EU participation to EUROSTARS 2 through a new art. 185 initiative.
4. The Ministerial Conference welcomed EUREKA’s initiative to address Grand Challenges in particular EUREKA’s Cleantech Action initiated by the Israeli Chairmanship, and the efforts of the Hungarian Chairmanship in food related technologies (Foodtech Action). The Ministerial Conference calls future EUREKA chairs to continue developing such initiatives that effectively utilize the various EUREKA instruments and open new opportunities for European Industry providing high visibility to the network’s activities in key technological areas.
5. Ministers also acknowledged the pertinence of steps taken by the Hungarian Chairmanship in exploring the regional dimension of EUREKA in firm belief that EUREKA’s long-established experience in local outreach to innovation actors through its wide network can efficiently facilitate regional, cross-border projects aiming at responding to specific regional technological challenges. They welcomed building cooperation and finding synergies with other initiatives, such as the Danube Strategy and ERA-Net projects with regional focus, as well identifying good practices for using (EU and non-community) regional funds for international R&D&I cooperation.
In addition to that Ministers also welcomed the European Commission’s new cohesion policy proposal for 2014-2020 – along with Horizon 2020 and COSME – and the efforts of the EUREKA Hungarian Chairmanship to explore, especially in times of austerity, all possible incremental sources of funding. EUREKA is indeed a natural partner to implement innovation components of cohesion policy. For those EUREKA members who are also EU Member States particular attention should be paid to the huge potential of Structural Funds for financing EUREKA’s innovation activities. In case of EU Candidate Countries, the synergistic use of Structural Funds and Horizon 2020 should be considered through the instrument for Pre-Accession.
6. The Ministerial Conference acknowledged the activities of the strategic initiatives, clusters and umbrellas in the EUREKA network. In terms of project funding they represent more than 70 % of the EUREKA portfolio, they feature a high industrial participation, with a considerable – and increasing – level of SME-s’ involvement. Clusters are part of EUREKA and, as such, they contribute to its major objective to increase funding for industrial research, development and innovation in Europe. The Ministerial Conference welcomed the active participation of clusters and umbrellas in EUREKA initiatives addressing the grand challenges.
7. The Ministerial Conference stressed the importance of the efforts the Israeli and Hungarian Chairmanships have made in the field of financing innovation, and highlighted the role of EUREKA as a key player contributing to financing innovation in the ERA -together with partners such as EIB, EIF, the European Commission (RSFF), EEN, EBAN-, and actors of the private innovation financing sector. Further joint efforts are needed to develop new financial instruments and fine-tune existing ones to make them more accessible and seamless to EUREKA/EUROSTARS projects participants, particularly to SMEs.
8. The Ministers welcomed EUREKA’s efforts to measure the impacts of its project portfolio on the European growth and welfare. The conceptual framework for evaluation and impact assessment, developed and approved during the Israeli and Hungarian Chairmanships has created a strong basis for future and concrete exercises in order to make the benefits of EUREKA visible by applying scientifically proven methodology.
9. The Ministerial Conference recognised the progress made by the Israeli and Hungarian Chairmanships in terms of strengthening the international dimension of EUREKA. In order to provide an appropriate framework to European industry to cooperate in a more simple and effective way with partners from Associated and NIP countries the Ministers approved the change of EUREKA project participation rules for a test phase of three years, and adopted a short amendment (Budapest Amended Rules) to the Hanover Declaration explaining that the minimum requirement for EUREKA projects of at least two EUREKA Member States has been changed into at least one Member State and one NIP and/or Associated country.
10. The Ministers welcomed the progress the Republic of Korea has made in R&D&I cooperation with the EUREKA Member States and endorsed the Mid-term Assessment Report. They also welcomed the renewal of the Partnership Agreement with the Republic of Korea, represented by Mr. Chung, Jae Hoon, Deputy Minister for Industrial Economic Policy for another 3 years.
11. Project Generation and portfolio of EUREKA projects
The Conference welcomed the increasing number of EUROSTARS projects within the overall EUREKA project portfolio and was particularly pleased by the very high proportion of R&D-performing SMEs among the participants in EUROSTARS projects. The Ministerial Conference announced 237 new individual projects with a total estimated budget of 296 M€, and 280 EUROSTARS projects, with a total estimated budget of 397 M€. The Conference also announced 92 new Cluster projects with a total estimated budget of 1286 M€. The total number of newly launched projects is therefore 609, with a total budget of 1979 M€.
