ACTIVITIES :: ICT PSP :: About ICT PSP
About ICT PSP
The ICT Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP) is one of the three specific programmes of The Competitiveness and Innovation framework Programme (CIP) and runs for the years 2007-2013.
The ICT PSP aims at stimulating smart sustainable and inclusive growth by accelerating the wider uptake and best use of innovative digital technologies and content by citizens, governments and businesses.
It provides EU funding to support the realisation of the Digital agenda for Europe.
The programme addresses obstacles hindering further and better use of ICT based products and services and barriers for the development of high growth businesses, notably SMEs, in this field. In addition to illustrating and validating the high value of digital technologies for the economy and society, it will foster the development of EU-wide markets for innovations enabling every company in Europe to benefit from the largest internal market in the world.
Particular emphasis is put on areas of public interest given their weight in the European economy and the unique solutions that ICT can bring to the societal challenges that lie ahead such as health and ageing, inclusion, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, culture preservation and learning as well as efficient public administrations. The main challenges include the relatively slow uptake of ICT innovations in the public sector and the high fragmentation of relevant markets due notably to a lack of interoperability between ICT solutions deployed across the Member States and Associated Countries.
The ICT PSP covers technological and non-technological innovation that have moved beyond the final research demonstration phase. The ICT PSP does not support research activities; it may cover, when needed, technical adaptation and integration work in order to achieve the objectives.
The Digital Agenda for Europe
The European Commission launched in March 2010 the Europe 2020 Strategy to address the economic crisis and prepare the EU economy for the challenges of the next decade. Europe 2020 sets out a vision to achieve high levels of employment, a low carbon economy, productivity and social cohesion, to be implemented through concrete actions at EU and national levels.
The Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE) is one of the seven flagship initiatives of the Europe 2020 Strategy. It defines the key role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Europe to succeed in its ambitions for 2020.
The objective of this Agenda is to chart a course to maximise the social and economic potential of ICT, most notably the internet, a vital medium of economic and societal activity: for doing business, working, playing, communicating and expressing ourselves freely. Successful delivery of this Agenda will spur innovation, economic growth and improvements in daily life for both citizens and businesses.
Wider deployment and more effective use of digital technologies will thus enable Europe to address its key challenges and will provide Europeans with a better quality of life through, for example, better health care, safer and more efficient transport solutions, cleaner environment, new media opportunities and easier access to public services and cultural content.
