Generalitat of Catalonia

• 4.2.1. Mobility, Cooperation and Internasionalisation Programme
• 4.2.2. Programme for Promoting and Communicating Science and Technology
• 4.2.3. Entrepreneurial Support Programma
• 4.2.4. Initiatives to Foster Innovation in government Ministries
• 4.2.5. Programme for coordinating and Obtaining State and EU Resources

 

top

____________________________________________________________________________

4.2.1. Mobility, Cooperation and International Programme

4.2.1.1. Definition and justification of the programme

In the current process of globalisation, society is increasingly internationalised from all points of view (economic, commercial, scientific, information). Nowadays, it is unthinkable that scientists can research alone, with no contact with what is being done in other parts of the world, in regard to both the results of the research and the methodological and technical aspects. Exchange must be encouraged, facilitating the establishment of co-operative relationships. In this respect, it can be said that researcher mobility and international cooperation are basic ingredients for human, scientific and technological progress.

In January 2000, the European Union launched a proposal to unite forces and build the equivalent of the “European market of goods and services” in the field of research and innovation. This is how the idea of a European Research Area (ERA) was born, which is to allow better co-ordination of research policies and activities so that the EU may become the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world.

Additionally, the 1999 Bologna Declaration highlighted the importance of promoting citizens’ mobility and occupation. Therefore, universities and administrations too will have to bear in mind that the organisational model adopted to promote and develop research will be a determining factor in order to achieve these aims. Mobility in itself is not an aim, rather a fundamental instrument to quantitatively and qualitatively improve research, and with which the best opportunities are offered to the best researchers and institutions that receive them.

In order to achieve these goals, it will be necessary for Catalan researchers to fully participate in research at the European and world level, and for Catalonia to incorporate, in its research structures, quality researchers of acknowledged prestige, so that these may stimulate the development of the Catalan research and innovation system to the point where it can take up a leading and competitive position at an international level.

Attracting outside talent to Catalonia will also bring about quality improvements in research activities implemented in Catalonia. It is therefore crucial for Catalan universities, private sector enterprises and research centres to act as poles of attraction that will bring post-doctoral and senior researchers from all over the world to Catalonia in order to conduct advanced and competitive research.

International cooperation includes exchanges of all kinds with other institutions, regions or countries with a view to attaining common goals. In this respect, relationships with developing countries should also be borne in mind because co-operation in scientific matters may facilitate greater, faster socioeconomic development. Moreover, internationalisation also guarantees that the efforts invested in the financing of research are in harmony with the context in which Catalonia is immersed. This will enable duplication to be avoided, the co-ordination of efforts and the establishment of comparisons to adequately measure the results and the effect of research and innovation policies.

Europe has great research experience. Likewise, the efforts to set up adequate co-operation networks have often failed. The inflexibility of the research profession and a lack of effective mechanisms for the development of this training have meant that many researchers in Europe abandon the world of research or, at least Europe. New instruments must be thought of which, in the present context, facilitate the incorporation of international researchers into the research and innovation system, and new forms of international co­operation must be established, either sharing services or through joint networks or projects.

It is crucial that the Catalan scientific community participate fully in the major European research initiatives and infrastructures. The participation of foreign researchers in research projects being implemented in the major Catalan research infrastructures, such as the supercomputer or the Synchrotron light source (which is expected to be fully operational by the end of the decade) should also be taken into consideration.

4.2.1.2. Specific aims of the programme

• To internationalise Catalan research.

• To increase the stays of researchers from Catalonia abroad for training and later professional development (researcher career).

• To encourage alliances with governments, administrations and large-scale research centres, large-scale scientific facilities and universities of strategic interest for Catalonia.

• To participate in European forums on the definition of research and innovation policies to influence them attending to the interests of Catalonia and its priority fields of research.

• To promote co-operation, especially with Europe and also with the group of countries included in the Government of Catalonia’s Co-operation Development Management Guideline Plan 2003-2006.

• To promote and facilitate the participation of researchers from Catalonia in the major European initiatives and infrastructures such as CERN, EMBO, EMBL, ESA, etc.

