What are Technological Platforms?
Technological Platforms are an innovative new element in the research policy of the EU. They gather together all parties interested in a specific sector or field. These fields are chosen based on their strategic importance, or because of their potential contribution to the European Union’s objectives in the areas of employment, competitiveness and knowledge-based growth.
What Fields Feature Technological Platforms?
The first technological platform was established in the aeronautical sector in 2001. Since then, the concept has significantly evolved to a current amount of 22 platforms in sectors including aeronautics, hydrogen, nanoelectronics, innovative medicines and steel. The latest platform was created in the textile sector.
Who Participates in Technological Platforms?
All important groups in a sector are gathered under a technological platform. Each of these groups is different according to the sector they belong to, but all of them include research centres, national and regional public authorities and financial agencies, and the main propellant for every group is the industry.
What is the Aim of Technological Platforms?
Technological Platforms are developed to promote the creation of public-private associations. Through this cooperation, technological platforms are able to define technological and research priorities that are needed by a specific sector in a middle or long term. Besides, they can coordinate national and European, and public and private investments in R+D. By doing so, technological platforms can significantly contribute to development of the European Research Space.
What is the Future of Technological Platforms?
Technological Platforms play an important role in the efforts to propel research and technological development in Europe and to use knowledge in achieving economic growth. The first Annual Chart of Indicators for Research in R+D evidences all the work that has yet to be done by the EU in order to reach the goal of investing 3 percent of GDP in research and development.
In the 16 June 2004 Communication on the future of European research, the Commission highlighted the potential of technological platforms. The Commission considers necessary to improve the positive experience acquired so far with other resources, such as a privileged position of technological platforms within the Framework Programme for Research.
In a conference held on 15 December, industrial leaders of existing technological platforms agreed to work towards a volunteer code of best practices that addresses, for example, transparency, participation guides for communication with the local area and dialogue with other actors in society.
Likewise, there was an exchange of best practices on how to get Member Statesand regional authorities to continue participating towards achieving the success of technological platforms and their commitment to them.
Go to the Document on Technological Platforms prepared by the European Union (in Spanish)