Leveraging Training Skills Development in SMEs

More...

Published At 29/12/2011 in: Technology Foresight

Integrating national innovation strategies to leverage the potential of the Baltic Sea region

More...

Published At 29/12/2011 in: Technology Watch

Competences supporting service innovation

EPISIS (European Policies and Instruments to Support Service Innovation) is a project under the PRO-INNO Europe initiative of the Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry. It promotes the development of service innovations at policy, strategic and operational levels through transnational cooperation between policy-makers and innovation agencies. The EPISIS Consortium consists of the leading European public authorities including Tekes (Finland, the Coordinator), BIS (the UK), DASTI (Denmark), PT-DLR (Germany) and VINNOVA (Sweden). The present report is a contribution to the Europe...

More...

Published At 27/12/2011 in: Technology Watch

Innovative Growth through Systems Integration and Glocalisation

This report presents the evaluation of five VINNVÄXT-initiatives: • Fiber Optic Valley • GöteborgBIO • New Tools for Health • ProcessIT Innovations • Triple Steelix The initiatives evaluated were the second generation of initiatives to be funded by the VINNVÄXT programme which commenced in 2004. The objective of the VINNVÄXT programme is to promote sustainable growth based on international competitiveness in regions, by developing the innovation system’s functionality, dynamics and efficiency in functional regions to an international level.   http://www.vinnova.se/up...

More...

Published At 27/12/2011 in: Technology Watch

Ready for an early Take Off?

This report presents the evaluation of four VINNVÄXT initiatives: • The Biorefinary of the Future • Peak Innovation • Printed Electronics Arena • Smart Textiles The initiatives evaluated were the third generation of initiatives to be funded by the VINNVÄXT programme which commenced in 2008, all selected to be in the early stages in the development as innovation systems. The objective of the VINNVÄXT programme is to promote sustainable growth based on international competitiveness in regions, by developing regional innovation system´s functionality, dynamics and efficiency ...

More...

Published At 27/12/2011 in: Technology Watch

High Street Review

More...

Published At 19/12/2011 in: Technology Watch

United Nations Climate Change Conference, Durban 2011

The United Nations Climate Change Conference, Durban 2011, will bring together representatives of the world's governments, international organizations and civil society. The discussions will seek to advance, in a balanced fashion, the implementation of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, as well as the Bali Action Plan , agreed at COP 13 in 2007, and the Cancun Agreements , reached at COP 16 last December. http://unfccc.int/2860.php

More...

Published At 30/11/2011 in: Technology Watch

Nordic and European investors joining forces to enhance impact of public initiatives

For the first time ever, a group of eleven leading Nordic and other European public investors came together at Grand Hotel in Stockholm on November 23, to agree on joint advice on EU and national policies for more effective financial instruments Presentations: http://www.nordicinnovation.org/news/nordic-and-european-investors-joining-forces-to-enhance-impact-of-public-initiatives/  

More...

Published At 30/11/2011 in: Technology Platform

Masdar City Plan (Adu Dhabi, UAE)

AlJazeera English published a video about Abu Dhabi’s Masdar city entitled “Abu Dhabi’s Masdar plan: behind the scenes at the green city”. Masdar City is an emerging global clean-technology cluster what aims to be one of the world’s most sustainable urban developments powered by renewable energy. http://www.masdarcity.ae/en/27/what-is-masdar-city-/

More...

Published At 23/11/2011 in: Technology Platform

Silikon Valley comes to UK (2011 edition)

As part of the annual Silicon Valley comes to the UK programme, a fantastic panel of speakers held a cross party parliamentary panel discussion at the Houses of Parliament, introduced by the Speaker, Rt. Hon John Bercow MP.     The session focused on how entrepreneurship impacts the economy and what's needed to stimulate and grow a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem. Speakers: Sherry Coutu, SVC2UK co-chair Peter Tufano, Dean of Said Business School at Oxford and Founder of Innovation Lab at Harvard Joi Ito, Head of MIT Media Lab Megan Smith, VP, Ne...

More...

Published At 23/11/2011 in: Technology Foresight

Where innovation lies

Where are the world's most innovative companies and what do they do? Companies that make semiconductors and other electronic components are collectively the most innovative industry, according to an analysis of patents carried out by Thomson Reuters, an information-services provider. Its "Top 100 Global Innovators" report rates companies by the proportion of their patent applications that are granted; the number of "quadrilateral" patents (those granted in China, Europe, Japan and America); how often patents are cited by other companies; and whether patents relate to new techniques o...

More...

Published At 23/11/2011 in: Technology Watch

Migration and global environmental change: future challenges and opportunities. Final project report

Main report from the Foresight 'Migration and global environmental change' project. Considers migration in the context of environmental change over the next 50 years. It examines global migration trends, and also internal migration trends particularly within low-income countries. See the browse subject ‘Migration and global environmental change’ for related papers http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/bispartners/foresight/docs/migration/11-1116-migration-and-global-environmental-change

More...

Published At 14/11/2011 in: Technology Foresight

Kauffman Foundation launches KCGigIdeas.com as an online platform for local innovators and the community at large

To support innovations and inspire idea sharing in response to the prospect of having Google's high-speed Internet services in the Kansas City area, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation today launched KCGigIdeas.com. The new website educates the community about Google Fiber and creates a dynamic conversation about new ideas, beginning with a video on the home page that illustrates what Google Fiber could mean to Kansas City. To learn more about the online platform, post ideas or become part of the conversation, visit www.kcgigideas.com .

More...

Published At 07/11/2011 in: Technology Watch

Kauffman Foundation launches KCGigIdeas.com as an online platform for local innovators and the community at large

To support innovations and inspire idea sharing in response to the prospect of having Google's high-speed Internet services in the Kansas City area, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation today launched KCGigIdeas.com. The new website educates the community about Google Fiber and creates a dynamic conversation about new ideas, beginning with a video on the home page that illustrates what Google Fiber could mean to Kansas City. To learn more about the online platform, post ideas or become part of the conversation, visit www.kcgigideas.com .

More...