4.2.1.3. Indicators of reference

• The number of researchers and university lecturers that go on stays outside Catalonia.

• The number of post-doctoral researchers from Catalonia who, having spent over three years outside Ca­talonia, return to join the Catalan system of research and development.

• The number of visiting lecturers and doctorate holders who spend time in Catalonia.

• The number of international research networks.

• The number of international congresses organised in Catalonia.

• The number of researchers in Catalonia who take part in international and supranational organisations or bodies.

• The number of projects and agreements with scientifically and technologically developing countries or regions.

4.2.1.4. Priority actions

This programme deploys actions aimed at promoting the mobility of researchers and makes Catalonia a centre of attraction for researchers, institutions and enterprises from other countries and regions. These actions are presented at public competitive calls for applications or specific programmes.

Mobility

This series of actions will enable researchers pursuing research and innovation lines in Catalonia to make research visits or stays at research centres in other regions or countries. In order to foster excellence in research in Catalonia, programmes will also be established to arrange for researchers from other regions or countries to make research visits or stays in Catalonia or to join the research and innovation system. Finally, mobility between public sector bodies and private sector organisations will be encouraged among those who work in research and innovation.

Internationalisation

For Catalonia to become a reference in research and innovation, an effort needs to be made to internationalise it; its scientific and technological capacity needs to be made known and collaboration should be promoted between Catalan institutions and bodies from other regions and countries. It is necessary to promote full Catalan participation in European and international programmes so that researchers from Catalonia are competitive in obtaining resources, not just those awarded by the institutions of the EU and other public institutions, but also those of the private sector.

International public relations campaign

The aim is to position Catalonia in the international arena as the research and innovation reference point for the southern European area, given its creative and cultural characteristics and its entrepreneurial tradition.

4.2.1.5 Instruments

• Grants and funding for training Catalan researchers outside Catalonia: grants and funding to finance visits and stays at research centres outside Catalonia aimed at pre-doctoral and post-doctoral researchers and university teachers, as well as at other groups, such as specialists in research management.

• Grants and funding for stays in Catalonia: grants and funding for further study, short research visits or longer stays, or to re-incorporate researchers in Catalan universities and research centres.

• Funding to promote university-corporate mobility: funding aimed at third cycle university students (post-graduates) and university teachers to encourage the implementation of research and innovation projects in business environments.

• Funding for the organisation of international conferences: funding to organise international conferences aimed at universities, research centres and other institutions.

• Funding to promote cooperation between institutions: funding to promote cooperation between institutions in different regions and countries, and particularly with those countries included in the Cooperation Development Management Guideline Plan 2003-2006.

• Funding for Catalan participation in European research programmes and funding to obtain resources.

• Science and technology cooperation agreements and programmes involving Catalonia and other countries or regions in Europe or elsewhere.
  

top

____________________________________________________________________________

4.2.2. Programme for Promoting and Communicating Science and Technology

4.2.2.1. Definition and justification of the programme

The way towards the knowledge society, in which knowledge will be the raw material of a large part of the economy, the level of a country’s system of science and technology will be a determining factor to be able to guarantee its economic development and, therefore, also its development as a people as well as social cohesion.

However, in order to develop an advanced science and technology system, society as a whole needs to be aware of the importance of science and technology for both the economic future of a country and for the daily lives of its citizens.

To make this possible, culture of knowledge of science and technology must be promoted to allow society as a whole to gain a better perception of research, development and innovation activities and of the results that come from this and that makes greater recognition of these activities and results possible in society. Such recognition and perception will be the best guarantee for the necessary continuity of initiatives and policies that need to be carried out in this area.

In this respect, the situation in Catalonia is notably deficient: actions aimed at promoting the spirit of science and technology have dwindled and, in general, have lacked an appropriate approach and strategy in the medium and long term.

This programme, therefore, aims to provide a range of measures and initiatives that will lead to the implementation of a series of activities to communicate the importance of science and technology for the future of advanced societies. In this context, activities that communicate and publicise science in society, and particularly among young people, are central elements of the programme. Indeed, a knowledge-based society requires an adequate pool of suitably trained experts in the sciences to ensure further progress. For this reason, the development of an interest in science and technology among young people is crucial: in other words, scientific and technological careers need to be promoted among young people. Currently, if we take as an index the number of young people who opt to study in the area of technological disciplines and, most particularly, the traditional scientific disciplines, a decrease can be observed which is becoming more obvious by the year.

