1. Does FP7 offer the right tools for promoting excellence and innovation in the Regions? Paul Harris Senior Executive – EU Policy Scotland Europa (Brussels)

2. Regions influence R&D investment by… Supporting RTD infrastructure; Funding sectoral research programmes; Networking key stakeholders and shareholders; Leveraging research outcomes; Providing (access to) funding for innovative SMEs and university / research centre spinouts and spin-offs; Improving regional attractiveness for prospective new research centres of multinational companies and talented people; Raising SME awareness of RTD activities. Source: CPMR & EURADA, March 2005

3. Focus on the regional dimension of FP7 2004 Scotland Europa Paper  Multi-stakeholder consultation  Online at http://www.cordis.lu/fp7/debate_regional.htmhttp://www.cordis.lu/fp7/debate_regional.htm Priorities from a regional perspective  SME issues  Funds open to economic development actors  Programme administration  Coherence with Structural Funds

4. SME issues in FP7 SME specific measures  Unique transnational element  internationalisation Participation in ‘Co-operation’ programme  Intensive capacity-building required  Scottish Proposal Assistance Fund  Importance of intermediaries  CIP Enabling SMEs to interact with ‘Co-operation’ projects  With Collaborative Projects  Structural Funds?  With ETPs/JTIs e.g. SME-IST-EP project

5. Funds open to economic development actors– Regions of Knowledge Valuable, flexible instrument  stimulates regional partnership  €158m budget needed to tackle oversubscription “Research-driven clusters”? – define them carefully Give concrete outcomes beyond mutual learning  Partnerships for future EU applications  Networking of personnel  Transnational contacts for businesses

6. Funds open to economic development actors – Other ERA-Net  Funding for joint programme needed (ERA-NET PLUS)  More eligibility restrictions Research Potential  Ensure benefits to the ‘mentor’ partner Science in Society  Open debate/projects on university reform to business and regional development actors

7. Programme administration Regions need data on FP participants Subcontracting rules should be different for ‘Capacities’ actions  Regional development actors may have catalyst/risk-bearing role but not delivery capability Support network for regional actors in the FP  e.g. ERRIN network has facilitated 2 successful Scottish FP6 applications in 2004/5 – www.errin-brussels.org.www.errin-brussels.org

8. EU Committee of the Regions Draft Opinion FP and SF co-operation across the ‘Capacities’ programme ‘Co-operation’ research themes should include urban development, demographic change, and innovation in the service sectors Clarify relationship between FP and CIP Fund technology development and demonstration Provide instruments to promote regional research & innovation objectives  Co-operation within regions  Internationalisation of regional actors  e.g. OMNI-NET project on convergent technologies

9. For further information please contact: Paul Harris: Tel: 00 32 2282 8303 paul.harris@scotent.co.uk www.scotlandeuropa.com