Technopolis Group 1 The Governance of ERA A critical perspective 6CP Patries Boekholt October

Technopolis Group 2 This presentation Why governance? The governance of ERA The regional dimension Some good practice lessons on governance in research and innovation Some discussion statements What next?

Technopolis Group 3 Governance a vague concept European White Paper on Governance Governance means rules processes and behaviour that affect the way in which powers are exercised at European level, particularly as regards openness, participation, accountability, effectiveness and coherence.

Technopolis Group 4 Functions of governance in research and innovation Agenda setting and prioritisation Referee Horizontal co-ordination Co-ordination of knowledge production Intelligence Vertical steering Enhancing the profile of research and innovation

Technopolis Group 5 Need for greater coherence in STI policy making along several dimensions The integration of knowledge creation (mostly basic research) and the use of knowledge for commercial exploitation The co-ordination and attuning of different societal and economic goals of research and innovation, thus integrating STI policies across sectoral departments. The combination of knowledge from different science disciplines to tackle interdisciplinary research needs (e.g. bio-technology) and overarching societal problems that need such an interdisciplinary approach (e.g. climate change) The co-ordination along geographical levels: Global, European, National, Regional

Technopolis Group 6 ERAs governance structure ERA: so far successful as platform launching ideas and opening debate on Reshaping the European research policy landscape Internal market in research Co-ordination of national research policies Introduction of new governance mechanisms Open Co-ordination Method Article 169 ERA-Net Benchmarking, Mapping Excellence Key role to play for Member States Co-ordination is key but how and by whom?

Technopolis Group 7 Governance levels to be coordinated in ERA Level 1 European Council Level 2 European Commission Level 3 National High-level Policy Co-ordination Level 4 National SRI Ministries Level 5 National SRI Funding Agencies Level 6 National public research performers Other Policy Sectors

Technopolis Group 8 ERA progress in implementation Commission in October 2002: strengthening the momentum Progress fastest on issues where nations have set actions Examples: Research Infrastructures: co-ordination needs are evident Women in Science Asks for greater Member States involvement The 2002 Monitoring Report on ERA: Hampered by insufficient participation of the Member States Article 169 cumbersome and complex Regions lack of awareness of ERA

Technopolis Group 9 The regional dimension of ERA The focus on research excellence alienates many regions The responsibility for research policy mainly at MS level Regions concerned with innovation and the role of research actors in the dissemination of knowledge ERA-NET: another talk-club? Regions have better alternatives Linkages between ERA and Structural Funds hampered by many governance obstacles Be realistic about the role of regions in ERA

Technopolis Group 10 Good practice lessons from STI governance Strategic policy intelligence is necessary to make policy choices on a solid basis Reshaping the governance structure seems easiest when there is a severe crisis (e.g Finland in the early 1990s) or when there is a big carrot Empowering a change agent Making difficult choices requires a referee in the system Policy co-ordination is a cumbersome and long-term process which asks for: Strong political support at highest levels Trust-building between people Creation of win-win situations

Technopolis Group 11 Some discussion statements The Member States will not be ready for ERA as long as they cant cope with reshaping their own National Research Areas Opportunities for a European Knowledge Society are missed due to the strong compartmentalisation of the European Commission and the MS The regions will have a bigger role to play if we create the European Innovation Area Policy co-ordination: lessons from national governance show the importance of long-term trust-building, creating win-win situations, additional money, change agents and a referee. Most of these conditions are not (yet) present in the European arena

Technopolis Group 12 What to do next? Open co-ordination method: too soft as approach? Empowering a change agent? Do we need a referee? Rely on self -organisation: agencies, research performers and regions leapfrogging their national governments? Design new governance mechanisms? Or are we simply too impatient?