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| European Commission > Investing in European Research > European Technology Platforms (ETPs) > Newsletter issue 2 |
 ETPs and national research programmesEuropean Technology Platforms were set up as a mechanism to bring together industry, researchers, public authorities, the financial community and civil society organisations to define a strategic agenda for the development and deployment of technologies involving major economic or societal challenges. The outcome of their work was expected to mobilise a critical mass of national and European public and private resources. Sometimes, though, the members tend to focus all their efforts on the European level, where the financial resources are limited, and forget about the funds that are available in Member States. There are various ways in which the ETP or their respective members can benefit from them when proposing their projects. One of the possibilities was setting up national TPs that have in most cases been established following national calls for proposals with varying degrees of involvement of European TPs in the process; therefore they exist in different forms. Some national TPs operate as national branches of the corresponding ETP, while others liaise mainly with their national government. Some countries have a very high number of national TPs because they have decided that the concept serves them well for national policy purposes. Other countries, however, have chosen a limited number of research priorities and have promoted the establishment of the corresponding TPs. The establishment of national TPs is perceived as a priority for autumn 2008 and the year 2009 by the Plant ETP. To find out more please contact the Secretariat: secretariat@plantetp.org Another option that most platforms used was creating a “mirror groups” (made up of MS representatives) with the aim of ensuring co-ordination and an effective interface between platform activities and complementary actions at a national level. The involvement of national (and regional) policy makers is important since Framework Programme funding is only a small fraction of the investment needed to implement Strategic Research Agendas: ETPs need to tap into other sources of funding. Moreover, alignment of EU and national research activities along a set of priorities agreed by all relevant parties in the field concerned can create synergies for a more effective investment in R&D in Europe. As regards composition of mirror groups, it is generally believed that technical experts from research programmes are the best profile. Some ministries set up a consultative group on ETPs to ensure that mirror group members (technical profiles) could spread the news to the relevant teams (other profiles). The final choice should always depend on the specific nature of the ETP. But the interest, involvement and role of national public authorities in the different ETPs varies. Looking into issues such as the composition and role of mirror groups, the way in which national platforms operate, and the outreach of ETPs on national programming might reveal strategies to optimise synergies and to improve information flows. Coordination needs also to be improved on the regional level as some regions are already proposing to join a JTI with a fund from their own regional budget. There are synergies between ETPs and research instruments managed at national level, such as ERA-Nets. To be able to create a well-functioning ERA-Net it is crucial to align the European priorities with the national ones. Discussing the role of the different groups of national/EU stakeholders in these processes could lead to new ways of sharing information and facilitating the dialogue of ETPs with ERA-Nets. Some ERA-Nets are already contributing to implement a part of an SRA. One of the examples of an active cooperation between the ETP and the ERA-Net is WoodWisdom. To find out more click here: ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/technology-platforms/docs/paavilainen.pdf Some ETPs have been active in exploring the possibility of mobilising structural funds for R&D investment aligned to their SRA, particularly in the ICT sector. There are ways to ensure that information about these possibilities reach managing authorities (MAs), and that there are mechanisms to bridge the gap between MAs and industry with an interest to invest in R&D. eMobility, by taking an active part in thematic conferences in Member States, tried to raise awareness of the broadband sector and have national and regional authorities invest the structural fund money in this area. To obtain more information please click here: ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/technology-platforms/docs/schattauer.pdf
 ETPs International Cooperation EuroAfrica- ICTFive European Technology Platforms are involved in strengthening EU-Africa relationship on ICT research. eMobility, NEM, NESSI, ARTEMIS and ISI together with more than 170 European, African and international organisations endorsed a Manifesto in order to facilitate the cooperation and help companies join in African projects. The collaboration is supposed to take place under the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development. To read more:
ULCOS- steel with reduced CO2 footprintThe challenge of reducing the CO2 emissions that has to be met by the industry. Even though the energy efficiency and recycling have reached high levels, to be able to achieve a 50% reduction in 40 years a breakthrough technology is crucial. ULCOS ( Ultra Low CO2 Steelmaking) is a cooperative project launched by ESTEP (European Steel Technology Platform) and composed of 48 partners from 13 EU countries that aims at identifying cutting edge technologies that would help achieve the goal. The ULCOS-I was an initial 5-year stage with a budget of 54 million euro that started in the middle of 2004 and was successfully completed in 2006 with 4 technologies selected for further investigation. The follow up ULCOS-II is foreseen to start in 2009 for another 5-year period. To read more:
Third Industrial RevolutionEuropean Technology Platforms take an active part in creating a Third Industrial Revolution having a mission of reaching a 20% increase in energy efficiency, a 20% reduction of global warming gases and a 20% increase in renewable energy by 2020. 12 ETPs joined the Third Industrial Revolution Inter-technology Platform working group in order to explore interfaces and synergies, share best practices and create a road map. The objective is to prepare a commercial infrastructure accompanied by new business models, employment opportunities, new goods and services. To read more:  ETPsSeminar on interactions between the ETPs and national research actors - 21 April 2008 To read more: EITThe European Institute of Innovation and Technology set for an autumn launch in Budapest To read more: Climate ChangeCommission launches public consultation on post-2012 agreement The European Commission launched a public consultation on the European Union's approach to a global climate change agreement up to and beyond 2012 when the current Kyoto Protocol targets will end. Stakeholders and the general public are invited to put forward their views on a number of critical issues, such as mid-term emission reduction targets for developed countries and emission reduction actions for developing countries, adaptation to climate change, technology cooperation and finance. The results of the survey will help shape the EU's position on the global post-2012 agreement. The consultation runs until 29 September 2008. Interested stakeholders are invited to participate by filling in the online questionnaire at: http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=climatepost2012 To read more: EnergyConsultation on requirements for a sustainability scheme for biomass for energy purposes To read more:  ACARE ARTEMIS 21-23 October 2008 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands ENIAC TPWind 8-9 October 2008 EPoSS 1-2 October 2008 in Nice area, France MANUFUTURE FTC 20 November 2008 in Brussels, Belgium 1-2 December 2008 in Enschende, The Netherlands HFP 13 – 15 October 2008 in Brussels, Belgium eMobility 4 September 2008 in Budapest, Hungary 16 October 2008 in Stockholm, Sweden NEM NESSI 10-13 December 2008 in Madrid, Spain 20-22 October 2008 in Wisła, Poland SusChem 15 September 2008 in Turin, Italy 14 October 2008 ZEP 10 November 2008 in Brussels, Belgium
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