Published At 07/11/2011 in: Technology Watch

Kauffman Foundation launches KCGigIdeas.com as an online platform for local innovators and the community at large

To support innovations and inspire idea sharing in response to the prospect of having Google's high-speed Internet services in the Kansas City area, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation today launched KCGigIdeas.com. The new website educates the community about Google Fiber and creates a dynamic conversation about new ideas, beginning with a video on the home page that illustrates what Google Fiber could mean to Kansas City. To learn more about the online platform, post ideas or become part of the conversation, visit www.kcgigideas.com .

More...

Published At 07/11/2011 in: Technology Watch

Using Evidence to Improve Social Policy and Practice

Perspectives on how research and evidence can influence decision making. The essays in this book give a good flavour of the work that is underway on the cutting edge of evidence and its uses. Each, in a different way, is trying to bridge the worlds of supply and demand. And each is trying to bring greater rigour, and challenge, to fields that may think they know more than they really do. http://www.nesta.org.uk/library/documents/EssayBookWeb.pdf

More...

Published At 02/11/2011 in: Technology Platform

Regions 2020: Assessment of impacts of biggest challenges facing Europe: globalisation, demographic change, climate change, and the energy supply.

'Regions 2020' provides a first prospective analysis of the likely regional impact of four of the biggest challenges facing Europe: globalisation, demographic change, climate change, and the energy supply . Using a series of indicators, the report maps out the degree of vulnerability of European regions to these challenges, and examines the potential disparities that these may generate across the EU. The findings of the report, produced by the Commission's Directorate-General for Regional Policy, will feed into the reflection process on the future European Cohesion Policy ...

More...

Published At 12/10/2011 in: Wellcome

OPEN DAYS 2011 opens EU Cohesion Policy to the World

EU Cohesion Policy is now widely recognised as a lever for stimulating global competitiveness across the EU at regional and local level, and is looked upon as a model worldwide for its principles of multilevel governance, long-term strategic vision ad local economic development. Open Days 2011 draws on this by bringing together stakeholders from around the globe to discuss the future of the policy. Some 5,000 participants will share best practices in cohesion policy implementation and learn from each other, as well as from national and regional policy makers, practitioners and representati...

More...

Published At 12/10/2011 in: Technology Foresight

Evaluation of Socio-Economic impact in the EU: Evidence from ERAWATCH

This document provides a review of key issues and of recent and current EU activities in the evaluation of socio-economic impact. Drawing on evidence from ERAWATCH1 as well as relevant literature, it examines the importance of intergovernmental learning in socio-economic evaluation, particularly in the context of preparation of the next Framework Programme and the construction of the Innovation Union http://ftp.jrc.es/EURdoc/JRC66340_TN_PB.pdf

More...

Published At 12/10/2011 in: Technology Platform

The dynamics of Europe's industrial structure and the growth of innovative firms

By putting research and innovation at the centre of the EU's Europe 2020 strategy for jobs and growth, the need for urgent action in the field of innovation has been recognised. In the light of the recently launched key initiatives of " Innovation Union " and an " Industrial Policy for the Globalised Era ", the CONCORD Conferences address the economics of corporate R&D and innovation and their impact on firms' productivity, efficiency, competitiveness, and employment. In this regard, CONCORD 2011 will focus on the dynamics of Europe's industrial structure and the growth of innovative firm...

More...

Published At 12/10/2011 in: Technology Watch

World Economic Forum: A need for a common understanding of innovation

The main question was how organizations should foster innovation across cultures, with strategic capabilities as drivers of innovation and headquarters versus subsidiary cultures as two of the dimensions addressed. Kristensen pointed out that for companies to be able to work operationally with innovation across national borders, it is essential to establish a common language when talking about and understanding innovation.He also highlighted the need for companies to broaden their horizon when it comes to innovation. - Companies do not necessarily take advantage of all the opportunities th...

More...

Published At 19/09/2011 in: Technology Foresight

Beyond the banks

The issue of funding for small business is perennial - and one that has attracted regular public policy initiatives. Back in 1931, the Macmillan committee on Finance and Industry identified a gap in the provision of long-term capital to smaller businesses, in the context of concern about whether British banks served domestic industry well enough. The result was the creation of the Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation to finance small businesses, a forerunner of 3i. While equity finance was the main theme of that initiative, the provision of credit by banks to business has topped t...

More...

Published At 13/09/2011 in: Technology Watch

Patient mobility in the Nordic Countries - Volume and obstacles

This study examines cross-border patient mobility between the four largest Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland), focusing in particular on planned treatment within specialised healthcare services.  It does this in three broad ways: (i) an examination of the regulatory environment and main patterns of cross-border patient mobility at the EU-level; (ii) an analysis of legislation, estimated numbers of cross-border patients and the barriers to patient mobility at a national-level; (iii) case studies presenting data on cross-border cooperation, the extent of patient ...

More...

Published At 24/08/2011 in: Health & Nutrition

People Powered Health

People Powered Health is a new programme from NESTA, working with the Innovation Unit, to support the design and delivery of innovative services for people that are living with long term health conditions.   Over the next fifteen months, we will be providing investment and support to partnerships of commissioners, providers and consumers of health and social care services to develop new ways of achieving better outcomes for people living with long term health conditions and reducing the pressure on health services. The programme focuses on co-production - that people's needs ar...

More...

Published At 24/08/2011 in: Technology Foresight

The Millennium Project releases the 2011 State of the Future Report ,15th Annual Edition

The 2011 State of the Future Report finds the world is getting richer, healthier, better educated, living longer, and is more peaceful and better connected; yet half the world is potentially unstable. Food prices are rising, water tables are falling, corruption and organized crime is increasing, environmental viability for life support is diminishing, debt and economic insecurity are increasing, climate change continues, and the gap between the rich and poor is widening dangerously. The world is in a race between implementing ever-increasing ways to improve the human condition and the seemi...

More...

Published At 02/08/2011 in: Technology Watch

World Bank e-Institute

This unique global portal is designed to support self-motivated learners who want to get up to speed on the latest development trends, enhance their skills, and share knowledge through on-line learning communities One of the greatest challenges facing today’s development practitioners is the dearth of affordable, innovative, and practitioner-focused training on the “how to” of policy reform and proven good practices customized to local needs. Tight training budgets and time constraints preclude travel to a central location for high quality, hands-on learning. The e-Institute was launched a...

