Activities of Dace MELBĀRDE related to 2019/0152(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) 2021-2027: Boosting the Innovation Talent and Capacity of Europe
Amendments (39)
Amendment 100 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2
3.2. Supporting the innovation and entrepreneurial capacity of higher education 11
Amendment 106 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 2
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 2
Each KIC is organised around five to ten of co-location centres (CLCs22 ) which are intended to act as geographical hubs for the practical integration of the knowledge triangle. They are organised and structured according to their respective national and regional innovation context and build on a pan- European network of existing labs, offices or campuses of a KICs’ core partners. __________________ 22 A ‘Co-location centre’ is a geographical area where the main KICs knowledge triangle partners are based and can easily interact, providing the focal point for the KICs’ activity in that area.
Amendment 111 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 3 – indent 2
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 3 – indent 2
— Activities supporting innovation toInnovation and entrepreneurial activities to help develop innovative, products, processes and services that address a specific business opportunity;
Amendment 112 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 14
Annex I – point 1 – point 1.2 – paragraph 14
In the backdrop of persisting regional disparities in innovation performance, the EIT launched a Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) in 2014 to widen its regional outreach to modest and moderate innovator countries. Through the RIS. Through the RIS, so far run on a voluntary basis, the EIT has moderately expanded its activities across Europe and now offers nowlimited opportunities for regionstakeholders in Member States with low innovation performance to engage in knowledge triangle activities as part of the a KIC community. This is also reflected in the share ofLess than one tenth of the EIT funding allocatedis going to EU-13 partners (8.3% as compared to 4.8% in Horizon 2020 as of 201891.7% for EU-15 countries).
Amendment 124 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – paragraph 1
Annex I – point 2 – paragraph 1
The EIT as an integral part of the Horizon Europe programme will contribute delivering on its overarching objectives and priorities. The KICs will be part of the Institutionalised European Partnerships, meaning they will follow a set of principles and life-cycle criteria to ensure a more coherent, transparent, open and impact- driven approach. The EIT general objectives therefore reflect the overall role of the EIT in Horizon Europe and its place in the [Innovative Europe Pillar].
Amendment 126 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Annex I – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) Strengthen sustainable innovation ecosystems across Europe; Particular attention shall be paid to geographical balance;
Amendment 140 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 1 – paragraph 1
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 1 – paragraph 1
The integration of the knowledge triangle by the EIT and KICs at EU, Member States, regional and local levels will remain a core task for strengthening innovation ecosystems and making them sustainable, as well as for developing new solutions to global challenges. The EIT will continue support a portfolio of KICs (see Figure 2) and will further strengthen its successful platform for launching, growing and managing them. KICs will continue to operate through co-location centeres (CLCs). The KICs will continue to pursue financial sustainability in order to achieve financial independence from the EIT grant in the long-term (at the latest, after 15 years) through leveraging public and private investment.
Amendment 141 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 1
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 1
Amendment 143 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
The EIT shall ensure that EIT RIS activities is used to attract and facilitate integration of potential new partners that add value to the KICs, thus extending EIT's pan-European coverage, and are fully integrated in KIC's multi-annual strategies. The EIT Regional Innovation Scheme, steered by the EIT and implemented by KICs, has been so far run on a voluntary basis. From 2021 on, the EIT RIS will become an integral part of the KIC’ multi- annual strategy, thus expanding the EIT's pan-European reach. The EIT will continue to provide guidance and support to KICs in the preparation and implementation of multi- annual EIT RIS strategies and in their implementation. EIT RIS activities will continue with improved support to the innovation capacity of EU- 13 countries and regions that underperform in terms of innovation in order to foster their integration in the KICs' communities. The EIT budget devoted to implementing EIT RIS activities will be at least 120% of the overall EIT support funding to KICs, thereby striving to increasinge the number of KIC partners from targeted regionMember States. Activities supported through the RIS will aim to:
Amendment 145 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
— improve the innovation capacities of the local ecosystem, via capacity building activities and closer interactions between the local innovation actors (SMEs, clusters, networks, regional authorities, HEIs, research organisations, VET institutions);
Amendment 146 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 1 a (new)
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 1 a (new)
- support the objective of attracting new partners to KICs by establishing new CLCs so as to improve geographical balance.
