Evolution | Innovation Forward’s Post

📍CluBE participated in the European Cluster Conference 2024 that took place in Brussels on 7-8 May. The conference aimed to highlight the vital role of clusters in advancing EU industrial priorities and to engage stakeholders in discussions on ongoing Commission initiatives. 🟩The conference addressed pivotal topics— the Green Transition, the Digital Transition and Resilience Building—providing a deep dive into key drivers like skills, funding, and technology. The conference raised awareness about the role of clusters, the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, and stimulated debates on clusters’ possible actions to shape the future of the EU Single Market. ✅Furthermore, the conference showcased the results of EU cluster initiatives under various funding opportunities, emphasizing the COSME/Single Market Programme support. It encouraged cooperation among clusters and members through matchmaking and networking initiatives. CluBE was represented by Dr George Ntalos and Mr Dimitris Silikas. #EuropeanClusterConference #EUIndustrialPriorities #GreenTransition #DigitalTransition #ResilienceBuilding #SkillsDevelopment #TechnologyInnovation #COSMEProgramme #NetworkingInitiatives #ClusterCooperation #BrusselsConference

EC funds Regional Innovation Valleys with €116 million 🎉 European Commission has designated 151 regions as Regional Innovation Valleys under the New European Innovation Agenda. These RIVs aim to enhance regional innovation ecosystems, bridge Europe's innovation gap, and boost overall innovation performance by connecting various regions with different innovation levels and their key innovation stakeholders. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eUuj7tmk #RIV #NEIA #innovation #EUInnovationEcosystems #I3Instrument

The future of European competitiveness is built on today’s investment in research and innovation. I welcome the clear messages of the Heitor Report. The Report recommends stimulating more industrial RD&I investment, underpinned by state-of-the-art Technology Infrastructures and many other important suggestions for the next months and years ahead.   At the Prosperity directorate we do our best to make this happen.

👏 Big kudos to #Austria from the European Commission at the 'European Research & Innovation Days' yesterday! Austria was hailed as a standout example of accelerated transition towards a climate-neutral and competitive #industry at the national level. This is largely attributed to the comprehensive measures the country has taken to drive the transformation forward.   Representing Austria at the event, Henriette Spyra, Director General Innovation & Technology at the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation & Technology, emphasized the holistic approach Austria has undertaken:   🔍 Generating Evidence: Scientific studies were conducted to quantify #decarbonisation needs across various industrial sectors. These studies served as the basis for developing concepts and roadmaps for industrial decarbonisation. (E.g. the study on #TransformIndustry https://lnkd.in/dnrJQV7U)   🤝 Collaborative Action Plan: The Austrian Ministry for Climate Action initiated a strategic dialogue with the country's top 11 industrial companies to discuss public and private measures supporting decarbonisation. One outcome of this dialogue was a joint action plan that helped shape demand-oriented public support programs.   💰 New Funding Instrument: As part of the Climate and Transformation Offensive, the Ministry for Climate Action established a new funding instrument for industrial transformation. Funding is available for research and innovation (via the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund), pilot projects and demonstrations, as well as investments in industrial facilities until 2030. In 2023, nine major projects for industrial transformation were already funded. These projects aim to significantly reduce CO2 emissions and accelerate the transition to a climate-neutral economy.   🌍 International Integration: Austria is actively engaged in industrial decarbonisation efforts both at the European and international levels. It leads NZIM - The Net-Zero Industries Mission and collaborates closely with other countries to promote the transition to a low-carbon industry.   💻 For more information on the European Research & Innovation Days 2024, visit: https://lnkd.in/dC7k3XWC.   💻 To learn more about joining the mission and ensuring your industry is a frontrunner in achieving industrial decarbonisation, contact us at ✉netzeroindustries@ait.ac.at or visit https://lnkd.in/gJ-69hY6.

Today, we are celebrating Europe Day! Held every 9th May to honor the union of its different member states. 74 years ago, the Schuman declaration was presented to boost cooperation, peace and unity in Europe, and eventually, it resulted in the creation of the European Union.  We would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of Europe as one of the world’s greatest innovation hubs. Since its early beginnings, Europe and the EU have been actively promoting research and innovation through specific initiatives. In fact, some of the world’s greatest innovation funding mechanisms are rooted in Europe:  -Horizon Europe, with a budget of €95.5 billion for the period from 2021 to 2027, to drive scientific and technological advancements in Europe.  -The European Innovation Council (EIC), with a budget of €10.1 billion. It supports game-changing innovations throughout their lifecycle. - The EIC Fund, with a budget of €10 billion. It provides patient capital to startups, SMEs, and small mid-caps across various domains, including health, energy, green, digital, and deep tech. -The Innovation Fund (IF) will also provide around €40 billion of support over 2021-2030, aiming to bring to the market industrial solutions to decarbonise Europe and support its transition to climate neutrality. -Eurostars, with an estimated budget of €1 billion (1B €) from 2021-2027. Finally, on this special day, we congratulate all European innovators and entrepreneurs for their impressive efforts and accomplishments.  #europeday #europe #innovation #EU

