No C 68/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 18. 3. 89 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Amended proposal for a Council Decision concerning the implementation at Community level 
of the main phase of the strategic programme for innovation and technology transfer (') 
Sprint (1989 to 1993) 
COM(89) 105 final 
(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 149 (3) of the EEC Treaty on 24 February 
1989) 
(89/C 68/12) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European 
Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee (2), 
"Whereas, under Article 2 of the Treaty, one of the major 
responsibilities of the Community is to ensure the 
harmonious development of the economy, together with 
continued and balanced growth throughout the 
Community; whereas, under Article 130A of the Treaty, 
it is required to achieve such harmonious development of 
the entire Community by developing and pursuing 
actions leading to the strengthening of the Community's 
economic and social cohesion; 
Whereas, under the terms of Article 130F of the Treaty, 
the Community has as an objective the reinforcement of 
the scientific and technological bases of European 
industry and the encouragement of the development of 
its international competitivity; whereas the attainment of 
this objective involves, in particular, a determined effort 
to promote innovation and technology transfer; 
Whereas the strategic Community programme for inno­
vation and technology transfer (Sprint) 1983 to 1989 (3) 
(') OJ No C 268, 15. 10. 1988, p. 3. 
(2) OJ No C 23, 30. 1. 1989, p. 6. 
(5) OJ No L 353, 15. 12. 1983, p. 12, and OJ No L 153, 13. 6. 
1987, p. 45. has demonstrated the need for, and added value to be 
derived from, an ambitious Community policy for inno­
vation and technology transfer, particularly with a view 
to achieving the internal market by the end of 1992; 
Whereas it is essential for the future of the Community 
to adopt appropriate measures to stimulate the innovative 
capacity of companies and to promote rapid application 
of new technologies as soon as they become available; 
Whereas many recent technologies have yet to achieve 
their full potential diffusion in certain traditional 
industrial sectors or in certain regions of lagging devel­
opment or industrial decline; whereas their rapid 
adoption could permit these sectors and regions to make 
up some of the leeway, thus strengthening not only the 
competitive position of the Community but also its 
economic and social cohesion; 
Whereas the Member States have developed specialized 
services for the support of innovation, technology 
transfer and consultancy in innovation management, 
financing and industrial cooperation; whereas these 
infrastructures have a significant multiplier effect in 
promoting innovation and technological development in 
companies, especially smaller ones, while the institution 
of transnational liaison, cooperation, training and 
transfer mechanisms optimize these national schemes; 
Whereas the Community itself, in complement to the 
actions of the Member States, has also undertaken 
initiatives to support innovation and technology transfer, 
as important elements in the implementation of other 
Community policies; 
18. 3. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 68/11 
Whereas it is appropriate to maximise these initiatives in 
order to reinforce their effectiveness and coherence; 
Whereas in this principal phase of the programme it is 
necessary to give greater prominence to the role of 
companies and their organizations, finance companies, 
specialized consultants and the professional personnel 
involved; 
Whereas in view of the importance of technology 
transfer and innovation for SMEs it is appropriate to 
coordinate the actions in this area with the policy in 
favour of SMEs developed by the Commission within the 
framework of its action programme ('); 
Whereas it is essential to have access to instruments 
providing a better understanding of the innovation and 
technology transfer process, in order to identify more 
clearly the obstacles to be encountered and to evaluate 
the impact of instruments and policies; 
Whereas reciprocal information flows, the exchange of 
experience and concertation between the Member States 
and the Commission with regard to innovation policies 
are essential to enhance their own effectiveness and the 
cohesion of the entire Community; 
Whereas there is a need to improve access to tech­
nologies, capital and markets in order to stimulate 
innovation; 
Whereas Community action appears necessary in these 
fields; whereas the Treaty makes no provision for 
corresponding powers of action, 
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
The main phase of the strategic programme for the 
promotion of innovation and technology transfer, here­
inafter referred to as the 'Sprint programme' (strategic 
programme for innovation and technology transfer), is 
hereby adopted for a period of five years from 1 January 
1989. 