This, which is the result of both the lack of perception and positive evaluation of what science and technology are and of social trends, is a most worrying element for the future of Catalonia. The difficulties in finding work encountered by university degree holders in certain disciplines, among which there is a worrying index of suboccupation –a situation which is even more serious among PhDs– and the shortcomings presented by a professional career as a researcher or technologist clearly favour this trend, and there is a need to correct this.

Moreover, at present, the effort involved in doing certain studies is not sufficiently valued by broad sectors of the population, which accentuates further the risk that in the medium term in Catalonia there will be a notable shortage of young people studying science and technology-related subjects. It must be borne in mind that for a high percentage, the motivation to pursue such studies is clearly vocational, because the professional activities to which they give access are usually, but often erroneously, associated with lower remuneration than other qualifications, which in the present context conditions its social recognition.

However, the experiences of many countries would indicate that it is necessary to foster a scientific spirit from an early age. For this reason, the actions to be carried out will include initiatives aimed at schoolchildren from primary school onwards.

Indeed, entrepreneurial spirit needs to be promoted from the secondary education stage, and especially at the different levels of higher education. There is a need for the universities to be especially involved and in particular business schools and the faculties of economic and business science to this end.

4.2.2.2. Specific aims of the programme

• To increase the culture of science and awareness of the importance of science, technology and innovation for the population of Catalonia as a whole.

• To make the Catalan society one which is well informed as regards science and technology.

• To promote better social recognition of research, development and innovation activities, and of the task of scientists and technologists.

• To promote the scientific spirit and scientific and technological vocations among young people.

• To promote entrepreneurial spirit especially among young people, both at secondary and especially at higher education.

• To promote equal opportunities for men and women in all academic disciplines, especially those linked to the fields of experimental sciences and technology.

• To promote the participation of the citizens of Cat­alonia in activities relating to research and innovation through associations.

4.2.2.3. Indicators of reference

• The number of publications and programmes of the different media exclusively given over to scientific dissemination or in which this is one of the subjects dealt with.

• The number of hours of programmes broadcast by the different media given over to scientific dissemination and the size of the audiences for such programmes.

• The number of students classified by sex that are studying experimental science or technology-related subjects.

• The number of participants in Science Week activities.

• The number of people and the number of children and under-eighteens in Catalonia who visit science and technology museums during the year.

• The number of scientific congresses that are held in Catalonia.

• The number of young people and schools who participate in the CIRIT awards.

• The number of schools that take part in the School Science Day.

4.2.2.4. Priority actions

The actions to be implemented within the framework of this programme need to take into account two target populations: on the one hand, the population as a whole; on the other, primary and secondary students. It will be necessary to effectively promote greater knowledge and awareness of the importance of science and technology in the lives of ordinary people, in areas such as, for example, health, the environment, and communications of all kinds. To achieve this goal, it is intended to implement communications and publicity measures (using the press, television and the other media), open day activities in universities and research centres, informative exhibitions, and events such as Science Week. With regard to actions especially aimed at primary and secondary school children, special emphasis must be placed on their standard training (with actions that include secondary school teachers) and in active initiatives in order to increase scientific and technological vocations (competitions, science workshops, conferences for this segment of the population ...).

In this context, the School Science Day - an initiative which was implemented for the first time in 2004 – can play an important role as a catalyst in ensuring that activities to promote science and technology and communicate its importance to society will reach all areas of Catalan society.

Also, the Catalan Council for Scientific Communication, promoted by the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (FCRI), must become a principal element in the co-ordination and encouragement of such promotional activities.

4.2.2.5. Instruments

Funding

Funding to finance actions in the field of communications and scientific dissemination: aimed at the production of publications, programmes and other instruments (exhibitions, multimedia materials...) and the organisation of events, talks and open days for bodies and associations dedicated to the promotion of scientific knowledge and the importance of science, technology and innovation among the general public.