Amendment 147 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2
— link local innovation ecosystems to pan-European innovation ecosystems through cooperation with EIT KICs and their co-locations centres.
Amendment 148 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 3
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 2 – paragraph 3
In addition, in order to ensure KICs’ deeper integration in local innovation ecosystems, each KIC will be required to develop and implement a strategy aiming at strengthening the relationship with regional and local innovation actors, especially those from EU-13 countries, and the EIT will actively monitor the implementation. A “place-based” innovation approach should be integrated within the KIC’s multi-annual strategy and business plan and build on KIC’s CLCs (and RIS), thus leveraging on their role as gateway for accessing a KIC community and interacting with the co-located partners. KICs should demonstrate links with local Smart Specialisation Strategies and with the activities of relevant thematic platforms and interregional initiatives, including the Managing Authorities of ESI Funds. The EIT will also monitor how CLCs and RIS beneficiaries operate and how they integrate in the local innovation ecosystems.
Amendment 151 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 3 – paragraph 3
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.1 – point 3 – paragraph 3
Based on a proposal from the EIT Governing Board and an analysis thereof, athe first KICnew KIC will be launched in the field of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) is proposed to be launched ino later than 2022 with a call for proposals to be published in 2021. This priority field has the strongest complementarity with the eight KICs that have already been launched by the EIT, as well as with the potential priority areas for other European Partnerships to be launched in the framework of Horizon Europe. CCI are a sector with a high growth potential, many grass-roots initiatives and strong citizen appeal. They are strongly embedded in their local and regional ecosystems. However, CCI are still a very fragmented sector and the innovators and business creators lack the needed entrepreneurial and innovation skills. These bottlenecks would be best tackled by a KIC thanks to its knowledge triangle integration approach, long-term perspective and place- based approach. A factsheet summarizing the challenges of the CCI field and the expected impact of the future KIC is included in Annex 1B to this SIA.
Amendment 156 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2 – introductory part
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2 – introductory part
3.2. Supporting the innovation and entrepreneurial capacity of higher education
Amendment 158 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 1
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 1
Through the knowledge triangle integration model, the EIT has helped to bridge the persistent gap between higher education, research and innovation. In particular, the EIT is a key tool for the development of human capital through its distinctive focus on entrepreneurial education. However, the impact of the EIT remains limited toand must be further extended beyond the KICs’ partners.
Amendment 162 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
In cooperation with the Commission, the EIT, through its KICs, shall design and launch activities to support the development of innovation and entrepreneurial capacity of HEIs, starting in 2021.
Amendment 167 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 8
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.2 – paragraph 8
The EIT will in particular target HEIs from EU-13 countries that are moderate and modest innovators and other low performing regions that wishin order to strengthen their innovation footprint and Smart Specialisation Strategies. The EIT will allocate to this measure at least 2530% of the overall budget allocated to these activities.
Amendment 169 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.3 – point 1 – paragraph 2
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.3 – point 1 – paragraph 2
In order to ensure wider dissemination and better understanding of the opportunities offered by the EITInstitute, the EIT will explore the possibility to reinforce guidance and assistance to new potential partners on aspects related to participation in EIT KICs across Europe by building on existing and, where necessary, establishing new networks of information across Europe.
Amendment 171 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 4 – paragraph 1
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 4 – paragraph 1
The EIT will provide operational guidance to and continuously monitor the KICs on' compliance with sound management principles set in the EIT regulation, the principles and criteria set out for European Partnerships in the Horizon Europe regulation ands well as alignment with Horizon Europe priorities in order to maximize their performance and impact. Appropriate corrective measures will be taken in case a KIC underperforms or delivers inadequate results.