More...

Published At 15/07/2011 in: Technology Platform

Priority areas for the next waves of knowledge and innovation communities. Exploration of critical success factors, alternative options and characteri

 In support of the Strategic Innovation Agenda of the EIT this brief proposes potential priority areas for future waves of Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), using a two level approach. Two general potential priority areas (level 1) are proposed: sustainability through integrated design, production and consumption; and services through ICT. These general proposals are then more closely aligned with possible areas of application (level 2), leading to seven more specific proposals for priority areas. The proposals are based on a Web 2.0 consultation of the research communities in Euro...

More...

Published At 15/07/2011 in: Technology Watch

The Innovation Policy Saga 2006-2016

ITIF is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year. Whatever contributions ITIF has made in enhancing public awareness of innovation’s central role in our economic health and in shaping public policies to improve U.S. capacity to innovate and compete, we have just begun. Whether the U.S. can marshal its formidable resources and talent to prevail in today’s innovation-driven and competitive world remains an open question. Dr. John Lechleiter, President and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, will offer keynote remarks on the urgency of closing America’s innovation deficit. Following his remarks, d...

More...

Published At 04/07/2011 in: Technology Platform

Regions and Innovation Policy

Regions and Innovation Policy addresses the needs of national and regional governments for greater clarity on how to strengthen the innovation capacity of regions. The first part of the book examines strategies, policies and governance, explaining why regions matter, what makes smart policy mixes, and multilevel governance.  The second part of the book looks at agencies, instruments and country information, showing how agencis can maximize their impact and what policy instruments work. The final chapter provides country-by-country summaries of what countries are doing. www.oecd.org/gov...

More...

Published At 28/06/2011 in: Technology Foresight

Digital Agenda Scoreboard

The Digital Agenda is Europe's strategy for a flourishing digital economy by 2020. It outlines policies and actions to maximise the benefit of the Digital Revolution for all. http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/digital-agenda/scoreboard/index_en.htm

More...

Published At 10/06/2011 in: Technology Watch

The plan for growth (UK)

http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_growth.pdf

More...

Published At 10/06/2011 in: Technology Foresight

Conference “European Cooperation Growing Smart”

The scope Territorial cooperation programmes are expected to actively contribute to innovation and the Lisbon goals. These aims have recently been re-launched and strengthened by Europe 2020, an ambitious strategy and reform programmes for Europe with innovation as one of the key drivers. Innovation can happen within all types of thematic fields and economic sectors. It is often – but not exclusively – driven by research and technology development such as increased energy efficiency or new health services through innovative use of ICT. It can also be driven by non-technological factors,...

More...

Published At 03/06/2011 in: Technology Platform

Cluster scoreboard

http://www.clusterobservatory.eu/common/galleries/downloads/Smart_Specialisation_Analysis_Region_Report.pdf

More...

Published At 03/06/2011 in: Technology Foresight

Integrated Innovation Policy for an Integrated Problem: Addressing Climate Change, Resource Scarcity and Demographic Change to 2030

http://www.europe-innova.eu/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=122732&name=DLFE-12106.pdf

More...

Published At 30/05/2011 in: Wellcome,Technology Watch

"Public Services as a platform for giving".

There is huge potential in developing new innovative ways of giving. Over the past three years, NESTA has been working with a wide network of partners to understand and develop new approaches. A particular focus for our work has been around the concept of reciprocal exchange - ways for people and organisations to give their resources, assets, skills and time, not just money, to help meet social needs. We have worked closely with the Cabinet Office to explore these insights and help inform government policy. The proposals in the Giving White paper - particularly the Social Action Fund with ...

More...

Published At 25/05/2011 in: Technology Foresight

Civic Economy

Against the context of rapid economic, social and environmental change, a collective reflection is taking place on how to build more sustainable routes to share prosperity. In the meantime, an increasing number and wide range of change-makers have already found ways to imagine and grow a different economy in our cities, towns, neighbourhoods and villages. This publication presents 25 case studies of the civic economy - rooted in age-old traditions of the associational economy but using new organising tactics, ways of connecting with people and approaches to collaborative investment. The...

More...

Published At 17/05/2011 in: Technology Foresight

The good, bad and ugly of innovation policy

Innovation has become the central driver of economic growth and thus a key focal point of countries’ economic development strategies as they seek to gain competitive advantage. Accordingly, countries are increasingly designing national innovation strategies that seek to coordinate their policies toward skills, scientific research, information and communications technologies (ICTs), tax, trade, intellectual property, government procurement, standards, and regulations in an integrated approach designed to drive economic growth through innovation. While a focus on innovation is positive, countri...

More...

Published At 02/05/2011 in: Technology Watch

State of Uncertainty: Innovation policy through experimentation,

NESTA Provocations are independent essays by thinkers that showcase thought-provoking work on innovation. In our latest Provocation, State of Uncertainty: Innovation policy through experimentation , Jason Potts, Alan Freeman and I, writing in our personal capacities, call on the government to adopt a radically new approach to supporting innovation.   Our starting point is that uncertainty about future opportunities and constraints is the most important barrier to entrepreneurship. Innovation policy, we suggest, would work better if it were directed to the task of reducing this unce...

More...

Published At 29/04/2011 in: Technology Watch

Unleashing the transformative power of services

http://web22.abiliteam.com/ability/show/khcichp/vinnova20110413/speed.asp VINNOVA in cooperation with DG Enterprise & Industry, The Swedish Ministry of Enterprise, Energy & Communications, The Swedish Agency for Growth Analysis and The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, will show you the new service innovation trend – where service innovation has a catalytic role in shaping new markets and create new business opportunities.   VINNOVA has participated in DG Enterprise and Industry’s Expert Panel on Service Innovation in the EU comprising 20 members from 15 countries. Th...

More...

Published At 18/04/2011 in: Technology Watch

Social Capital and the notion of Big Society (citizens participation in governance)

Two pioneering research reports which address significant gaps in the evidence base for the development of the social investment market and shine a light on how the market can be developed are published today by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA).   The research, which examines investors' interest in social investment (research conducted by The Fairbanking Foundation and Ipsos MORI) and the demand for capital amongst social enterprises (research conducted by New Philanthropy Capital), is critical to understanding what is required to develop the emergin...

