Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2011)822 - Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): the contribution of the EIT to a more innovative Europe - Main contents
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| dossier | COM(2011)822 - Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): the contribution of the EIT to a ... |
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| source | COM(2011)822  |
| date | 30-11-2011 |
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has been set up by Regulation (EC) 294/2008 with the objective of contributing to sustainable economic growth and competitiveness by reinforcing the innovation capacity of the EU and its Member States via the full integration of the knowledge triangle. According to the provisions of the Regulation, and based on a draft proposal from the EIT, the Commission shall adopt before the end of 2011 a proposal for adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of the EIT Strategic Innovation Agenda, which will define long-term priority fields for the EIT, including an overview of the planned higher education, research and innovation activities, for a period of seven years.
The EIT submitted its first draft Strategic Innovation Agenda to the Commission before 30 June 2011.
Contents
The preparation of the proposal took account of the responses to the open public consultation on the EIT as well as the results of the open public consultation on the Common Strategic Framework for Research and Innovation Funding. Views were expressed by the Member States and a wide range of stakeholders from industry, academia and civil society. It showed a strong support to the mission of the EIT to drive more and better cooperation between the worlds of higher education, entrepreneurship, research and innovation. According to respondents, the EIT should play a distinctive role in Horizon 2020, the future EU Programme for Research and Innovation, and forge closer links with other European and national efforts. A majority of respondents praised the way in which the EIT ensures the participation of businesses in its work and urged the Institute to step up its outreach activities. Moreover, respondents considered business involvement as highly relevant for the future success of the EIT. Flexibility, clarity on rules and clear returns on investment are therefore fundamental in order to attract private sector participation.
The proposal also relies on the external evaluation report in which the concept of integrating the knowledge triangle, as well as the themes around which the EIT is structured, are regarded as highly relevant. There is much support for the model which has been developed by the EIT, based around long-term highly integrated networks of co-location centres. Respondents were also positive, and consistent, in their perspective that the merit of the KICs was to act as a catalyst for creating additional value from the activities which individual members already undertake on a more fragmented basis.
The proposal is based on Article 173(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). It builds on the provisions laid down in the EIT Regulation and complements the proposals included under the Horizon 2020 package.
The legislative financial statement attached to the proposal amending the Regulation establishing the EIT sets out the budgetary, human and administrative resource implications.