In the work with the new generation of structural funds from EU and its connection to the 7:th framework program for R&D, Vinnova asked professor Jan-Evert Nilsson together with two students, Ana Mafalda Madureira and Victor Gheorghe, to carry out a study abut how other countries in the Union are working with the funds as a tool to promote innovation.
The group decided to first of all make a screening of six countries. Focus in is on the national innovation system in 6 countries (Austria, Finland, The Netherlands, Ireland, Portugal and Estonia). These are countries that have programmes within the structural funds destined to promote innovation and R&D. In the other part of the study, focus is more specific on planning and implementing innovation in Austria and Netherlands.
Structural Funds as instrument to promote Innovation are highly recommended fore those interested in Structural Funds as instrument to promote Innovation are highly recommended fore those interested in how to direct the structural funds more in line with the Lisbon agenda.