Increasing Europe's competitiveness through co-operative research
Strategic networks of innovation
There is strong evidence that the commercial position of many SMEs is strengthened by participating in a EUREKA project, particularly in terms of access to new markets in Europe and beyond. Innovative projects, mainly involving SMEs, contribute to improved wellbeing, security, environment and employment. The estimated average increase in annual turnover is about € 1 million per participating SME, with four jobs being created within one year of the project ending.
Clusters bring together EUREKA partners to focus on developing and commercially exploiting new technologies. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that Europe maintains its lead in the world market. Clusters exploit technologies developed through existing national and European programmes. They develop generic technologies that drive European standards and the interoperability of products in several sectors, including information and communications technologies (ICT), the automotive industry, energy and biotechnology.
Within the EUREKA framework and in close collaboration with national funding authorities, industry works in Clusters that benefit from the programme's flexibility. R&D is continuously adapted in response to the accelerating pace of technology and changing market demands.
“Cluster projects play an important role within EUREKA and are leading the way forward,” Vieillefosse points out. “They are long-term, strategically significant initiatives that contribute to Europe's success every day.”
“There is a strong evidence that many SMEs are strengthened by participating in a EUREKA project in terms of access to new markets”
ICT Clusters:
- MEDEA+ (2001-2008) – Microelectronics Development for European Applications. Investment: € 4,000 million. Goal: Advanced co-operative R&D in microelectronics to make Europe a leader in system innovation on silicon. http://www.medeaplus.org/
- ITEA (1998-2008) – Information Technology for European Advancement. Investment: € 3,000 million. Goal: Seeks to build a digital future by helping Europe become a leader in software embedded systems. http://www.itea-office.org/
- CELTIC (2003-2008) – Co-operation for a Sustained European Leadership in Telecommunications. Investment: € 1,000 million. Goal: Telecommunications solutions through collaborative research. http://www.celtic-initiative.org/
- PIDEA+ (2004-2009) – Packaging and Interconnection Development for European Applications. Investment: € 600 million. Goal: The electronics industry's development of innovative I&P (Interconnection and Packaging) technologies. http://www.pidea.com.fr/
- EURIMUS II (2004-2008) – EUREKA Industrial Initiative for Microsystems Uses. Investment: € 500 million. Goal: The development of generic microsystems. http://www.eurimus.com/
| The numbers tell the story
Since 1985, substantial public and private funding has been deployed to support critical research and development. According to EUREKA's Statistical Report (July 2003-2004), the numbers reveal a growing success story:
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