A new 'ERA' : European Research Area and Pact for Research and Innovation

 

The ongoing covid pandemic has shown how necessary it is to have a robust research and innovation sector, able to address economic and societal challenges. A strong research and innovation sector can help accelerate Europe’s recovery, enable its digital transition and aid its green transition. For a competitive, innovative Europe, it is of paramount importance to fully utilise the European Union's innovative potential.

As such, research and innovation is one of the top priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In November 2021 the Council adopted conclusions on the governance of the European Research Area (ERA) and a Pact for Research and Innovation (R&I) in Europe, setting out priorities and a streamlined governance framework for the ERA, including an ERA policy agenda for 2022-2024.

Launched 20 years ago, the ERA has contributed to significant progress in areas such as research infrastructures, open science, international cooperation, gender balance in R&I, joint programming and the mobility of researchers.

The new initiatives for the ERA will see an updated agenda of priorities for organisations in both the private and public research sectors. The declaration additionally ties in the 'Horizon Europe' initiative, which, in conjunction with the ERA reforms, will unite a host of academic, scientific, and business organisations in following the 2022-2024 timeline.

Alongside the ERA conclusions, the Council Recommendation on a Pact for Research and Innovation calls on the 27 member states to apply a common set of values and principles for R&I in the Union to their R&I systems, in close collaboration with stakeholders. These standardising guidelines include ethics and integrity, freedom of scientific research, gender equality and equal opportunities, better working conditions and increased cooperation. The pact also sets out new voluntary targets for public R&D funding.  

The implementation of the ERA policy agenda will be reviewed by the European Commission every 18 months. Innovation remains an important aspect of Europe's essence, and introducing helpful frameworks helps to boost capabilities throughout the EU.

• Press Release on Council Conclusions

• Timeline

• Infographic European Reasearch Area

This post does not necessarily represent the positions, policies, or opinions of the Council of the European Union or the European Council.

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