Amendment 173 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 4 – paragraph 2
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 4 – paragraph 2
Amendment 176 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 4 – paragraph 3
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 4 – paragraph 3
As KICs operate across the entire value chain of innovation, they will ensure an appropriate balance of education, entrepreneurship and innovation activities in their Business Plan portfolio. KICs operations will be implemented through a lean, efficient and cost-effective structure that would keep administrative and overhead costs to a minimum4%. EIT will ensure that KICs will achieve their expected impacts through a broad range of activities, identified in the KICs’ Business Plans, which effectively support the fulfilment of their objectives.
Amendment 177 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 5 – paragraph 2
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 5 – paragraph 2
Firstly, the EIT will introshall gradually reduce athe co-funding rate in order to increase the levels of private and public investments. The adaptation of the funding model will facilitate the KICs in the transition towards financial sustainability. It will incentivise them to decrease gradually during the duration of the framework partnership agreements the share of EIT funding in their Business Plan while increasing the level of co-investment from non-EIT sources. Fixed decreasing co-funding rates will be applicable across phases of the entire KICs’ life cycle (start-up, ramp-up, maturity, exit from the EIT grant) as presented below.
Amendment 178 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 5 – paragraph 4
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 5 – paragraph 4
Secondly, the grant allocation process currently used will be geared more strongly towards competitive performance and results and the use of multiannual grants. The EIT funding will be directly tied to progress made in the areas defined in the EIT regulation, inter alia, taking into account their openness to new partners as well as the striving towards geographical balance. The EIT Governing Board will provide stronger incentives to KICs in particular based on their individual performance in order to ensure the highest level of impact. The EIT will therefore amend its competitive funding provisions in order to improve its impact as part of Horizon Europe.
Amendment 179 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Annex I – point 3 – point 3.4 – point 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The EIT shall develop general principles for its relations with the KICs after the termination of the framework partnership agreement in line with the Horizon Europe framework for European Partnerships. Subject to an in-depth independent study in close cooperation with the Commission, by the end of 2023, the EIT will define its relations with the KICs that will stop receiving support grants in the course of the 2021-2027 programming period. Subject to a positive outcome of a final review, the EIT may conclude a “Memorandum of Co- operation” with each KIC, aiming to maintain cooperation with KICs after the termination of the framework partnership agreement. This Memorandum should include, inter alia, rights and obligations linked to:
Amendment 185 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.1 – paragraph 2
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.1 – paragraph 2
Around EUR [2500] million (83,3 % of the total EIT budget) is envisaged to fund existing and new KICs and includes EUR [200] million% for the Regional Innovation Scheme. Through the introduction of a co- funding rate, the KICs are expected to mobilise a further EUR [1500] million of other public and private sources. The budget for the launch of two new KICs (to be launched in 2022 and 2025, respectively) will be around EUR [300] million. Should additional budget to that of the EIT become available, the EIT could also launch additional KICs.
Amendment 186 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.1 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.1 – paragraph 2 a (new)
The EIT will launch a new support action to facilitate the establishment of new CLCs in Member States which are not represented or remain underrepresented in the current KICs.
Amendment 187 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.1 – paragraph 3
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.1 – paragraph 3
The EIT will launch a new support action to help develop the entrepreneurial and innovation capacity of HEIs. This action will require horizontal project management and monitoring services. Around EUR [400] million14% of the EIT budget (max. 14%) is needed to implement these activities, with EUR [120] million dedicated to the start-up phase (first 3 years) and the rest for the scale-up phase (final 4 years)
Amendment 188 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.2 – paragraph 6
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.2 – paragraph 6
Overall, it will be a responsibility of the EIT to regularly monitor the operational performance of the KICs and to adapt continuously its monitoring systems in line with Horizon Europe monitoring and reporting framework for European Partnerships and in cooperation with the Horizon Europe common corporate services. The results of such monitoring will feed intodetermine the KICs business planning processes and into the EIT's decision- making on the allocation of the budget and preparation of the framework partnership agreements with the KICs as beneficiaries.
