7 - EUniverCities - Aveiro

Research and Innovation

Research and Innovation Research and Innovation


European Challenges and opportunities

For EUniverCities From 2014 to 2020

Aveiro – Nov. 20th, 2013

Olivier BrunetEuropean Commission

Working for Aragon until May 2014

PolicyPolicy Research and Innovation


Key opportunities for EUniverCities(my own view)

• As regards the urban component of the future EU regional policy... Smart cities ?

• In the field of education with ERASMUS for all

• In the frame of the future HORIZON 2020 programme linked with the EU research and innovation policy



The Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020: adoption expected by the end of 2013

• 1. Smart & inclusive growth (€451bn)

• 2. Sustainable growth, natural resources (€373bn)• 3. Security and citizenship (€16bn)• 4. Global Europe (€58bn)• 5. Administration (€61.6bn) Total:

€ 960bn

Education, Youth, Sport

Connecting Europe Cohesion Competitive

Business SMEs

Horizon 2020

On the basis of the Commission proposal in 2011In the limits of the mandates and budget given to the EU



Cities in the future EU regional policy

Urban policy plays an important role in the EU regional policy including cross border and interregional cooperation, URBAN-URBACT…

+/- 325 billion Euros over 2014-2020 for the EU regional policy, first EU policy in terms of budget

Priority to innovation through regional innovation strategies – “smart specialization”

5% for “integrated actions in favor of a sustainable urban development” ?

0,2% FEDER for “innovative urban actions” ? Urban Development Platform ?



Cities in other EU policies

Impact of EU regulation: air quality, waste management, urban transport, digital agenda…

Many initiatives and programmes: Erasmus, Local agenda 21, Covenant of Mayors, JPI Urban Europe, EU cities of culture…

Many European networks: EUROCITIES, ICLEI, POLIS, Energy Cities, Baltic cities…

How can we promote more transversality ? “Smart cities” mainly led in the EC by DG

ENERGY, MOVE and CONNECT



The city of Zaragoza in Europe

700 000 inhabitants, much on urban transport and digital innovation, International Expo 2008 on water and sustainable development

New “smart cities” department Dialogue with companies, June 2013 Dialogue with Universities last week involving

EUniverCities Green capital of Europe in 2016 ? The ETOPIA project, participation in the “open

days”, connections with EUROCITIES and ERRIN



Universities in ERASMUS for all

New EU programme for education, training, youth and sport, 19 billion Euros ?

Learning opportunities for individuals, more international focus

Institutional cooperation between educational institutions, businesses, local and regional authorities… creation of 400 “knowledge alliances” and “sector skills alliances”

Support for policy reform in Member States, follow up to the Bologna process…



Universities in other EU policies

Regional policy: useful involvement in the setting up and implementation of regional innovation strategies (the same for cities)

Smart Spec FP 7 project starting now, led by Cardiff University

Social policy, European Social Fund Strong connections with culture, youth and

sport at a European level International dimension European Association of Universities, European

Consortium of innovative Universities...



The University of Zaragoza in Europe

Strong record in research in several science and technological fields

Strong efforts devoted to FP 7 opportunities thanks to a collaborative network in Aragon

Leader of a “Regions of Knowledge” project between clusters on water management

Strong attractiveness for Erasmus students Difficult challenge of innovation for all Spanish

Universities, involvement in regional strategies? Need for more cooperation between

Universities, the Campus Iberus opportunity



Investment in R&D is part of the solution to exit from the economic crises



Opportunities from HORIZON 2020

• A single programme bringing together three separate programmes/initiatives* - 70 billion Euros ?

• Coupling research to innovation – from research to the market, all forms of innovation

• Focus on societal challenges facing EU society such as health, clean energy and “green” transport

• Simplified access, for all companies, universities, research centres...

*The 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7), innovation aspects of Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), EU contribution to the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)



Horizon 2020 and partnering• Public public partnerships:

• Through « ERA-Nets » for topping up individual calls/actions

• Through participation in joint programmes between Member States

• Supporting agendas of Joint Programming Initiatives when in line with Horizon 2020

• Public private partnerships:

• Through Joint Technology Initiatives

• Or contractual agreements, which provide inputs for work programmes

• Increased attention paid to SMEs in the whole programme

• European Innovation Partnerships:

• Not funding instruments, but for coordination with broader policies and programmes, the example of active ageing



In the end synergies are key with a vision

• The strong added value of the tandem method in EUniverCities, peer reviews and exchange of (good and bad) experiences

• The challenge of a good cooperation between local – regional – national – EU and international levels (what I learnt in Brest, Brussels, Chapel Hill – USA and Zaragoza)

• The challenge of transversality between policies, at all levels

• Last but not least with a VISION (do we clearly know what we are aiming at and can we share our vision with our partners ? This also applies at all levels. New European Parliament and Commission in 2014)



Thank you for your attention and let us discuss!

Olivier Brunet

[email protected] until May 2014Then [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

7 - EUniverCities - Aveiro

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