12. Admission of a New Member
The Ministerial Conference welcomed Republic of Montenegro as a new EUREKA member, represented by Prof. Dr. Sanja Vlahovic, Minister of Science. The Conference encouraged the new member to contribute actively to the activities of the network.
13. Admission of a new Associate Country
The Ministerial Conference welcomed Canada, the new Associate Country, represented by Mr. John McDougall, President of National Research Council. The Conference encouraged Canada to contribute actively to the network activities.
14. Turkish Chairmanship Programme
The Ministerial Conference welcomed the programme of the incoming Turkish Chairmanship.
In line with the work programme of the previous chairmanship, the Hanover Declaration, the Strategic Roadmap and the midterm review of the Strategic Roadmap held under the Hungarian Chairmanship; the Turkish Chair will focus on empowering EUREKA as a “Global Platform for Co-opetitive Innovation”.
In view of this fact, the Turkish Chairmanship aims to set a clear International Cooperation Strategy which meets political and technical dimensions of different expansion scenarios. In line with the EUREKA Strategic Roadmap, the Turkish Chairmanship aims to introduce new tools for increasing the number of projects in cooperation with third countries, to proceed in negotiating with potential countries for the associated country status and to reconsider the position of the NIP countries.
In order to remain EUREKA as the preferred platform for innovation; the Turkish Chairmanship aims to create a common mind to tackle with the challenge of bottom-up projects, to empower Eurostars 2.0 as the preferred coopetitive platform for high-tech SMEs, and to make necessary attempts for the professionalization of the EUREKA Network as a whole.
In addition, the Turkish Chairmanship aims to foster more coopetition in the network by giving kick-start to new clusters and strengthening a structured dialogue with the inter-cluster committee.
As it is also clearly stated in the Strategic Road Map, EUREKA should enable financing innovation and follow-on activities with the aim to support access to innovation financing and provide a dedicated scheme under EUREKA at a European level. With this aim, the Turkish EUREKA Chairmanship is planning to carry out the work started under the Israeli Chair and continued under Hungarian Chair together with the Financing Innovation Working Group by improving innovative financial instruments and services for promoting EUREKA and Eurostars labelled SMEs within the VC ecosystem.
15. Future Chairmanships
The Ministerial Conference looked forward to the forthcoming Chairmanships of Turkey (July 2012 – June 2013) and Switzerland (July 2014 – June 2015).
16. Next Session of the Ministerial Conference
The Ministerial Conference thanked the Government of Turkey for taking over the next EUREKA Chairmanship.
The next session of the Ministerial Conference is scheduled in June 2014.
At the end of the meeting, Minister of State for National Economy, Prof. Dr. Zoltán Cséfalvay, formally passed the EUREKA Chairmanship to the Head of the Turkish Delegation, Deputy Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Prof. Dr. Davut Kavranoğlu, and expressed his best wishes to their Chairmanship term.
The Ministerial Conference, chaired by the Minister of State for National Economy, Prof. Dr. Zoltán Cséfalvay, agreed on the following conclusions:
1. The Ministerial Conference
Recognized the role of EUREKA as a reputable, leading innovation cooperation platform, generating and supporting bottom-up, market-driven, R&D&I projects in Europe and beyond successfully contributing to strengthening the European competitiveness and growth in the past 27 years.
Stressed that in the current economic and financial crisis investments in research, development and innovation are vital to enhance the recovery and EUREKA has to make significant efforts to contribute to this process by coordinated support for cross-border R&D cooperation and by creating favourable environment for economic growth and social welfare.
Welcomed the efforts to explore new financial resources for funding EUREKA projects among others through enhanced cooperation between regional stakeholders and the EUREKA network.
Emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between EUREKA and the European Commission in creating the European Research Area and achieving ambitious goals of Europe 2020.
Welcomed the positive interim evaluation of the Eurostars Programme and committed itself to continue the Eurostars Programme under Horizon 2020 based upon the approved Budapest document.
Noted with satisfaction the enhanced activities within EUREKA in addressing the Grand Challenges and the active contribution of the strategic Initiatives – Clusters and Umbrellas to these new initiatives.
Reaffirmed that the principles and objectives laid down in 1985 in the founding document of EUREKA – the Hanover Declaration - are still valid and based upon these values welcomed the new rules for participation aimed to foster the cooperation between EUREKA Member Countries and Associate/NIP Countries and pave the way towards increased project generation activities.
