Conclusions from the Panel Discussion: 1. It is necessary to intensify personal relations between universities and enterprises. To do this it is recommended that business representatives are actively involved in university councils, and that councils of entrepreneurs are created within universities (at the faculty or college level). In addition, the periodic employment (in various forms) of academic researchers in enterprises as well as of enterprise employees in universities should be promoted – both in the areas of research and education. 2. A policy that supports intensive research and development cooperation between science and business, along with the commercialization of its results, is a prerequisite for increasing the efficiency of public R&D expenditure and for engaging in broad international cooperation. 3. The formation of productivity clusters of science-industry consortia organized around the productive use of specific local, regional, or national resources should be considered good practice. T hese clusters should serve as the foundation for national value creation networks. 4. Public support for foreign investors should be linked to their establishing research and development centers in our country. 5. To foster eco-innovation and sustainability, effective communication needs to be established during cooperation activities. This should be based on a language of benefits and values as each — 9 —9th edition of the conference “Innovative ideas of young scientists: Science – Start-up – Industry” stakeholder group understands eco-innovation and sustainable growth differently, with public administrations, NGOs, businesses, and consumers each holding different perspectives. Without improving environmental awareness among entrepreneurs and consumers, it will be difficult to successfully implement sustainable growth in Europe. It is necessary to avoid replacing one kind of dependency with another. 6. Two main factors are crucial for the development of a circular and competitive future for European industry. First, the industrial scale of the innovations needs to develop an enabling ecosystem. The required clear and predictable legislation, which plays a vital role in achieving this goal, should not only provide guidance, but also support the development of that future and remove bottlenecks to its achievement using such tools as risk minimization mechanisms, market-based incentives or the recognition of all recycling technologies. Second, it is necessary to create a demand for circular and low carbon innovations because these must be competitive to exist and survive on the market. Incentives need to be provided for circular materials, such as, for example, recycled critical raw materials or recycled plastics, by giving them priority in public procurement.