CIRIT awards for young researchers: to reward research projects of secondary school students in order to foster the scientific creativity and the spirit of research of secondary school students.

Other initiatives

• The creation of a Science Communication and Publicity Plan 2005-2008 will cover all relevant communication and publicity actions and programmes;

• The Catalan Council for Scientific Communication (C4) will act as a permanent meeting point for experts and other agents from a range of fields who participate in the task of communicating and publicising science and technology;

• Platform Catalunya: Science and Communication (C3) will serve as a medium for exploring new tools, actions and means to publicise science, and for exploring how these can be used in society to maximum effect;

• Science Week, promoted by FCRI (Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation);

• School Science Day, organised by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Universities, Research and the Information Society (DURSI), and FCRI.
  

top

____________________________________________________________________________

4.2.3. Entrepreneurial Support Programme

4.2.3.1. Definition and justification of the programme

The entrepreneurial spirit is one of the main driving forces behind innovation, competitiveness and economic growth. It has been shown that there is a positive correlation between entrepreneurial spirit and economic results in aspects such as the increase of the GDP, the survival of companies, innovation, job creation, technological change and the increase in productivity and exports.

To ensure the creation of businesses, it is necessary to create the corresponding favourable environment and stimulate an entrepreneurial culture within the education system by developing suitable instruments for this purpose. The role of the entrepreneur in society needs to be highlighted, and an environment that favours the creation of businesses needs to be fostered: favourable fiscal framework, access to quality training in specific fields, the promotion of instruments of seed capital, efficient interphases between the world of research and the market, a friendly administrative environment, encouragement for technological purchases from public contracting and the co-ordination of all agents linked to the world of entrepreneurial spirit.

This programme, which has as its underlying mission the promotion of business creation, will take direct action in support of innovative projects and the development of a favourable innovation environment, and will also foster dynamic actions by the agents that intervene in the creation of businesses from the earliest stages.

4.2.3.2. Specific aims of the programme

• To generate systematically technology-based companies or innovative business models, that involve the creation of highly qualified jobs.

• To stimulate entrepreneurial spirit by means of the extension of specific training programmes for the promotion of entrepreneurial spirit to most technical careers.

• To publicly recognise the entrepreneurial task and create a social reference of success through the generation of technological projects.

• To complete the area’s agents in order to ensure efficient responses at any point of technical and financial development of new innovative companies.

• To implement programmes for the early detection of difficulties (strategic, financial) and reduce the rate of disappearance of companies.

• To promote specific programmes for women who set up businesses.

4.2.3.3. Indicators of reference

• The number of innovative companies created.

• The number of jobs generated.

• The number of programmes implemented at Catalan universities.

• The reduction of the current rate of disappearance of companies.

• New laws: readmission to university, the failed entrepreneur.

• The creation of businesses by entrepreneurs (not unipersonal businesses).

4.2.3.4. Priority actions

The Research and Innovation Plan promotes the creation of technology businesses and innovative business models by means of the technology springboard network, funding for technology-based companies during the entire financing period, and coordination with other bodies whose purpose is the creation of businesses: local business promotion bodies, territorial business incubation centres, chambers of commerce, provincial councils, etc. The actions to be implemented include:

• Strengthening of the network of business incubators with an aim to provide entrepreneurs with the necessary support so as to go ahead with business projects. Management is centralised and the network is co-ordinated in order to obtain optimal results. Moreover, the contracting of international business incubations services is being evaluated with a view to both promoting the growth of capitalised businesses in advanced technology areas and using this platform to attract international business models to Catalonia.

• Enlargement and professionalisation of the existing platforms (technology springboards), consolidation of the network and of the strategic partners within the network.

• Improvement in concept capital funding (so that this is converted into a simple and fast-acting catalyst for the creation of technology-based companies) and progression towards a participative loan model.

• The creation of seed funding instruments for implementation prior to concept capital: the concession of initial funding for newly created companies in the early development phase. Funds are awarded prior to the concept capital, the only requisite being the creation of the business.

