The new European Research Area, which is based on excellence, competitiveness, openness and talent-drivenness, will improve Europe's research and innovation landscape, accelerate the EU's transition towards climate neutrality and digital leadership, support its recovery from the societal and economic impact of the coronavirus crisis, and strengthen its resilience against future crises.
A Communication on a new European Research Area for Research and Innovation was adopted by the European Commission, in which the Commission also developed strategic objectives and actions to be implemented in close cooperation with the Member States.
In order to prioritise investments and reforms in research and innovation, improve access to excellence for researchers across the EU and enable research results to reach the market and the real economy, the European Commission developed strategic goals and actions, which are going to be implemented in close cooperation with the Member States.
The Communication defines four strategic objectives, in order to prioritise investments and reforms in research and innovation, improve access to excellence for researchers across the EU and enable research results to reach the market and the real economy. The strategic objectives are:
- Prioritise investments and reforms in research and innovation towards the green and digital transition, to support Europe's recovery and increase competitiveness.
- Improve access to excellent facilities and infrastructures for researchers across the EU.
- Transfer results to the economy to boost business investments and market uptake of research output, as well as foster EU competitiveness and leadership in the global technological setting.
- Strengthen mobility of researchers and free flow of knowledge and technology, through greater cooperation among Member States, to ensure that everyone benefits from research and its results.
The European Research Area, launched in 2000, aimed to better organising and integrating Europe's research and innovation systems and enhancing cooperation between the EU, the Member States, their regions and their stakeholders. Its aims also were easier circulation of researchers, scientific knowledge and technology throughout the EU, as well as stimulation of cross-border cooperation and improvement and coordination of the research and innovation policies and programmes of the Member States. In December 2019, Member States advised on the future of the European Research Area through an opinion of the European Research and Innovation Committee and developed the aforementioned document.
As part of its initiatives to support the recovery and build a green and digital Europe, the Commission also adopted a new Digital Education Action Plan, to adapt education and training systems to the digital age, as well as a Communication on the European Education Area as a driver for job creation and growth.
As part of the EU response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Commission introduced the ERAvsCorona Action Plan in April of this year, which covers short-term actions based on close coordination, cooperation, data sharing and shared funding efforts.
On the website of the European Commission is possible to find more information on the above mentioned documents and Commission`s plan to support green and digital transition and EU recovery.