How to strive for a more innovative and sustainable European industry? That’s what ministers of competitiveness are discussing with Commissioner Iliana Ivanova in La Hulpe today, with Minister Willy Borsus chairing the meeting. 1/3 Ministers discuss how technological development can both accelerate industrial decarbonisation and strengthen the EU's competitiveness. The EU aims to be a key player in the sustainable innovation race, fostering its competitiveness and the leadership of its companies on the international stage. 2/3 The delegates discuss the future strategic EU approach through the European Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation. The Framework Programmes are set up with inputs of governments, industry, academia and society. The overarching aim is to generate a systemic and long-term impact on society, towards more sustainability and resilience. 3/3 Ministers debate how to stimulate intersectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration at every level: universities, research centres, the private sector, policymakers and citizens. This holistic and interconnected approach reflects the EU's commitment to addressing the complexities of the 21st century through collaborative, interdisciplinary, and ethically grounded initiatives. #EU2024BE

"Unleashing the full potential of the European #innovation ecosystem" - this was the title of a timely conference organised by the European University Association and the Hungarian Presidency on the day after the presentation of Mario Draghi's report on the future of European competitiveness (see my previous post). Here are 3️⃣ thoughts that emerged from the discussion with my fellow panelists Tor Hernes MANUEL IRUN MOLINA Annick Castiaux, PhD Barnabas Malnay, led by the moderator Kamila Kozirog 💡 #innovation ecosystems tend to be fragmented as a result of the concentration of innovation around geographic hubs. Such fragmentation may not in itself be a problem as long as 1) connections between ecosystems allow knowledge, talent and capital to move freely, 2) there is sufficient investment in building and strengthening innovation ecosystems in less developed regions, 3) the benefits of innovation are spread equitably. 💶 there is a need for better alignment of EU, national and regional #innovation policy and funding (both public and private). EU public funding of R&I makes up app. 10% of total public R&I funding in the EU - 90% coming from EU Member States. 🚀 smart specialisation by regions around breakthrough technologies most relevant for the EU's #competitiveness will be key to overcome the mid-technology trap (https://lnkd.in/eVEVkXmh) Anna Panagopoulou Alexandr Hobza Paweł Świeboda Michiel Scheffer Keith Sequeira Jekaterina Novikova Magda De Carli Ágota Dávid Natasa Kurucki Martin Kern Isidro Laso Ágota Dávid Luca Perego Catherine Wendt Paola Momoli Gerald CULTOT

"Exciting opportunity alert! 🌟 Join me at #ClustersMeetRegions and #ECCPMatchmaking event in Graz on June 18-19, 2024! 🗓️ Discover how Styria is leading the charge towards a climate-neutral, digital future while aligning with EU directives. Don’t miss out on panel discussions, interactive sessions, pitching opportunities, and site visits to key innovation hubs like AVL and ZWT Graz. Let's explore innovative shifts together! Check out the agenda and register now: https://lnkd.in/dUdhcqrm #Innovation #Networking"

The African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) have jointly adopted the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing the innovative capacities and achievements of researchers and innovators from both continents. This strategic partnership, supported by the Global Gateway, serves as the cornerstone of cooperation on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) between Africa and Europe for the next decade. Have you ever heard of the AU-EU Innovation Interface?

The first day of the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe 2024 has wrapped up with a give-and-take on how to strengthen #innovation ecosystems in EU regions. “Closer collaboration between #science and #industry is key to promoting innovation,” according to Marina Papageorgiou of the Cyprus-based Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East – Climate and Atmosphere Research (EMME-CARE) project, but she pointed out it is “not always easy to achieve.” COOPERATE, a project at the Eindhoven University of Technology involving counterparts in several other EU countries has been cited as a successful example of how to build strong regional relationships. Project coordinator Ntorina Antoni explains it provides a platform for #knowledge transfer and research #partnerships between leading #research institutions. With participants from over 20 countries gathered in Budapest for #WIRE24, the discussions continue tomorrow—stay tuned for more insights and success stories on the role of regions in overcoming the fragmentation of the European innovation ecosystem! Sponsored by NRDIO - National Research Development and Innovation Office (NKFIH)