• Raising awareness among universities of the value of creating businesses. Dissemination of examples of programmes on entrepreneurial spirit and of the benefits that this change in culture may bring in the medium term. The promotion of the universities’ “third mission”: interaction with the surroundings and the stimulus of the researchers and doctoral students to create spin-offs and generate market value.

• Support for the creation of technology-based enterprises that develop within the business environment, especially businesses emerging from breakaway businesses that carry out activities that are not key in the original business.

• Development of a community of monitors, tutors and experts with experience of the business world, to participate in the creation of a part-time business sector and to deal with consultations from and provide guidance for entrepreneurs.

• Training in entrepreneurship development of associated methodology, training of educators, creation and extension of cross-disciplinary training modules, and the creation of progressive entrepreneurial training modules to be implemented in secondary schools.

• The formation of circuits to follow up the businesses as of their creation in order to make up for the number of companies that disappear. The offer of preventive analyses on strategy and finance by intermediary bodies and institutions of economic promotion.

4.2.3.5. Instruments

Funding

• Seed (pre-concept) funding and concept capital: aimed at providing support for entrepreneurs with a solid technological background in the early idea phase or concept phase of their business model.

Related infrastructures and services

• Technology springboard network. Located in the universities and business schools, the springboards are entrepreneurial advisory centres and centres where innovative business plans will be detected and selected.
• Business incubator network. Distributed territorially, business incubators are designed to provide the entrepreneur with the shared facilities and services necessary to develop the initial phases of a business project.
• Community of private investors. Creation of a dynamic network to be instigated by the Government of Catalonia.
• Preventive analyses of strategies and funding models for emerging businesses.
• Entrepreneurial competition. One-year training course for social agents in the creation of businesses.
• Communication and publicity campaigns in relation to the social reference of entrepreneurship, the agents involved and the entrepreneurial services available.
  

top

____________________________________________________________________________

4.2.4. Initiatives to Foster Innovation in Government Ministries

4.2.4.1. Definition and justification of the programme

In order to transmit, to society in general and private sector enterprises in particular, the importance of innovation and appropriate use of the new technologies, the Research and Innovation Plan contemplates initiatives to promote innovation in the ministries of the Government of Catalonia. The aim is for the government to demonstrate its commitment to the dissemination of an innovative culture and to the use of new technologies. As yet another agent in the economy and as a potential model of good practice, the government needs to demonstrate that it uses modern resources efficiently, thus generating a domino effect in the economy and society.

Public Administration has the opportunity to act as a driving force of innovation through internal innovation projects based, in part, on the public procurement of technology. On the other hand, the Administration must get ahead of the socioeconomic trends and invest exemplarily in technological resources with the aim of innovating in its work procedures, increasing the level of service to the citizen and to generate useful platforms for society and the business fabric. Along these lines, the Research and Innovation Plan of Catalonia 2005-2008 foresees the progressive incorporation of a budget and of a person in charge of innovation for each ministry in order to carry out innovative projects in the Administration.

4.2.4.2. Priority actions

4.2.4.2.1. Public procurement segmentation according to specific priorities

A series of measures will be implemented, aimed at using the institutional purchasing power of the Government of Catalonia as a tool for fostering technology development and innovation in business sectors.

The intention is not merely to acquire products that are already on the market (standard procurement) but rather to implement a concerted policy that favours new technologies. This approach will encourage the development of technological capabilities, especially in strategic sectors and among the more competitive technology sectors.

This set of measures implies the definition of a map of public procurement in which the potential for technological acquisitions by the Government of Catalonia is determined, bearing the different ministries of the Government of Catalonia in mind, the public companies and even shareholder companies, and the qualitative and quantitative scope that such acquisitions may have for the technological development of the environment. This technological development must be accompanied by sustainability and respect for the environment. The segmentation of procurement and the associated decisions will foment, whenever possible, procurement that involves the use of renewable energy in all Government of Catalonia ministries.

The criteria to clearly differentiate “public procurement of technology” from “common public procurement” must be defined. The former imply the creation of technology. It is also necessary to strategically segment them in accordance with the type of acquisition in order to apply optimum criteria on decisions of procedures and assignments.

The variables used to segment technology procurement are based on the effect that the acquisition of technology may have on the increase of technological competencies, especially in the high potential or strategic sectors, and their degree of technological or innovative risk.

