One of the novel aspects of the Innovation Union initiative is that it aims to mobilise research efforts to tackle major challenges across all sections of society. The European Commission has proposed launching ‘Innovation Partnerships’ focused on these different challenges. The areas identified so far include an ageing population, climate change and resource efficiency.

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, the European commissioner for research, innovation and science, says this approach will “bring together resources, technologies and knowledge across different fields and from different players to solve problems and bring innovative and helpful products to market”.

The hope is that the broad political consensus about the need to tackle these issues will overcome the fragmentation of research efforts at national level, and lead to the pooling of resources.

At the same time, the size of the EU’s public-procurement sector should provide a ready-made market for products and services developed under the partnership.

The first Innovation Partnership, launched as a pilot project, focuses on active and healthy ageing.

This seeks to identify ways to extend by two years the average length of time that citizens live a healthy and independent life. This would have the dual benefit of helping the sustainability of social welfare and healthcare schemes, and developing a market for new products and services which EU businesses can sell globally.

The decision to launch further Innovation Partnerships will depend on an assessment by the Commission of the success of the pilot scheme on healthy ageing. The Commission will present an interim report on the project to national research ministers on 30 September. Depending on their reaction, the Commission will propose two additional partnerships before the end of the year. These are expected to be on raw materials and sustainable agriculture.

Fact File

Potential partnerships

Sustainable supply of non-energy raw materials
The aim is to ensure a secure energy supply and to achieve efficient and sustainable management and use of non-energy materials. It will involve demonstration projects for ten pilot plants for raw materials extraction, processing and recycling, and finding substitutes for at least three applications of critical raw materials.

Agricultural productivity and sustainability
The aim is to promote a resource-efficient, productive and low-emission agricultural sector that can deliver a safe and steady supply of food, feed and biomaterials.

Smart cities
The aim is to support European cities with a total population of at least 20 million reduce their carbon emissions by 20% by 2020. The partnership is designed to demonstrate that rapid progress is possible at local level towards the EU’s energy and climate change goals, while showing citizens that their quality of life and local economies can be improved if investments are made in energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy management systems.

Water-efficient Europe
The programme seeks to promote innovations to achieve the EU’s water policy objectives, including reducing the EU’s water footprint, improving water security, and promoting the European water industry.

Smart mobility
This partnership seeks to provide seamless door-to-door travel and effective logistics by promoting intelligent transport systems.

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