Last week marked the first anniversary of the Innovation Union flagship initiative, one of the cornerstones of the Europe 2020 strategy for growth and jobs, prompting the European Commission to summarise progress to date. A more comprehensive progress report is promised by the end of November.
Top of the list is the recognition of the importance of innovation and of the Innovation Union flagship initiative by the Member States. On 4 February 2011 - at the first European Council to place innovation at the top of the political agenda - EU leaders recognised the Innovation Union initiative as crucial for economic growth and backed a series of proposals designed to promote its formation.
Later in February came the announcement of Horizon 2020 the successor to Framework Programme 7 (FP7), with a pledge to increase investment in research, innovation and education under a single and simple framework. The Commission launched a wide consultation on major improvements to EU research and innovation funding to make participation easier, increase scientific and economic impact and improve value for money.
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