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European Technology Platforms:

Context, Rationale and State of Play

Presentation to the

Polish Technology Platforms Conference

Seán O’ReagainDirectorate General for Research,

European Commission

Poznan, 20 June 2005

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Elements of Presentation

1. Main Features of Technology Platforms

2. Emerging Experience

3. Governance Aspects

4. Community Role

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Technology Platforms: Rationale

• Contribute to Competitiveness - Lisbon goal

• Boost research performance- ERA, 3% target

• Positive impact on other Community policies

• Concentrate efforts and address fragmentation

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Technology Platforms: Central Concept

Framework to unite stakeholders around:

a common “vision” for the technology concerned

mobilisation of a critical mass of research and innovation effort

definition of a Strategic Research Agenda

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Technology Platforms: Characteristics

Address challenging issues for growth Embody major technological advances

in the medium/long-term Bring Community added value Involve high research intensity Require a Common European approach

– research and technological development… to demonstration…..to, in the longer-term, market penetration

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Technology Platforms: Approach

Wide stakeholder base- industry, public authorities, research community, regulators, civil society and consumers

Mobilisation of public and private funding - Community Framework Programmes, Structural Funds, national, regional and private research funding, EIB, EUREKA

Education, training, communication, dissemination

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Technology Platforms:

Three Stages

Stage 1: Stakeholders get together

Stage 2: Stakeholders define a Strategic Research Agenda

Stage 3: Stakeholders implement the Strategic Research Agenda

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Key Objectives of Platforms

• Radical Change in a Sector - example: Hydrogen / Fuel Cells

• Sustainable Development - example: Plant Genomics and Biotechnology

• Public Goods and Services - example: Innovative Medicines for Europe

• Strategic, High-Technology - example: Aeronautics

• Industrial Renewal - example: Steel

Currently +/- 25 Platforms

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Technology Platforms: Key Success Factors

• Industry-Led; Competitiveness-Driven• Wide Stakeholder Involvement• Flexibility: No “One Size Fits All”• Cross-Policy European Added Value• Operational Focus from Early Stage• Mobilise a Range of Funding Sources• Focus on Education and Training • Communication / Dissemination

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Openness and Transparency

• Code of Good Practice

• Key Elements:

- Rotation of Membership of Advisory Council

- Regular Stakeholder Meetings- Openness to Participation of New

Stakeholders- Dedicated Platform Website

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Role of Public Authorities

• Commitment of Public Authorities Essential to Success of Platforms

• Forms of Involvement Vary- “Mirror Group” Approach Effective

- Member States’ Participation in Management of Platforms

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Governance Example:Hydrogen - Fuel Cells Platform

• Overall Objective: Build Future

“Hydrogen Economy”

• Advisory Council: Highest Level / Wide Range of Stakeholders

• “Mirror Group”: Member States Forum

• Steering Panels: Define Strategic Research Agenda / Deployment Strategy

• Working Groups: Financial Engineering, Business Development, Public Awareness, Education and Training

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Technology Platforms: Commission Involvement

• Encouraging a “Bottom-Up” Industry-Led Approach

• Not Owner but Active Facilitator

• Not Labelling but Guiding

• Co-ordinating/Monitoring Role

BUT: • Not Bound by Content of Strategic

Research Agendas

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Technology Platforms: Run-Up to FP7

Support for Operational Entities

- Secretariats: Specific Support Actions- Mirror Groups: ERA-NET

• Projects Brought In/Launched Under Platform

- Instruments of FP6

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Technology Platforms: Implementation Under FP7

• Majority of Platforms

- Supported Using Funding Schemes for Collaborative Research under

Cooperation Programme

• Small Minority: Long-Term Public-Private Partnerships

- “Joint Technology Initiatives”

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Social and Societal Platforms

• Elements of Technology Platforms Approach Relevant

• Rationale and Goals Differ from Technology Platforms

• Need for Clear Demonstration of Commitment of Key Players

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Technology Platforms:Next Steps

1. Follow Up Code of Conduct on Transparency and Openness

2. Continue Dialogue with Stakeholders

3. Facilitate Implementation of Relevant Parts of Strategic Research Agendas of Technology Platforms

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Further information

Website

www.cordis.lu/technology-platforms