The event is based on a priority of the Hungarian EUREKA Chairmanship which is to begin exploring the regional dimension of EUREKA. Such exploration is auspicious – at times of austerity alternative sources of funding need to be investigated more than ever. Regional funds, particularly the EU Cohesion Policy instruments, are a major source of financing that can complement other schemes. These instruments represent one-third of the total European Commission budget and, of that, 25% is dedicated to research, development and innovation activities. Last October, the European Commission drafted a new Cohesion Policy proposal to the Council and the Parliament for the 2014-2020 period.

To pave the way for EUREKA to become an active collaborative partner for regional stakeholders both at EU and national levels and to explore experience, best practice and possible future options for funding EUREKA projects, a EUREKA Academy conference has been planned.

There is no registration fee for this event, however numbers are limited; Registrations will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, visit: http://www.eurekanetwork.org/eureka_academy_registration or contact communications@eurekanetwork.org.

The EUREKA Secretariat looks forward to welcoming you and your contribution to the debate.

AGENDA

MODERATOR: Michel Andrieu, EUREKA Secretariat

10.00-10.30 REGISTRATION and coffee

10.30 WELCOME ADDRESS

· Introduction and scene setting by the Hungarian Chair - Sándor Erdő, High Level Group Chairman

SESSION ONE: EUREKA AND FUNDING IN THE REGIONS

· Hungarian Chair priorities – Nóra Jeney, Chair Coordination Support

· EUREKA regional facts and figures – Marek Zajac, Impact and Portfolio Analyst, ESE

COFFEE BREAK

SESSION TWO: EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S VIEWS ON FUNDING R&D IN REGIONS

· New regional policy proposal of the Commission for the period 2014-2020 with highlights on untapped potential and new policy features/orientations of interest to innovation and SMEs – Pierre Godin, Administrator, DG Regio, European Commission

· Smart Specialisation - Ignacio González Vázquez, Joint Research Center, IPTS, European Commission

· Regions for Knowledge in EU Seventh Framework Programme - Dimitri Corpakis, Head of Unit, DG RTD, European Commission

· Q&A

12.00 -13h30 LUNCH BREAK

SESSION 3: Practical examples of funding research FROM regional funds

· General introduction – Richard Tuffs, Director, ERRIN (European Regions Research and Innovation Network)

· Regional Funds and innovation in Hungary - Ignac Siba , Director General, National Development AgencySelection of regional experiences

o Hungarian regional experience - Norbert Grasselli, Director, Eszak-Alföld Regional Development and Innovation Agency

o Estonian regional experience - Urmas Uska, EUREKA National Project Coordinator, Estonia

o Spanish regional experience - Francisco Jiménez, Director IDEA (Innovation and Development Agency of Andalucia), European Programmes and International Cooperation

o French regional experience - Vincent Steinmetz, Director, Agence pour la Recherche et l’Innovation Champagne Ardenne

o German regional experience – Mathias Woiwode von Gilardi, Advisor EU Regional and Research Policy and Programmes

SESSION 4: FUTURE CHALLENGES/LESSONS - COOPERATION & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

· Presentation of the outcome of the NPC Network’s first survey on mapping collaboration of EUREKA actors with regional policy setting, implementation and funding actors – Michel Andrieu, Advisor to the Head of the EUREKA Secretariat

· Regional role of the European Enterprise Network (EEN)- Operations Eric Koch, Project Officer

SESSION 5: PANEL DEBATE

· Lessons to be shared, for example, further awareness raising and dialogues between NPCs and national authorities aimed at enabling EUREKA to become:

o an active collaborator of regional policy stakeholders, implementation and funding actors

o pro-active user of EU Structural Funds and non EU regional funding, and

o a player for the future definition of National Strategic Reference programmes and their subsequent Operational programmes.

WRAP-UP:

· Overall conclusions by the Hungarian Chairmanship

Source: e-mail by Piotr Pogorzelski
Marketing & Communication Assistant
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