Amendment 189 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.2 – paragraph 8
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.2 – paragraph 8
The tables below provides the non- exhaustive lists of management and monitoring indicators and their targets that would be monitored by the EIT in 2021-2027. These indicators provide the main input and output orientations for monitoring the achievement of EIT’s key objectives for the period 2021-2027 such as fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through better education, increasing its regional impact and openness towards potential partners and stakeholders, and bringing new innovative solutions to global challenges to market.
Amendment 191 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.2 – paragraph 9 a (new)
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.2 – paragraph 9 a (new)
The continuous monitoring of KICs shall inter alia address the following aspects: - Progress towards improving geographical balance and ensuring pan- European coverage and openness; - Progress towards financial stability; - KICs' administrative and management costs; - Effectiveness in business acceleration.
Amendment 193 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.2 – paragraph 10
Annex I – point 4 – point 4.2 – paragraph 10
Amendment 206 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
— Producers, distributors, broadcasters, cinema theatres and all types of cultural organizsations need to innovate in order to attract new generations of audiences.
Amendment 212 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 3 – indent 3
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 3 – indent 3
— A significant share of regional smart specializsation priorities in Europe refer to culture under different angles (e.g. cultural heritage, creative industries, etc.). Given the important role of culture and creativity for the economic and social development of cities and regions and their ability to further help address disparity issues across Europe, the potential of the CCI KIC is high.
Amendment 213 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
CCI are able to drive innovation in other sectors of the economy. Current challenges related to European employment, economic resilience, and smart growth, include economic issues such aslack of innovation, skills (especially digital skills), unemployment (especiallyin particular youth unemployment) an, underemployment, as well as increased global competition.
Amendment 216 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 4 – indent 2
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 4 – indent 2
— European industries are challenged byhave largely failed to embrace digitizalisation and globalization and their powerful impact on the way artists produce and distribute their works and relate to their audiences. The collapse of DVD markets, new consumer expectations and the continued power of US studios together with the rise of global digital giants like Amazon, ITunes, Google and Netflix have impacted the traditional value chainthe shifting consumer expectations, falling behind in relevant innovation and thus unable to reap the benefits of the changing consumer expectations. The rise of the video streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+ as well as the forthcoming ones including Quibi and HBO Max, combined with the continued, albeit diminishing power of US studios have impacted the way artists produce and distribute their works and relate to their audiences.
Amendment 219 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 5
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – paragraph 5
Finally, the role of Europe as a global actor includes the need to enhance the dissemination of the cultural content created in Europe. Europe needs to remain competitive in the global digital race for creation and development of new technologies (e.g. machine learning and AI, IoT, blockchain) for which CCI are important generators of content, products and services globally. Moreover, on a global scale, CCI (e.g. design, architecture, etc.) contribute actively to the sustainable development and drive green innovation, while cultural content (literature, film and the arts) can raise awareness of ecological problems and inform public opinion.
Amendment 222 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – paragraph 1
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – paragraph 1
An EIT KIC on CCI – with its holistic and integrated approach - will help address all challenges defined abovestrive to tackle the above-mentioned challenges. By covering nearly all sectors of our lives, society and economy, such KIC will be highly relevant in terms of economic and societal impact, unlocking strategic opportunities for economic, technological as well as social innovation.
Amendment 226 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – paragraph 2
Annex I – point 6 – paragraph 1 – point 8 – paragraph 2
Culture-based and creativity-driven innovations boost European competitiveness either directly by creating new enterprises and jobs or indirectly by creating cross-sector benefits to the wider economy, improving quality of life and increasing the attractiveness of Europe. CCIs are increasingly seen as new sources of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs., employing already more than 12 million people in the EU, which amounts to 7.5% of all EU people in employment.