2. In this light, the XXVI Ministerial Conference welcomed the first revision of the EUREKA Strategic Roadmap - adopted by the EUREKA Ministerial Conference in 2010, Berlin - which ensures strong strategic governance, and a political as well as operational continuity of the programme. In line with the EUREKA 25thanniversary declaration adopted in Jerusalem in June 2011, the outcomes of the SRM Review Report, and taking into account the recent developments and changing of the R&D&I landscape in Europe, the revised document focuses on the re-adjusted strategic orientations of the network and defines the new position of EUREKA with re-oriented objectives for the period of 2012-2014.
As a new action field, the Ministers acknowledged the importance of improving the governance and efficiency of the EUREKA network (including the ESE) in order to become a reference for market oriented, bottom-up and industry-oriented innovation programmes and projects in Europe.
The Ministerial Conference formally adopted the revised SRM attached to the Communiqué and looked forward to its implementation under the upcoming chairmanships.
3. The Ministerial Conference noted with satisfaction the efforts of the Hungarian Chairmanship to improve the position of EUREKA in the ERA with a special focus on EUROSTARS 2.0 within Horizon 2020.
EUREKA’s vision is that EUROSTARS 2.0 will become the scheme of choice for its target group in Horizon 2020, directly contributing to generate high value goods, services and positive, wider economic impacts. It will have high European and international visibility, critical mass and as international best practice - in relation to efficient programme management at all levels -, it could serve as a model for further potential industry-oriented innovation programmes.
The Ministers have thus endorsed the “Budapest document” which is considered as the essential Programme document for EUROSTARS 2.0 describing the envisaged strategy and the main implementation mechanisms for the EUROSTARS 2.0 programme. The Commission TOOK NOTE of the document and welcomed the progress made by the EUREKA countries in the definition of the vision for Eurostars 2 and the good cooperation in the preparatory discussions with the Commission for a possible EU participation to EUROSTARS 2 through a new art. 185 initiative.
4. The Ministerial Conference welcomed EUREKA’s initiative to address Grand Challenges in particular EUREKA’s Cleantech Action initiated by the Israeli Chairmanship, and the efforts of the Hungarian Chairmanship in food related technologies (Foodtech Action). The Ministerial Conference calls future EUREKA chairs to continue developing such initiatives that effectively utilize the various EUREKA instruments and open new opportunities for European Industry providing high visibility to the network’s activities in key technological areas.
5. Ministers also acknowledged the pertinence of steps taken by the Hungarian Chairmanship in exploring the regional dimension of EUREKA in firm belief that EUREKA’s long-established experience in local outreach to innovation actors through its wide network can efficiently facilitate regional, cross-border projects aiming at responding to specific regional technological challenges. They welcomed building cooperation and finding synergies with other initiatives, such as the Danube Strategy and ERA-Net projects with regional focus, as well identifying good practices for using (EU and non-community) regional funds for international R&D&I cooperation.
In addition to that Ministers also welcomed the European Commission’s new cohesion policy proposal for 2014-2020 – along with Horizon 2020 and COSME – and the efforts of the EUREKA Hungarian Chairmanship to explore, especially in times of austerity, all possible incremental sources of funding. EUREKA is indeed a natural partner to implement innovation components of cohesion policy. For those EUREKA members who are also EU Member States particular attention should be paid to the huge potential of Structural Funds for financing EUREKA’s innovation activities. In case of EU Candidate Countries, the synergistic use of Structural Funds and Horizon 2020 should be considered through the instrument for Pre-Accession.
6. The Ministerial Conference acknowledged the activities of the strategic initiatives, clusters and umbrellas in the EUREKA network. In terms of project funding they represent more than 70 % of the EUREKA portfolio, they feature a high industrial participation, with a considerable – and increasing – level of SME-s’ involvement. Clusters are part of EUREKA and, as such, they contribute to its major objective to increase funding for industrial research, development and innovation in Europe. The Ministerial Conference welcomed the active participation of clusters and umbrellas in EUREKA initiatives addressing the grand challenges.
7. The Ministerial Conference stressed the importance of the efforts the Israeli and Hungarian Chairmanships have made in the field of financing innovation, and highlighted the role of EUREKA as a key player contributing to financing innovation in the ERA -together with partners such as EIB, EIF, the European Commission (RSFF), EEN, EBAN-, and actors of the private innovation financing sector. Further joint efforts are needed to develop new financial instruments and fine-tune existing ones to make them more accessible and seamless to EUREKA/EUROSTARS projects participants, particularly to SMEs.