In accordance with the segment, specific contracting procedures will be defined. Specifically, in strategic procurement of high technological content, the optimum policy is that of restricted procedure with emphasis on location criteria (possibility of obtaining spares, maintenance, technical assistance, after-sales service...).

The Research and Innovation Plan contemplates organising a horizontal working group made up of the people in charge of technological procurement in the different ministries of the Government of Catalonia, in order to strengthen, co-ordinate and plan technological acquisitions, and define procedures that make the most of the creation of technological competencies in the sector.

It also aims to raise awareness amongst those who take decisions concerning public contracting by the different ministries of the Government of Catalonia of the importance of public demand for the technological development of the field with training programmes and specific information and the definition of some minimum requirements that may be demanded of potential suppliers. These parameters will assess the technological and innovative level of businesses. The parameters that should be considered are:

• The percentage of research and development in turnover.

• The percentage of turnover generated by new products in the previous three years.

• The percentage of new products over total products.

• Participation in projects of the European framework programme.

• The number of PhDs on the staff.

Finally, there is a need to plan in good time the public acquisitions of technology that are to be made in the context of large technological projects in order to make the most of the effect that such projects may have on the business environment and assess the effect of the generation and dissemination of the knowledge they bring.

4.2.4.2.2. Eco-efficiency

Public procurement constitutes a significant element of the GDP of advanced economies, and decisions in relation to public procurement consequently have great repercussions in the marketplace. If this potential is directed at the acquisition of goods with reduced environmental impact (electrical and electronic goods that are more efficient energy consumers, promotion of the use of renewable energies, recycling of materials, reduction in the use of hazardous substances, etc.), it will transmit a clear signal to the market, as well as making a significant contribution to sustainable development. Likewise, by promoting the purchase of ‘green’ goods, public authorities can provide a real incentive to businesses to develop new technologies and promote innovation.

4.2.4.2.3. Electronic administration

Electronic administration refers to the digital technology tools that improve and enhance interaction and communication with the public, by facilitating access to information and to the services provided by public authorities and bodies.

The aim is to advance towards digitised government ministries by introducing teleprocesses, thereby improving and making more flexible the services offered to the public, businesses and institutions. This will lead to an overall improvement in communications, encourage improved participation in the public sector, and develop opportunities for interaction between private and public sectors.

4.2.4.2.4 Human resource innovation

The Government of Catalonia should act as a model for innovation in the management of its human resources, by encouraging team work and task delegation, and by guaranteeing professional careers, workplace quality, motivation and the recruitment of talent, and finally, by facilitating the reconciliation of family and work commitments.

The following measures, therefore, will be implemented:

• Telework: the Government of Catalonia is committed to encouraging telework wherever possible, as a way of facilitating the reconciliation of family and work commitments. This new approach to work is based on the use of the information and communications technologies to enable employees to carry out a proportion of their work away from the formal workplace;

• Knowledge management within government ministries: in-house training programmes will be conducted that profit from the existence of skilled personnel within the ministries;

• Online training and teletraining: virtual training will be encouraged.

4.2.4.3. Instruments

• Public procurement tenders and auctions: procedures to award public procurement contracts within the framework of the legislation governing public administration contracts, approved by Legislative Royal Decree 2/2000, of 16 June, which approved the consolidated act governing public administration contracts.

• Methodologies for managing innovation and public procurement.

• Work groups for the co-ordination of public procurement: holding periodical meetings and exchanges of good housekeeping practices.

• Pilot projects for public procurement: Aimed at testing the effectiveness of the actions described. In these projects, specific ministries must be chosen and the proposed method applied to them as regards technology acquisitions.

• Observation of the good innovation practices implemented in other public bodies and the development of exchange projects.