More...

Published At 11/04/2011 in: Technology Foresight

Innovation in the public sector

Innovation in the public sector is a challenging but pressing task, hindered, not least by the lack of available data. The capacity for measurement of innovation in the public sector is an important development in supporting public sector innovation both in terms of organisational measures and sector performance. NESTA has taken up the challenge as part of the Innovation Index. This report presents the findings from our pilot project developing a survey tool for measuring innovation in the public sector. The survey was piloted across two parts of the public sector: the NHS and Local Governm...

More...

Published At 31/03/2011 in: Technology Watch

Αυτός ο Ελληνας, ο μικρός ο μέγας!

More...

Published At 28/03/2011 in: Spin off Creation

Κίνητρα για τη δημιουργία νέων και καινοτόμων επιχειρήσεων ύψους 30 εκ. ευρώ

Πρόγραμμα – σημείο αναφοράς για την καινοτομική επιχειρηματικότητα προωθεί το Υπουργείο Περιφερειακής Ανάπτυξης και Ανταγωνιστικότητας, στο πλαίσιο της υλοποίησης της διακηρυγμένης πολιτικής του προτεραιότητας. Το πρόγραμμα «Νέα Καινοτομική Επιχειρηματικότητα», ύψους 30 εκ. Ευρώ παρέχει κίνητρα σε κάθε πολίτη άνω των 18 ετών που επιθυμεί να ιδρύσει επιχείρησή μετατρέποντας την ιδέα του σε επιχειρηματική καινοτομία και ενισχύει υφιστάμενες μικρές ή πολύ μικρές, καθώς και νεοσύστατες επιχειρήσεις να αναπτύξουν καινοτόμα προϊόντα, υπηρεσίες κ.α. Με το πρόγραμμα ενισχύονται έργα προϋπολογισ...

More...

Published At 24/03/2011 in: Spin off Creation

The Forgotten Half

Graduate unemployment has repeatedly hit the headlines since the start of the recession. Yet it is the 50 per cent of young people who do not go to university that are the least protected in the labour market. Even those who manage to find work are at greater risk of future unemployment, have little opportunity for career progression and face static wages. The Forgotten Half explores the school to work transitions of these young people. It finds the educational offer is severely lacking and makes recommendations for how to provide the employment premiums that will give this forgotten ha...

More...

Published At 17/03/2011 in: Technology Watch

Webchat with Commissioner Hahn

  Do you have a question or comment about the way EU cohesion policy should be organised in the future?  Where should be resources be targeted?  What should be the priorities?  How can we monitor progress? Commissioner Hahn will be making himself available on 21 March from 3-4pm (Brussels time) to chat on-line about future EU cohesion policy.  This live web chat will form part of the broader consultation process launched by the European Commission's Fifth Cohesion Report . If you would like to follow or participate in the web chat with Commissioner Hahn, all you need to do is: ...

More...

Published At 10/03/2011 in: Technology Foresight

Meeting the challenge of Europe 2020. The transformative power of service innovation

Report and recommendations of the Expert Panel on Service Innovation in the EU The report ‘ Meeting the challenge of Europe 2020. The transformative power of service innovation ’ addresses the potential of services to transform whole sectors of the EU economy and demonstrates how service innovations can address wider societal challenges such as the aging population, welfare services under pressure, climate change and sustainable growth. In the report, the Expert Panel proposes a set of high-level recommendations. The recommendations address five main themes that the Expert Pan...

More...

Published At 21/02/2011 in: Technology Foresight

The role of the EIT in the education landscape : Presentations available

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology held its first EIT Education conference "The role of the EIT in the education landscape” in Leuven on 2-3 December 2010. The conference was hosted by the Katolieke Universiteit Leuven and attracted around 130 leading representatives of higher education institutions, research centres, innovative businesses and politics from Europe and beyond. http://eit.europa.eu/activities/education/eit-education-conference.html

More...

Published At 14/02/2011 in: Technology Watch

Innovation America

www,innovationamerica.us

More...

Published At 31/01/2011 in: Technology Watch

World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2011 ( Davos) : Presentations and videos available

http://www.livestream.com/worldeconomicforum

More...

Published At 31/01/2011 in: Wellcome

Annual Innovation Report

A key component of the report is NESTA’s Innovation Index project. The Index measures the investment in intangible assets and demonstrates the importance of these investments in driving economic growth. Some key findings of the report: Despite a 2.5% fall in business R&D in 2009, businesses continued to spend £15.5bn. This represents 1.1% of UK GDP Investment in intangibles was £140bn in 2008, 14% of private sector output. These investments accounted for nearly a quarter of average annual labour productivity growth between 2000 and 2008. Overall innovation accounted...

More...

Published At 28/01/2011 in: Technology Watch

Measuring wider framework conditions for successful innovation

Measuring wider framework conditions for successful innovation: A system’s review of UK and international innovation data is a comprehensive review of the data for measuring the wider conditions for successful innovation using the functional model of the innovation system as presented in the pilot Index in 2009. The report considers the relative strengths and weaknesses of current data, highlighting where gaps in the measurement of the conditions exist. Each section concludes with proposals for new data to address the gaps identified. http://www.nesta.org.uk/library/documents/Measur...

More...

Published At 28/01/2011 in: Technology Watch

Driving economic growth

Driving Economic Growth: Innovation, knowledge spending and productivity growth in the UK presents the latest data on investments in intangible assets and the contribution to productivity growth. The report is based on a modification of the pilot Index published in 2009, providing greater accuracy in the measurement of the investments in intangibles and the contribution t productivity growth. The report includes an industry breakdown highlighting the importance of manufacturing in overall productivity growth as well as the share of investments in intangibles within consumer and business...

More...

Published At 28/01/2011 in: Technology Watch

Evaluation of the websites of the Managing Authorities that administer EU Structural Funds

Technopolis recently completed a comprehensive assessment of the websites of the several hundreds of national and regional agencies, the so-called Managing Authorities, which administer the distribution of the EU's Structural and Cohesion Funds. With an annual investment exceeding EUR 40 billion, the Structural and Cohesion Funds account for over one third of the overall EU-budget.  They are used to tackle regional disparities throughout Europe, upgrading infrastructure and telecommunications, developing human resources and augmenting investment in research and innovation. DG Regio has ...

