Research & Innovation
ICT Research & Innovation: a driver for growth
HIGHLIGHTS
- Digital Agenda: Europe's strategy for a digital economy by 2020
Europe must master both the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to generate sustainable economic and social benefits.
While the ICT sector is itself worth 6-8% of the EU’s GDP, ICTs are much more important than that figure suggests, playing a key role in everything from promoting innovation throughout the economy to meeting the demographic challenge of an aging society.
However, as the EU currently spends less than several key competitors on ICT Research and Innovation (R&I), there is considerable opportunity for Europe to step up and raise its game. Moreover, with EU member states carrying out their own R&I programmes, there is a lot of duplication.
In today’s globalised world, Europe cannot afford this duplication. No single EU country or organisation can now afford to try and build all the know-how and skills to master these increasingly complex technologies.
Digital Agenda for Europe: A strategy for a digital economy by 2020
Research and innovation is a key pillar of the Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE). The DAE is the European Commission's strategy to deliver sustainable economic and social benefits from a digital single market based on fast and ultra fast internet and interoperable applications. The Research and innovation pillar of the DAE focuses on maintaining Europe's competitive edge in ICT R&I through increased coordination and elimination of Europe's fragmented efforts.
This translates into European initiatives along four main strands:
1) Public R&I Funding: the EU's own research programmes pool Europe’s R&I resources, helping build the critical mass essential to maintain technological leadership ... more
2) Encouraging Private R&I Investment: Increased investment by industry in researching ICTs is encouraged through a number of EU initiatives ... more
3) Coordination R&I in Europe: the EU is overseeing a number of initiatives to coordinate research activities at EU and national levels ... more
4) Innovation through ICTs: a number of EU programmes encourage innovation throughout European industry and beyond via the uptake of ICTs ... more
Why do ICTs count?
“Half of the productivity gains in our economies are explained by the impact of ICTs” - Building the Europe of Knowledge
ICTs play a crucial role in:
- improving competitiveness throughout the economy in the face of globalisation, boosting innovation, creativity and efficiency - see the Economy & Work theme;
- scientific and technological development in areas as diverse as medicine and physics;
- modernising sectors as diverse as education, security, energy and transport, and making Europe’s large public sector more efficient - see, for example, the education & training, eGovernment, transport and safety themes;
- tackling social challenges and improving quality of life while meeting the challenge of an ageing society - see the Quality of Life, eInclusion and Regions themes).
Showcasing EU-funded
research and activities
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