Based on a broad concept of innovation and over 30 activities, the Innovation Union flagship initiative commits the EU to increase investment in research to 3% of GDP by 2020. Studies indicate that such investment could create 3.7 million jobs by 2025.
In this context, the Committee of the Regions organized the Conference “Europe 2020: Innovation Union” the 27th of November 2013 in Brussels. This conference brought together key representatives of EU institutions, Member States and regions to take stock of the implementation of the flagship initiative at regional level. Accompanied by an exhibition of good practice from Europe’s regions and cities, the event focused on:
- Smart specialisation strategies;
- Innovation, enterprises and jobs;
- Networking across borders;
- Open Innovation 2.0.
During the networking lunch, the participants met with experts to discuss and to provide an input into the afternoon thematic sessions together with facilitators from ERRIN, ENoLL, ELIG and the European Commission.
The conclusions of the conference will feed into the contribution of the Committee of the Regions’ mid-term assessment of the Europe 2020 strategy, to be presented on the occasion of the 6th European Summit of Regions and Cities on 7 and 8 March 2014 in Athens.
5 December 2013