More...

Published At 26/01/2011 in: Technology Platform

Policy Instruments for Regional Innovation: Innovation Vouchers

  http://www.technopolis-group.com/resources/downloads/Innovation_Voucher_for_OECD.pdf Innovation vouchers, as innovation instruments taking the form of a coupon and entitling the owner to approach a knowledge institution, have recently become an increasingly popular way for states and regional bodies to support business innovation activities. This is particularly true for European countries, where the number of innovation vouchers schemes has literally exploded. Prior to 2006, only a handful of innovation voucher schemes existed in Europe but since then, more than 20 new pub...

More...

Published At 26/01/2011 in: Technology Platform

The future of food and farming

Rebranded "Policy Learning database" has three new project case studies

 

More...

Published At 19/01/2011 in: Technology Platform

Η επιχειρηματικότητα την εποχή της κρίσης: Η έκθεση του ΙΟΒΕ για το 2009-2010

 Η ρηχότητα, η εσωστρέφεια και η μικρή συμβολή στην απασχόληση παραμένουν βασικά χαρακτηριστικά της επιχειρηματικότητας στην Ελλάδα, αν και περίπου 1,6 εκατ. άτομα αναπτύσσουν επιχειρηματική δράση. Παράλληλα, χαημηλές είναι οι επιδόσεις των επιχειρήσεων όσον αφορά την καινοτομία και τις νέες τεχνολογίες. Αυτά είναι μερικά από τα βασικά συμπεράσματα της έκθεσης "Η Επιχειρηματικότητα στην Ελλάδα 2009-2010. Αναζητώντας διέξοδο από την κρίση" του Ιδρύματος Οικονομικών και Βιομηχανικών Ερευνών (ΙΟΒΕ). Η έκθεση, η οποία παρουσιάστηκε πρόσφατα, αποτελεί την έβδομη περιοδική έκδοση του ΙΟΒΕ στο πλαίσ...

More...

Published At 14/01/2011 in: Technology Watch

Megacities on the move

For the first time in history more than half the world’s population is living in towns and cities. We passed this milestone in 2008 and by 2040 two in three people are expected to live in urban environments. Urbanisation presents us with a wealth of new opportunities and huge challenges. It has the potential to further economic development and innovation, but also threatens to exacerbate key global problems, including resource depletion, climate change, and inequality. Megacities on the move sets out to find solutions to one of the biggest challenges – how billions of city-dwellers ca...

More...

Published At 12/01/2011 in: Energy and Enviroment

Σταθερή βελτίωση της καινοτομίας στην Ελλάδα σύμφωνα με τον "Ελληνικό Χάρτη Καινοτομίας 2010"

Σταθερή βελτίωση των επιδόσεων της Ελλάδας στην καινοτομία αποτυπώνει ο "Ελληνικός Χάρτης Καινοτομίας 2010", η έκθεση του Κέντρου Καινοτομίας της Microsoft, που εκδόθηκε για δεύτερη συνεχή χρονιά υπό την εποπτεία του Δρ Δημήτρη Δενιόζου. Η Ελλάδα εντάσσεται στην ομάδα των μέτριων καινοτόμων χωρών της Ευρώπης, με σημαντική πρόοδο σε τομείς όπως οι δαπάνες για βιομηχανικό σχεδιασμό, η αγορά εξοπλισμού, η κατάρτιση προσωπικού, οι επενδύσεις στην ευρυζωνικότητα και η υιοθέτηση οργανωτικών και εμπορικών καινοτομιών. Χαμηλοί είναι δείκτες στην παραγωγή και διάδοση της γνώσης, τη συμμετοχή στις διαδ...

More...

Published At 03/01/2011 in: Technology Watch

Report on policy cooperation in Europe outlines real achievements but warns of risks ahead

As Europe embarks on a new strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth (Europe 2020), Cedefop’s new policy report, A bridge to the future: European policy for vocational education and training 2002-10 looks at how the Copenhagen process for enhanced cooperation in vocational education and training has affected vocational education and training reform over the past eight years. The report was launched at the ministerial meeting of the Belgian presidency in Bruges on 7 December. Eight years of voluntary cooperation between countries, social partners and the European Commission ha...

More...

Published At 20/12/2010 in: Wellcome

Ninth ETAP forum on financing eco-innovators: specificities and perspectives

The ninth forum on eco-innovation of the Environmental technologies action plan (ETAP) was organised in Brussels on 29 and 30 November. This edition focused on “Financing the eco-innovators”, looking at analysis and experiences from both financed and financing organisations. This ninth forum focus was on how to improve access to finance, particularly in the early stages. Its objective was to identify and discuss the challenges faced by financial actors and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In particular, it aimed at providing recommendations to feed into the design of EU programme...

More...

Published At 08/12/2010 in: Technology Foresight,Energy and Enviroment

Νέα ιστοσελίδα για τη στρατηγική " Ευρώπη 2020"

  http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/index_en.htm

More...

Published At 26/11/2010 in: Technology Watch

Public consultation on cohesion policy

A public consultation on economic, social and territorial cohesion has been launched by the European Commission. The consultation aims to collect ideas and contributions on the question of how the Union's cohesion policy should adapt to new challenges and how its delivery can be improved in order to maximise its impact in the future. It will help to shape the Commission's proposals on the future of the policy. Read more

More...

Published At 18/11/2010 in: Technology Foresight

Organizing for Innovation: Annual Lecture

Ian Davis, Managing Director Emeritus of McKinsey & Company http://www.nesta.org.uk/video

More...

Published At 12/11/2010 in: Technology Watch

Radical Efficiency- Practical Guide

Radical efficiency is all about different, better and lower cost public services. It is about innovation that delivers much better public outcomes for much lower cost. The content of this booklet has been drawn from the full report Radical Efficiency: Different, Better, Lower Cost Public Services published by NESTA and the Innovation Unit, June 2010. This booklet outlines a constructive way to make between 20-60 per cent cost savings and improve outcomes for service users at the same time – radical efficiency. It is not simply about improving current services, but creating new and d...

