EU-wide Strategic Innovation Agenda of the EIT

The Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology sets out this institute's priorities for 2014 to 2020 as well as its operating procedures, with a view to contributing to a more innovative Europe.

ACT

Decision No 1312/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): the contribution of the EIT to a more innovative Europe

SUMMARY

The Strategic Innovation Agenda (SIA) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), which is based in Budapest, defines the priority fields and long-term strategy of this institute. It also includes an assessment of the EIT's economic impact and capacity to create innovation added-value.

Much of the SIA's focus is on the EIT's Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), of which 3 have been established since 2010: sustainable energy (KIC InnoEnergy), climate change adaptation and mitigation (ClimateKIC) and future information and communication society (EIT ICT Labs).

Main Key Actions of the SIA

Consolidating and fostering growth and impact of the existing KICs: the EIT should encourage the KICs to develop a greater variety of, and provide advice on, educational and training activities; it should also raise awareness of the existence of these activities. There should be a system of peer evaluations for EIT-labelled qualifications.

Creating new KICs: the EIT should prepare the way for 5 new KICs:

• in 2014, a call for 2 new KICs on the themes of Healthy Living and Active Ageing and Raw Materials;
• in 2016, a call for 2 new KICs on the themes of Food4Future and Added-value manufacturing;
• in 2018, a call for 1 new KIC on the theme of Urban Mobility.

The other proposed SIA actions would aim to:

• enhance EIT's impact;
• create new delivery mechanisms and monitoring designed to produce results;
• streamline and clarify EIT decision-making;
• invest in KICs;
• engage with partners in a forum that meets regularly.

EIT budget for 2014-20

Around EUR 1 695 million (62,5 % of the total EIT budget) is envisaged to fund the KICs designated in 2009 and now in operation; EUR 542 million (20 %) is envisaged for the second wave of KICs, EUR 249 million (9,2 %) for the third wave and EUR 35 million (1,3 %) for the final wave.

Therefore, the projected EIT budget for the KICs in 2014-20 comes to EUR 2,5 billion (93 % of the EIT total budget for 2014-20). Through the EIT's strong leverage effect, the KICs are expected to bring in a further EUR 7,5 billion of other public and private sources.

The EIT will engage in dissemination and outreach activities, including providing support for the regional innovation strategies (RIS). It will also contribute to the EU's Horizon 2020 programme, especially in terms of societal challenges.

04.07.2014