"A better framework for innovation"

The EU is lagging behind major competitors in its ability to invest in research and turn these investments into marketable products and services. One of the key determinants of business success in today’s fast moving markets is the capacity to innovate, adapt and exploit new technologies and business models.

To build a political momentum around the need to make Europe a better place to innovate was the objective of the conference “A better framework for innovation”, which triggered the discussion with representatives of European institutions, companies and civil society on how to shape the EU policy landscape surrounding innovation.

Markus J. Beyrer, Director General of BUSINESSEUROPE, stressed the key role that the “innovation principle” can play in creating the right framework for innovation and foster a beneficial culture of entrepreneurship. “It is proposed to enrich and improve the quality and application of EU legislation”, he added, “to stimulate confidence and investment in innovation.”

High-level speakers and key stakeholders gathered at the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the EU to discuss concrete proposals to boost innovation governance, better innovation regulation and science-based policy-making. Among these, European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, Commissioners Carlos Moedas and Elżbieta Bieńkowska, members of the European Parliament, European Commission’s Deputy Secretary-General Jan-Eric Paquet and Senior Advisor on Innovation Robert Madelin took part in the discussion together with industry leaders, trade unions and the scientific community.

Follow the event on Twitter: #Innovation26Jan