Innovation: leading the recovery
Innovation is at the centre of securing Europe’s future and return to economic growth. According to Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission with responsibility for the Digital Agenda, new technological infrastructure will enable the continent to build a new, competitive and modern economy.
Addressing delegates in a video message at the ‘Open Innovation 2.0’ conference at Dublin Castle, Ireland, and attended by Pan European Networks, Kroes outlined the importance of ICT innovation to the digital age.
“It is innovation that powers our economic growth and ICT tools offer a new way of to do it, a way characterised by digitalisation, mass collaboration and sustainability. A way that is flexible and multi-disciplinary, where ideas can be tested at an early stage and where diverse teams lead to greater breakthroughs and a way that produces innovations with the power to rapidly skill up, disrupt and transform.”
The European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities (EIP-SCC) will bring together ‘cities, industry and citizens to improve urban life through more sustainable integrated solutions’. Kroes cited how the EU’s investment in the EIP-SCC will provide an avenue for people to benefit from new technological breakthroughs.
“This kind of innovation can transform our whole living environment, like through smart cities where technology makes it easier to live, work and get around using resources much more efficiently. I was delighted just last week to attend our high-level group on smart cities, part of our EIP. On that issue, I am working closely with colleagues in transport and energy and with experts from all over Europe because I am convinced we can find real innovation at the intersection of those sectors, delivering real results from our citizens. That shows us exactly the kind of cross-interdisciplinary working we need but it’s just one example of what we can achieve with open innovation.”
However, financing innovation can only be completed through new, pan-European funding mechanisms. According to the Commissioner, Horizon 2020 will deliver that opportunity and channel.
“This innovation doesn’t come about itself, it needs resources. Horizon 2020 will provide EU support for research and innovation that is open, agile and collaborative. An open data a great resource too. Our public administrations are sitting on a goldmine of information, but too often they keep it locked up. Our legal proposal on public sector information will change that. A clear framework to open up and let you use public data without complex conditions or costly charges. Lawmakers should be finalising the proposal imminently and I hope it can power new applications and services for years to come.”
The EU’s unemployment rate currently stands at 10.9%. Europe also faces a brain drain from Eastern Europe to the West and to other countries outside of the continent, particularly in North America. The ICT sector, in particular, faces a significant shortage in skilled workers which could hamper the EU’s economic bounce-back.
Kroes added: “Innovation needs talent – human capital fit for the online age. Our people are our greatest asset but we cannot fill all the ICT jobs that are available – soon there could be a shortage of nearly one million skilled ICT workers, even in a time of high unemployment. For one thing, not enough people are getting the right training and for another, often the skilled people aren’t where the jobs are. So some countries have a surplus of skilled workers whilst others, like Ireland, face a shortage.
“We need, all of us, to change this situation and that’s why we have launched a grand coalition for digital jobs where people and companies can make pledges for how they can make a difference. For example, the ‘Make IT Ireland’ campaign is helping redress this balance, showing people the benefit of an ICT career and getting them where they are needed,” the Commissioner told delegates.
“Europe today needs innovation more than ever.”
Commissioner Neelie Kroes
