Innovation in motion: Supporting research and innovation in European SMEs
© www.eu-research-for-smes.oseo.fr/
- from: 15.09.2008
- to: 16.09.2008
- In: Paris, Ministry of the Economy, Centre de conférences Pierre Mendès France.
Innovative SMEs are at the heart of European economic growth and development. What can be done to improve and increase their access to research and innovation? This is the topic of the conference that will take place in Paris on 15 and 16 September.
At their meeting in Lisbon in March 2000, in response to the challenges posed by globalisation, European Heads of State and Government set the following strategic target: "To make the European Union the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world" by 2010. The development of research and innovation thus became one of the key priorities of the European Union and its Member States.
This conference has been organised by the French agency for supporting innovation and growth in SMEs, with the backing of the European Commission and the Ministry for the Economy, Industry and Employment, and in collaboration with the Ministry for Higher Education and Research.
It follows on from the debates conducted during the informal meeting of competitiveness ministers on 17 and 18 July 2008. The conference will be opened by Hervé Novelli, the French Minister of State for Trade, Craft Trades, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Tourism and Services, and by Janez Potočnik, the European Commissioner for Science and Research. Christine Lagarde, the French Minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment, will open the dinner before the conference. The debates will focus on the following question: "How can we consolidate the position of SMEs in research and development (R&D) and innovation programmes?" In particular, the discussion will examine the complementarity of R&D support systems and measures to improve the coordination of national policies and increase the participation of SMEs in Community programmes, while ensuring the best possible economic impact for the chosen research and innovation projects.
Nearly 300 European experts on research and innovation will debate these issues over a period of one and a half days. The aim is to discuss measures that could simplify and streamline the landscape and mechanisms for national, regional, Community and intergovernmental support. Another priority is to examine how we could "do better" for SMEs and ensure the best economic impacts for their research and innovation projects.
The aim of these discussions is to generate specific proposals that can act as guidelines for the future Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development Research and Technological Development and its links with other Community Programmes.
The projects and discussions will be largely based on accounts from SMEs, promoting the results of their programmes and also and above all expressing their hopes and needs. In this way, the experiences of European SMEs will be used to inform the discussions on these issues.
All practical information can be found on the web site www.eu-research-for-smes.oseo.fr/
- Updated: 26.11.2008
