The innovative actions of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) are laboratories of ideas for disadvantaged regions. The globalisation of the economy and the acceleration of technological change have made knowledge-based activities and the use of new technologies into priority issues for the European Union's regions.
Although significant progress has been made within the EU in recent years in reducing disparities in terms of physical infrastructures, large interregional differences still exist in the fields of innovation, research and technological development. To prevent even greater divergence and to take the opportunities presented by the new economy to quickly close the gap, the new generation of innovative actions aims specifically to define and implement innovative practices in economic and social development, which, if successful, are likely to improve the quality of the priority programmes of the Structural Funds in regions lagging behind in their development (Objective 1) or undergoing conversion (Objective 2). These opportunities carry greater risk, sometimes even of failure, and they allow the regions to explore more sophisticated ideas which are not approached in the usual context of programmes part-funded by the ERDF. They therefore help them to become more competitive, raise their level of technological competence and create highly skilled jobs.
All the regions with areas covered by Objectives 1 or 2 were eligible for innovative action grants. Over the period 2000-06, approximately 400 millions euros (0.4% of the ERDF budget) has been set aside for these programmes in 156 eligible regions (the regions from the new member States are not included).
The new generation of innovative actions (2000-2006) rests on three pillars:
- regional programmes of innovative actions and the subsequent pilot projects;
- support measures for experience-sharing and the establishment of interregional networks;
- competitions to identify and develop the best projects.
The new regional programmes of innovative actions were based on one or more of the following three strategic themes:
- knowledge-based regional economies and technological innovation;
- e-EuropeRegio, the information society and regional development;
- regional identity and sustainable development.
Management and implementation of the programmes is carried out by the regions. A managing authority to be responsible for implementation and a paying authority responsible for financial management is designated in each region. A steering committee comprising the main regional actors is responsible for the selection of individual projects and for overseeing the progress of the programme.
Duration of programmes. Programmes should not last more than two years. A region may submit a second programme application once their first programme has been fully completed and approved by the Commission.
Accompanying measures: exchanges of experience and networks
To complement the regional programmes, the Commission provides financial support for networks for cooperation and exchanges of experience among regions. Networking should have a multiplier effect on the transfer of good practice and the emergence of new projects. It should help to establish an on-going process of reflection and speed up change in the three strategic areas.
Measures of two types were supported:
- Participation in one or more networks or as lead organiser of a network. At least 1% but not more than 3% of the total budget for a regional programme should be set aside for this.
- The establishment of a very limited number of new networks. To ensure the community nature of a new network, at least five regions from five Member States must take part. These networks should be open to all but only regions from Member States may apply for financial assistance.
For more information click here: http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/innovation/index_en.htm