More...

Published At 12/11/2010 in: Technology Platform

High-Level Panel on Innovation Measurement

The EC's High Level Panel on the Measurement of Innovation which includes UNU-MERIT scholars Bronwyn Hall and Hugo Hollanders, has delivered its final report to the Commission. The Panel concluded that there is an urgent need to improve data availability and the breadth and quality of indicators to measure and monitor innovation performance, ranging from technological innovation to other forms of innovation (e.g. public sector innovation). It explored two options: a list of three immediately available indicators (based on patent applications, the contribution of medium-high-tech and high-tech...

More...

Published At 05/11/2010 in: Wellcome

Innovate2010: Videos available

http://www.innovate10.co.uk/live/

More...

Published At 01/11/2010 in: Technology Watch

Study on the development of diagnoses and regional innovation strategies in the French regions under the ERDF Operational Programmes for the 2007 – 20

The aim of this study was to analyse the development of diagnostics and of the Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS), and more particularly to examine: the process of developing and adapting the RIS in the regions, and the chosen methods of governance; - the main developments or reorientations in relation to the initial situation in 2007, and how the process and its constitutive elements may have contributed; the main conclusions drawn from the RIS exercise, particularly with a view to the mid-term review of the ERDF operational programmes. Foreword - Summary - Synthesis...

More...

Published At 29/10/2010 in: Wellcome

'Collaborative Consumption: Re-imagining public services'

NESTA's 'Collaborative Consumption: Re-imagining public services' event on 21 October brought together policy makers, public services practitioners, third sector organisations, digital media companies and others to stimulate debate about the rise in collaborative consumption in the UK. http://www.nesta.org.uk/events/assets/events/collaborative_consumption_re-imagining_public_services

More...

Published At 27/10/2010 in: IT & Multimedia

Smart21 Communities of 2011

The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) announced its list of the Smart21 Communities of 2011. The list includes communities from 12 nations. There are six communities from the USA, four from Canada, two from China and one each from the UK, Brazil, Netherlands, Australia, France, India, Hungary, Taiwan and Greece. The Smart21 of 2011 are: Birmingham, UK Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA Chongqing, China Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil Dakota County, Minnesota, USA Danville, Virginia, USA Dublin, Ohio, USA Eindhoven, Netherlands Ipswich, Qu...

More...

Published At 25/10/2010 in: Wellcome

Personalized Health Manifesto Unveiled at Translational Medicine Alliance Forum in Washington

Despite the promise of a new era of health care in which medicine has shifted from treating conditions to emphasizing prevention fueled by individualized care, a significant gap remains in realizing its benefits because of outmoded attitudes, protocols and procedures targeted for treating mass populations. Such is the core argument and motivation behind the “Personalized Health Manifesto,” released today to kick off the 2010 Translational Medicine Alliance Forum (TMAF) at the Mandarin Oriental. Written by journalist and best-selling author David Ewing Duncan and funded by the Ewing Mario...

More...

Published At 14/10/2010 in: Health & Nutrition

Citizens University

Idea : We believe that every community benefits when it contains the skills needed to deal with everyday crises and pressures. We need professionals to deal with the most difficult problems. But widely spread skills can play a hugely important role in helping communities to be healthy, safe and happy. The Citizens’ University has been developed as a novel way of providing citizens with the skills and confidence they need to help others. Its aim is to reduce unnecessary deaths, reduce the risk of violence, and strengthen communities’ capacity to act for themselves. The Citizens’ Unive...

More...

Published At 08/10/2010 in: Technology Watch

Regional Innovation Monitor Launch and Networking Event

  Technopolis extends an open invitation to attend the Policy Workshop, forming part of the REGIONAL INNOVATION MONITOR  Launch and Networking Event at the Regional Office of Silesia in Brussels on Tuesday, 26 October 2010. Participants from regional and local authorities, European institutions, regional networks, other EU innovation initiatives, as well as practitioners and experts in the field of regional development and innovation from all EU countries will benefit from attending - please click here to register and download further programme details . Why some regions have been gr...

More...

Published At 30/09/2010 in: Wellcome

The Wall Street Journal 2010 Technology Innovation Awards

—Does the innovation break with conventional ideas or processes in its field? —Does it go beyond marginal improvements on something that already exists? —Will it have a wide impact on future technology in its field or in other fields?

More...

Published At 28/09/2010 in: Wellcome

European Ecotourism Conference, Parnu, Estonia

European Ecotourism Conference, Parnu, Estonia -->   The European Ecotourism Conference will take place from 26 to 30 September 2010 in Parnu, Estonia. Ecotourism has been gaining in popularity in recent years, with increased demand from visitors and tourists who want to travel in ways that have a minimum impact on an area. Part of the thinking is that this better preserves fragile or ecologically sensitive areas for others and the future. The conference theme is 'Balancing sustainability and pr...

More...

Published At 24/09/2010 in: Tourism

EU Regional Competitiveness Index 2010

The joint project between DG Joint Research Centre and DG Regional Policy on the construction of the EU Regional Competitiveness Index (RCI) aims at producing a composite indicator which measures the competitiveness of European regions at the NUTS 2 level for all EU Member States. The concept of competitiveness has been largely discussed over the last decades. A broad notion of competitiveness refers to the inclination and skills to compete, to win and retain position in the market, increasing market share and profitability, thus, being commercially successful. The concept of regional competi...

More...

Published At 20/09/2010 in: Wellcome

Bitter taste of grapefruit could offer sweet relief for diabetics

EU-funded scientists have discovered that the antioxidant naringenin derived from the bitter flavour of grapefruits and other citrus fruits could potentially help diabetes sufferers. They claim it may cause the liver to break down fat while increasing insulin sensitivity. EU support for the research, presented in the journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) ONE, came from the TMIHCV ('Microfabrication-Based rational design of transcriptional-metabolic intervention for the treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection') project, which received just under EUR 2 million from the Ideas Programme...

More...

