Shaping European innovation policy

The participants of the first Vilnius Innovation Forum 2013 ‘Innovation Drift’ have agreed upon the declaration concluding ten main principles for shaping European innovation policy.

The declaration emphasises the importance that member states continue to increase investments in research and innovation. The declaration warns that Europe will be unable to compete, and continue to be an attractive partner for research and innovation, unless its investments are on par with the most innovative countries around the world.

It said that Europe must continue to put joint efforts in creating a common European Innovation Ecosystem and that public and private investment in research and innovation fuels productivity and growth and is a key for job creation.

New programme Horizon 2020 is one of the most important financial instruments. Combined with other instruments of Innovation Union, it will contribute to the competitiveness and innovation and increase international co-operation.

The declaration encourages the promotion of clustering and SME networks as platforms for collaboration, growth and competitiveness as well the promotion of enterpreneurship, establishing innovative startup and spinoff companies. The declaration welcomes the efforts in supporting further internationalisation and growth of SMEs.

To bridge the gap between research and market needs in Europe, it is important to help innovative enterprises to speed up the process from ideas to markets, to develop their technological breakthroughs into viable products and services and encourage commercialisation of R&D.

The declaration underlines the importance of creativity, non-technological innovation and standards for industrial competitiveness and emphasises the creation of cross synergies between the cultural and creative industries and the traditional industries.