8. The Ministers welcomed EUREKA’s efforts to measure the impacts of its project portfolio on the European growth and welfare. The conceptual framework for evaluation and impact assessment, developed and approved during the Israeli and Hungarian Chairmanships has created a strong basis for future and concrete exercises in order to make the benefits of EUREKA visible by applying scientifically proven methodology.
9. The Ministerial Conference recognised the progress made by the Israeli and Hungarian Chairmanships in terms of strengthening the international dimension of EUREKA. In order to provide an appropriate framework to European industry to cooperate in a more simple and effective way with partners from Associated and NIP countries the Ministers approved the change of EUREKA project participation rules for a test phase of three years, and adopted a short amendment (Budapest Amended Rules) to the Hanover Declaration explaining that the minimum requirement for EUREKA projects of at least two EUREKA Member States has been changed into at least one Member State and one NIP and/or Associated country.
10. The Ministers welcomed the progress the Republic of Korea has made in R&D&I cooperation with the EUREKA Member States and endorsed the Mid-term Assessment Report. They also welcomed the renewal of the Partnership Agreement with the Republic of Korea, represented by Mr. Chung, Jae Hoon, Deputy Minister for Industrial Economic Policy for another 3 years.
11. Project Generation and portfolio of EUREKA projects
The Conference welcomed the increasing number of EUROSTARS projects within the overall EUREKA project portfolio and was particularly pleased by the very high proportion of R&D-performing SMEs among the participants in EUROSTARS projects. The Ministerial Conference announced 237 new individual projects with a total estimated budget of 296 M€, and 280 EUROSTARS projects, with a total estimated budget of 397 M€. The Conference also announced 92 new Cluster projects with a total estimated budget of 1286 M€. The total number of newly launched projects is therefore 609, with a total budget of 1979 M€.
12. Admission of a New Member
The Ministerial Conference welcomed Republic of Montenegro as a new EUREKA member, represented by Prof. Dr. Sanja Vlahovic, Minister of Science. The Conference encouraged the new member to contribute actively to the activities of the network.
13. Admission of a new Associate Country
The Ministerial Conference welcomed Canada, the new Associate Country, represented by Mr. John McDougall, President of National Research Council. The Conference encouraged Canada to contribute actively to the network activities.
14. Turkish Chairmanship Programme
The Ministerial Conference welcomed the programme of the incoming Turkish Chairmanship.
In line with the work programme of the previous chairmanship, the Hanover Declaration, the Strategic Roadmap and the midterm review of the Strategic Roadmap held under the Hungarian Chairmanship; the Turkish Chair will focus on empowering EUREKA as a “Global Platform for Co-opetitive Innovation”.
In view of this fact, the Turkish Chairmanship aims to set a clear International Cooperation Strategy which meets political and technical dimensions of different expansion scenarios. In line with the EUREKA Strategic Roadmap, the Turkish Chairmanship aims to introduce new tools for increasing the number of projects in cooperation with third countries, to proceed in negotiating with potential countries for the associated country status and to reconsider the position of the NIP countries.
In order to remain EUREKA as the preferred platform for innovation; the Turkish Chairmanship aims to create a common mind to tackle with the challenge of bottom-up projects, to empower Eurostars 2.0 as the preferred coopetitive platform for high-tech SMEs, and to make necessary attempts for the professionalization of the EUREKA Network as a whole.
In addition, the Turkish Chairmanship aims to foster more coopetition in the network by giving kick-start to new clusters and strengthening a structured dialogue with the inter-cluster committee.
As it is also clearly stated in the Strategic Road Map, EUREKA should enable financing innovation and follow-on activities with the aim to support access to innovation financing and provide a dedicated scheme under EUREKA at a European level. With this aim, the Turkish EUREKA Chairmanship is planning to carry out the work started under the Israeli Chair and continued under Hungarian Chair together with the Financing Innovation Working Group by improving innovative financial instruments and services for promoting EUREKA and Eurostars labelled SMEs within the VC ecosystem.
15. Future Chairmanships
The Ministerial Conference looked forward to the forthcoming Chairmanships of Turkey (July 2012 – June 2013) and Switzerland (July 2014 – June 2015).
16. Next Session of the Ministerial Conference
The Ministerial Conference thanked the Government of Turkey for taking over the next EUREKA Chairmanship.
The next session of the Ministerial Conference is scheduled in June 2014.
At the end of the meeting, Minister of State for National Economy, Prof. Dr. Zoltán Cséfalvay, formally passed the EUREKA Chairmanship to the Head of the Turkish Delegation, Deputy Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Prof. Dr. Davut Kavranoğlu, and expressed his best wishes to their Chairmanship term.