Published At 14/09/2010 in: Health & Nutrition

Innovation Strategies for a Global Economy

Fred Gault’s book on Innovation Strategies for a Global Economy is now available for purchasing. Full title: Innovation Strategies for a Global Economy: Development, Implementation, Measurement and Management Innovation provides a path to sustainable growth but a strategy for innovation in a global economy is no longer national. Countries must attract people and investment from abroad and participate in world markets and institutions. This book starts with the language and system framework used to discuss innovation, and the statistical indicators needed to describe the activity. It the...

More...

Published At 02/09/2010 in: Technology Watch

Capital Ideas and Scaling New Heights

The Young Foundation and the Center for American Progress have published two reports written by Young Foundation Director Geoff Mulgan and Jitinder Kohli, Senior Fellow at the Centre for American Progress. Capital Ideas: How to generate innovation in the public sector   Scaling New Heights: How to Spot Small Successes in the Public Sector and Make Them Big Launched at an event with Judith Rodin, president of the Rockefeller Foundation and John Podesta, one of Obama's key advisers and President of the Center for American Progress , the reports arg...

More...

Published At 24/08/2010 in: Technology Watch

Innobarometer ranks five EU member states on top innovation league

The Innobarometer, whose 2009 edition was released in March, places Denmark, Germany, Finland, Sweden ant the UK above the EU average when it comes to innovation performance. All of them are however overcome by Switzerland. A detailed country profile is shown for each country including the relative strengths and weaknesses in innovation performance and its main drivers of innovation growth. For each country detailed data tables are available from the INNO Metrics website ( http://www.proinno-europe.eu/metrics )

More...

Published At 28/07/2010 in: Wellcome

Impacts of the EU biofuel target on agricultural markets and land use: a comparative modelling assessment

The Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) requires that 20% of the EU's energy needs should come from renewable sources by 2020, and includes a target for the transport sector of 10% from biofuels. This report analyses and discusses the global impacts of this biofuel target on agricultural production, markets and land use, as simulated by three agricultural sector models, AGLINK-COSIMO, ESIM and CAPRI. The impacts identified include higher EU production of ethanol and biodiesel, and of the crops used to produce them, as well as more imports of both biofuels. Trade flows of biofuel feedstock...

More...

Published At 13/07/2010 in: Technology Watch,Argiculture & Food

The 2010 Government of the Future Summit Convenes

Convening just two days before the June European Council, the Government of the Future Summit convened under the timely theme of ‘Exiting the Crisis: Citizens, Society and State Transformation in the 21st Century.’ Organised by the Lisbon Council, in collaboration with the College of Europe and Accenture, the summit brought together senior government and civil service leaders to explore key themes such as innovation in the public sector and providing more and better services despite strained government finances.  The summit was kicked off by Pier Carlo Padoan, deputy secretary-general and c...

More...

Published At 12/07/2010 in: Wellcome

Electricity grid progressively more intelligent

The replacement value of electricity distribution networks in Finland is about EUR 15 billion and annual investment in them is some EUR 550 million. Current investment is already oriented towards future needs, such as real-time data and grid flexibility. “Most of our electricity networks were built in the 1960s and 1970s. The lifetimes of their main components are about 40 years so the networks are approaching their period of overhaul,” says senior engineer Mika Matikainen of the Energy Market Authority. “This puts us in an enviable situation. By investing wisely, we can ensure that...

More...

Published At 06/07/2010 in: Technology Watch

IBM convened forward-thinking leaders in Shanghai, China, to explore how we can build smarter city systems

Hosted by IBM Chairman, President and CEO Samuel J. Palmisano, SmarterCities Shanghai offered an unprecedented opportunity to hear from enterprising leaders who are enlisting public support, securing funding, locating the right partners and fast-forwarding approvals to make their cities more efficient, more productive and—in a word—smarter. Approximately 800 leaders from 180 cities in 38 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas gathered to explore how to transform critical components of their cities to become more resilient, more sustainable and more ...

More...

Published At 01/07/2010 in: Technology Platform

Belgian Report on Science Technology and Innovation 2010

Technopolis Group (Belgium) has co-ordinated the drafting and edited a new publication on science, technology and innovation policy in Belgium for the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO). Launched to coincide with the start on 1 July 2010 of the six-month Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union , the publication gives a detailed insight into the design and delivery of STI policy in a multi-level governance context (federal, regional and language community governments). A concluding chapter sets out a series of common challenges for Belgian STI policy in the perspec...

More...

Published At 01/07/2010 in: Technology Foresight

Engineering talent for a new era

Behind every product, machine or facility in the marketplace—from a new tablet computer to a state-of-the art manufacturing plant to the package on the grocery store shelf—stands the engineering talent that made it happen. Across a range of industries, including products, automotive, resources, industrial equipment and high tech, engineering capabilities have become increasingly critical to driving growth through innovation and new-product development. Companies face intense competitive pressure to speed products to market faster, putting a strain on traditional engineering workforces and ...

More...

Published At 29/06/2010 in: Technology Foresight

Structural funds 2007-2013 : Regional Analysis

Downoload the report which identifies significant facts about the Halth sector and Structural Funds http://ec.europa.eu/health/health_structural_funds/docs/watson_report.pdf

More...

Published At 29/06/2010 in: Technology Watch

Different, better, lower cost public services

'Radical efficiency' is about different, better and lower cost public services. It is about innovation that delivers much better public outcomes for much lower cost.Radical efficiency is not about tweaking existing services. Rather, it is about generating new perspectives on old problems to ensure a genuine shift in the nature and efficiency of the services on offer and to transform. http://www.nesta.org.uk/home/assets/documents/radical_efficiency

More...

Published At 24/06/2010 in: Finance & Marketing

Annual Partnering Event in Copenhagen - Videos available

Videos from the Annual Partnering Event, held from 14th until 16th of June in Copenhagen, are available here

More...

Published At 21/06/2010 in: Technology Watch

Measuring Innovation: A New Perspective - online version

Foreword Towards a measurement agenda for innovation Innovation today   Empowering people to innovate   Unleashing innovation in firms   Investing in innovation   Reaping returns from innovation   Addressing global challenges   Permanent URL of this page: www.oecd.org/innovation/strategy/measuring   This animated graphics video shows the different ways OECD countries fund business R&D. OE...

More...