 

top

____________________________________________________________________________

4.2.5. Programme for Coordinating and Obtaining State and EU Resources

4.2.5.1. Definition and justification of the programme

Following the Lisbon Agenda, the different administrative bodies are actively creating instruments to change Europe into the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world. In particular, consideration must be given to the efforts and resources provided by the successive technological framework programmes on research and development of the European Union and, in the Spanish State, the National R+D+I Plan. The development of public research and innovation policies should not take place in isolation. Rather, for Catalonia to be able to take up a leading position in Europe in terms of research and technology development, it will be necessary to complement the specific measures implemented by the Government of Catalonia with the opportunities offered by the Spanish State and the European Union, and to map out a global, coherent and complete picture of the resources available to promote research and innovation. The Research and Innovation Plan contemplates actions to employ resources obtained externally, as also to ensure optimisation of the possibilities offered by Spanish State and European Union programmes and the maximisation of returns on any funds obtained.

4.2.5.2. Specific aims of the programme

• To promote active participation in the European framework programmes on research and development of the different agents of the research and innovation system.

• To promote active participation in the Spanish National R+D+I Plan of the different agents of the research and innovation system.

• To optimise co-ordination and co-operation between the managerial bodies of the Research and Innovation Plan for Catalonia, the Spanish National R+D+I Plan and the management bodies of the framework programme on research and development.

• To take maximum advantage of the European and State resources for research and innovation projects in Catalonia.

4.2.5.3. Indicators of reference

• Volume of European and State resources generated.

• The percentage of return in Catalonia on the European framework programmes for research and development and of the programmes of the Spanish National R+D+I Plan over the total for the State.

• The percentage of European and State resources invested in Catalonia allocated to small and medium-sized Catalan enterprises.

4.2.5.4. Priority actions

European Union resources

The European Union develops, on an ongoing basis, research and development framework programmes as its main instrument for financing research and innovation projects in the European arena. The Sixth Framework Programme on Research and Development (6PM, 2002-2006), currently in force, has a budget of fourteen thousand million euros; it is scheduled for the Seventh Framework Programme on Research and Development (7PM, 2007-2013) to have a budget of about seventy thousand million euros.

Such volumes justify the will to use European resources as stimuli for investment in research and development in Catalonia. Thus, the Administration must act as a catalyst of large-scale research and innovation projects. A series of decisive actions have been defined to be implemented by public institutions in relation to the opportunities offered by the research and development framework programmes of the European Union.

These include the following:

• The creation of European centres of excellence on the basis of cooperation between laboratories, universities, and private sector enterprises, and by means of integrated projects and networks promoting excellence;

• The promotion of technology platforms and large­scale strategic projects in high-potential industrial sectors and involving public and private players who will take a long-term perspective on the basis of the technology strategy described in this Plan;

• Support for individual fundamental research teams selected on the basis of excellence and competitiveness;

• The promotion of research infrastructures of European interest (laser, neutrons, genome databases, etc.);

• The involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises in large-scale projects (not exclusively EU CRAFT cooperative research programmes);

• The promotion of complementarity between research funds and structural funds;

• Systematic and regular participation by Catalan representatives in European innovation policy work groups and committees.

Spanish State resources

The Spanish State Programme of support for research and innovation is described in the National Scientific Research, Development and Technological Innovation Plan 2004-2007. The budget for this programme for 2004-2005 is nine thousand two hundred million euros. There is a commitment to make an annual addition to the budget.

The measures associated with obtaining State resources are designed to create and consolidate the mechanisms that enable participation in State research and innovation policymaking and to obtain funds available through the State research and development plans.

The following steps will be taken:

• The encouragement of active participation in the Spanish National Scientific Research, Development and Technological Innovation Plan projects;

• The involvement of Catalan agents in drawing up, evaluating and reviewing the different measures provided for in the Spanish National Scientific Research, Development and Technological Innovation Plan.

4.2.5.5. Instruments

European project support service

The support services made available by the Government of Catalonia - through CIRIT, CIDEM, DURSI, the Ministry of Health, FCRI and the public consortium Patronat Català ProEuropa - will require coordination to ensure that synergies are detected and acted on and that the necessary joint actions are taken. This coordination will ensure adequate controls over participation in research and development framework programmes and suitable monitoring of their effect on Catalonia.

It is planned for services to be offered to external bodies (universities, research centres, businesses, etc.) and also to assess internally the Government of Catalonia to increase its involvement in European research programmes, so as to improve its knowledge of the European policies of interest.

top