EUREKA report marks two decades of research success

To mark its 20th anniversary, EUREKA has published an illustrated report on the impact of this intergovernmental research initiative. The 60-page publication shows how, for two decades, EUREKA has supported members in achieving their research and development (R&D) goals and made a substantial contribution to increasing European competitiveness. It also indicates how EUREKA pioneered research co-operation between east and west Europe far in advance of EU enlargement.

“This report explains how substantial public and private funding has been deployed through EUREKA to support critical market-oriented R&D in transnational and collaborative projects involving industry, research centres, universities and national administrations since 1985,” observes Michel Vieillefosse, head of the EUREKA Secretariat in Brussels. “With over 11,000 partners involved, 40% of which are SMEs, industry values our bottom-up, non-bureaucratic, flexible and near-to-market character.”

Unrivalled R&D networking

EUREKA’s highly successful achievements in supporting and developing pan-European innovation are often cited as an ideal model for encouraging leading edge R&D by national authorities. The decentralised EUREKA structure offers members an unrivalled opportunity to join forces in carrying out near-market R&D through cross-border collaborative projects.

Thanks to EUREKA, thousands of scientists and researchers are working together developing innovative products in Europe. Some 2,600 projects have been completed for more than € 24,000 million. On average, public funding invested is returned less than two years after project completion.

Continuing to ensure success

“EUREKA will continue to ensure the success of European industry – particularly through its support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and its closeness to the market,” according to Michel Vieillefosse. Moreover, EUREKA is playing an important role in ensuring Europe reaches the Barcelona Objective of increasing national R&D funding to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP). EUREKA has grown from its initial 19 members to 36: 35 countries and the EU, represented by the European Commission.

20TH ANNIVERSARY REPORT: Two decades of support for European innovation; published by the EUREKA Secretariat, Brussels, September 2005.

Copies of the report are available from the Secretariat in English. Alternatively, the whole report may be downloaded from the EUREKA website (www.eureka.be) in English, and will be available in French, German, Spanish and Italian soon.