Published At 17/06/2010 in: Technology Foresight

Νέα Έκδοση για λειτουργικά τρόφιμα βασισμένα στα ερευνητικά αποτελέσματα του 5,6 και 7 ΠΠ

Η έκδοση απαντά στα παρακάτω ερωτήματα : What are functional foods? Health benefits of functional foods How to asses the scientific evidence for functional foods? Research challenges for functional foods http://www.eurosfaire.prd.fr/ 7pc/documents/1276590504_functional_foods_en_publi_ce.pdf

More...

Published At 15/06/2010 in: Technology Watch

'Launching the KICs - Delivering new solutions to the European innovation landscape': Presentaitons available

http://eit.europa.eu/kics1/kic-launch-conference.html

More...

Published At 10/06/2010 in: Technology Watch

OECD: Invest in innovation to boost growth

Innovation is key to boosting economic growth, and governments should resist the urge to cut spending on activities that are 'essential for a country's future', the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) has warned. Speaking at the launch of the new OECD Innovation Strategy, the organisation's Secretary-General Angel Gurría said: 'Many countries increased their public investment in education, research and smart infrastructure to strengthen their growth performance. But now with the weight of fiscal deficits, there is a risk of such spending being cut. This would b...

More...

Published At 31/05/2010 in: Technology Foresight

Tomorrow's innovative industries: Insights from a joint SIW/ECO workshop

The joint workshop of the Europe INNOVA projects Sector Innovation Watch (SIW) and European Cluster Observatory (ECO) , that took place in Brussels on 11/12 May, saw rich discussions among a high number of innovation researchers and practitioners. The SIW put the results of its studying innovation-based sector specialisation to the review of peers. The principle findings were that (1) technological specialisation brings economic benefits, (2) specialisation takes a long time to change, and that (3) young innovative companies challenge incumbents less successfully in the Unio...

More...

Published At 28/05/2010 in: Technology Platform

Narrow Banking Innovation Report

Narrow Banking" is John Kay's controversial and insightful report arguing for a radical redesign of the financial services industry. It is published by NESTA and the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation. Professor Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England, described the report as "probably... the most important piece [of work] on regulation in ten years" to the Treasury Select Committee. The report argues that the only way to fix the UK's banking sector is to split finance in two: a regulated sector handling savings, and a unregulated sector for wholesale finance. John argues...

More...

Published At 22/05/2010 in: Finance & Marketing

Innovation Radar

INNOVATION is more than product development; it is about creating new value. This is essential for growth and profitability in all business sectors. In order to survive and remain competitive, companies must constantly innovate to introduce new products, services, processes, or business models which generate new value. The Measured and Managed Innovation Programme (MMI) introduces a strategic approach to innovation management, which will help Nordic companies measure and focus their innovation efforts in order to increase their return on innovation and become more competitive. The p...

More...

Published At 21/05/2010 in: Technology Watch

Annual ERA-NET event 2010

The annual ERA-NET event has become the major event for policy makers and funding bodies. It took place in Brussels on the 23rd and 24th of March. The event brought more than 200 new and old stakeholders to keep them abreast of the latest policy thinking, to review progress in terms of the development of the platform, and to elicit their views on future activities. More specifically, it put a strong emphasis on interaction and mutual learning by offering eight different workshops dealing with issues at the heart of the current discussion on the coordination and cooperation of national a...

More...

Published At 13/05/2010 in: Technology Watch

Organic.Edunet: πανευρωπαϊκός κόμβος εκπαίδευσης στη Βιολογική Γεωργία και την Αγροοικολογία

Την πολυγλωσσική διαδικτυακή πύλη Organic.Edunet εγκαινίασε πρόσφατα το Εθνικό Δίκτυο Έρευνας και Τεχνολογίας (ΕΔΕΤ). Πρόκειται για έναν πανευρωπαϊκό κόμβο εκπαίδευσης σε θέματα Βιολογικής Γεωργίας και Αγροοικολογίας, που αναπτύχθηκε στο πλαίσιο του ευρωπαϊκού έργου "Organic.Edunet" του προγράμματος eContentplus, στο οποίο συμμετέχουν 16 εταίροι από 10 ευρωπαϊκές χώρες, υπό τον συντονισμό του ΕΔΕΤ. Στόχος του έργου "Organic.Edunet" είναι να διευκολύνει την πρόσβαση, χρήση και εκμετάλλευση εκπαιδευτικού ψηφιακού περιεχομένου στα πεδία της Οργανικής Γεωργίας και Αγρο-οικολογίας. Για τη...

More...

Published At 12/05/2010 in: Argiculture & Food

Nordic nature – trends towards 2010

Examples of Nordic contributions towards the international biodiversity target 2010 The international target to slow and even halt the decline in biodiversity by the end of 2010 has been included in the Nordic Council of Ministers' Environmental Action Plan for 2009-2012. We already know that this goal will not be reached, in spite of the many actions big and small taken around the Nordic Region to help preserve and protect biodiversity. During the UN International Year of Biodiversity 2010 new goals will be defined and campaigns will be conducted to emphasise the importance of biodiversit...

More...

Published At 05/05/2010 in: Energy and Enviroment

Meeting the challenge of 21 century Education in a global Economy

This publication presents the initial findings from a joint project between SSAT and NESTA in which groups of students identify some of the key challenges facing education in the 21st century, particularly in the context of a globalised economy, and how they think education should best respond to these. Issues such as an ageing population, environmental sustainability and globalisation will present today's young people with problems to contend with as well as opportunities to grasp. To succeed in the future, young people will need to have the confidence, skills and understanding not only t...

More...

Published At 01/05/2010 in: Technology Watch

European Challenges for Innovation, Bilbao 27-28 April 2010: Presentations availabel

As the European Union leaves behind the worst economic crisis for decades, it has the aspiration to achieve a more sustainable growth model and the react of quality jobs. For this, Europe must step up its efforts to stimulate innovation without further delay. Europe must think clearly about its future. The world outlook for 2025, the so-called European paradox, where the results of research do not find their way to the marketplace sufficiently, and the competitive pressures from economic globalisation call for unlocking the full innovative potential of Europe. Innovation policy must be one...

More...

Published At 30/04/2010 in: Technology Platform