Challenges and opportunities for EUniverCities related to the 2014-2010 perio, seen from an European perspective Olivier Brunet, EC DG Research & ITA Zaragoza

1. European Challenges
and opportunities
For EUniverCities
From 2014 to 2020
Olivier Brunet
European Commission
Working for Aragon until May 2014
Aveiro – Nov. 20th, 2013
Research and
Innovation

2. Key opportunities for EUniverCities
(my own view)
• As regards the urban component of the future EU
regional policy... Smart cities ?
• In the field of education with ERASMUS for all
• In the frame of the future HORIZON 2020 programme
linked with the EU research and innovation policy
Policy
Research and
Innovation

3. The Multiannual Financial Framework
2014-2020: adoption expected by the end of 2013
On the basis of the Commission proposal in 2011
In the limits of the mandates and budget given to the EU
•
1. Smart & inclusive growth (€451bn)
Education, Youth,
Sport
•
•
•
•
2.
3.
4.
5.
Connecting
Cohesion Competitive
Europe
Business SMEs
Horizon
2020
Sustainable growth, natural resources (€373bn)
Security and citizenship (€16bn)
Global Europe (€58bn)
Total:
Administration (€61.6bn)
€ 960bn
Policy
Research and
Innovation

4. Cities in the future EU regional policy
 Urban policy plays an important role in the EU
regional policy including cross border and
interregional cooperation, URBAN-URBACT…
 +/- 325 billion Euros over 2014-2020 for the EU
regional policy, first EU policy in terms of budget
 Priority
to
innovation
through
regional
innovation strategies – “smart specialization”
 5% for “integrated actions in favor of a
sustainable urban development” ?
 0,2% FEDER for “innovative urban actions” ?
 Urban Development Platform ?
Policy
Research and
Innovation

5. Cities in other EU policies
 Impact of EU regulation: air quality, waste
management, urban transport, digital agenda…
 Many
initiatives
and
programmes:
Erasmus, Local agenda 21, Covenant of
Mayors, JPI Urban Europe, EU cities of culture…
 Many
European
networks:
EUROCITIES, ICLEI, POLIS, Energy Cities, Baltic
cities…
 How can we promote more transversality ?
 “Smart cities” mainly led in the EC by DG
ENERGY, MOVE and CONNECT
Policy
Research and
Innovation

6. The city of Zaragoza in Europe
 700 000 inhabitants, much on urban transport
and digital innovation, International Expo 2008
on water and sustainable development
 New “smart cities” department
 Dialogue with companies, June 2013
 Dialogue with Universities last week involving
EUniverCities
 Green capital of Europe in 2016 ?
 The ETOPIA project, participation in the “open
days”, connections with EUROCITIES and ERRIN
Policy
Research and
Innovation

7. Universities in ERASMUS for all
 New
EU
programme
for
education, training, youth and sport, 19 billion
Euros ?
 Learning opportunities for individuals, more
international focus
 Institutional cooperation between educational
institutions, businesses, local and regional
authorities… creation of 400 “knowledge
alliances” and “sector skills alliances”
 Support
for
policy
reform
in
Member
States, follow up to the Bologna process…
Policy
Research and
Innovation

8. Universities in other EU policies
 Regional policy: useful involvement in the
setting up and implementation of regional
innovation strategies (the same for cities)
 Smart Spec FP 7 project starting now, led by
Cardiff University
 Social policy, European Social Fund
 Strong connections with culture, youth and
sport at a European level
 International dimension
 European Association of Universities, European
Consortium of innovative Universities...
Policy
Research and
Innovation

9. The University of Zaragoza in Europe
 Strong record in research in several science and
technological fields
 Strong efforts devoted to FP 7 opportunities
thanks to a collaborative network in Aragon
 Leader of a “Regions of Knowledge” project
between clusters on water management
 Strong attractiveness for Erasmus students
 Difficult challenge of innovation for all Spanish
Universities, involvement in regional strategies?
 Need
for
more
cooperation
between
Universities, the Campus Iberus opportunity
Policy
Research and
Innovation

10. Investment in R&D is part of the solution
to exit from the economic crises
Policy
Research and
Innovation

11. Opportunities from HORIZON 2020
• A single programme bringing together three separate
programmes/initiatives* - 70 billion Euros ?
• Coupling research to innovation – from research to
the market, all forms of innovation
• Focus on societal challenges facing EU society such
as health, clean energy and “green” transport
• Simplified access, for all
companies, universities, research centres...
*The 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7), innovation aspects of
Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP),
EU contribution to the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
Policy
Research and
Innovation

12. Horizon 2020 and partnering
•
Public public partnerships:
•
•
Through participation in joint programmes between Member States
•
•
Through « ERA-Nets » for topping up individual calls/actions
Supporting agendas of Joint Programming Initiatives when in line with Horizon
2020
Public private partnerships:
•
•
Or contractual agreements, which provide inputs for work programmes
•
•
Through Joint Technology Initiatives
Increased attention paid to SMEs in the whole programme
European Innovation Partnerships:
•
Not funding instruments, but for coordination with broader policies and
programmes, the example of active ageing
Policy
Research and
Innovation

13. In the end synergies are key
with a vision
•
The strong added value of the tandem method in
EUniverCities, peer reviews and exchange of (good
and bad) experiences
•
The challenge of a good cooperation between local –
regional – national – EU and international levels
(what I learnt in Brest, Brussels, Chapel Hill – USA
and Zaragoza)
•
The challenge of transversality between policies, at
all levels
•
Last but not least with a VISION (do we clearly know
what we are aiming at and can we share our vision
with our partners ? This also applies at all levels.
New European Parliament and Commission in
2014)
Policy
Research and
Innovation

14. Thank you
for your attention
and let us discuss!
Olivier Brunet
obrunet@ita.es until May 2014
Then olivier.brunet@ec.europa.eu
Research and
Innovation