Article 2 
The aims of the proposed programme are as follows: 
1. to strengthen the innovative capacity of European 
producers of goods and services, in view of the 1992 
single market; 
2. to promote rapid penetration of new technologies 
throughout the economic fabric of the Community, 
particularly in those regions and industrial sectors 
where they are as yet not fully integrated, thus streng-
(') COM(86) 445 final. thening, in close liaison with other policies, 
instruments and bodies promoted by the Community, 
its economic and social cohesion in the field of inno­
vation and technology transfer; 
3. to enhance the effectiveness and coherence of existing 
instruments and policies, whether regional, national 
or Community, in the field of innovation and tech­
nology transfer. 
Article 3 
With a view to achieving the aims set out in Article 2, 
the following actions will be undertaken, taking careful 
account of initiatives already underway, as provided for 
in Article 5: 
— strengthening of the innovation services infrastructure 
in the Community by the consolidation of existing 
transnational networks, and by the formation of 
further networks, paying particular attention to those 
areas of the Community where a suitable framework 
does not yet exist or is inadequate, and building upon 
existing organizations in the regions; 
— supporting intra-Community pilot projects for infor­
mation transfer where these are of value to the 
Community as a whole, 
— improving the innovation environment by a better 
understanding of the processes involved and 
increased concertation between the Member States 
and the Commission. 
These actions are described in detail in Annex I. 
Article 4 
The Community's contribution to the activities set out in 
Article 3 is estimated at ECU 130 million over the 
lifespan of the programme. 
A significant part of this amount will be employed, as a 
priority, to the benefit of regions of lagging development 
or industrial decline. 
Annex II provides an indicative breakdown of expen­
diture for the various actions set out in Article 3. 
Article 5 
1. The Commission is responsible for implementing 
the Sprint programme. 
2. The Commission is assisted by a committee, known 
as the 'Innovation Committee', comprising represen-
No C 68/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 18. 3. 89 
tatives of the Member States and chaired by the 
Commission's representative. 
The Commission's representative submits to the 
committee a proposal on measures to be taken. The 
deadline by which the committee must give its opinion 
on this proposal is set by the chairman in the light of the 
urgency of the issue. The opinion is adopted by the 
majority laid down in Article 148 (2) of the Treaty 
concerning the adoption of Decisions by the Council on 
a proposal from the Commission. For the purposes of 
voting within the committee, the votes of the national 
representatives will be weighted in accordance with the 
above Article. The chairman has no vote. 
The Commission adopts measures with immediate effect. 
Nevertheless, if these are not in accordance with the 
committee's opinion, these measures are immediately 
communicated to the Council by the Commission. In this 
case, the Commission may defer application of the 
measure it has promulgated for a maximum of one 
month from the date of this communication. 
The Council, acting by a qualified majority, may reach 
an alternative decision within the period set out in the 
above paragraph. 
3. With respect to the implementation of the plan of 
action outlined in Article 3, the Commission will consult 
the committee in particular with regard to: 
— priorities of the above plan of action, 
— evaluation of projects, 
— evaluation of the programme for the purposes of 
preparing the report called for under Article 8. 
4. The Commission will ensure close liaison between 
the Sprint programme and other related or 
complementary Community initiatives, in course or in 
preparation. 
Article 6 
1. The financial contribution of the Community will 
be adapted to the characteristics of the specific case. It 
may take the form of a direct or indirect subsidy, an 
advance on own capital, a contribution to a guarantee 
arrangement or any other appropriate form. This contri­
bution, as a percentage of total costs, shall be the lower 
the greater the proximity of the action or project to the 
market. 
2. The Commission will, in general, implement the 
Sprint programme by way of calls for proposals. 3. In implementing the programme, the Commission 
will also make use of the instruments and bodies 
promoted within the framework of other Community 
policies, in particular regional policy, in order to 
reinforce the efficiency of the programme and overall 
coherence. 
4. The Commission's contractors will, as a general 
rule, bear the major share of financing, and at least 
50 % of total costs. In exceptional cases, and after an 
opinion by the Innovation Committee, a contribution in 
excess of this percentage shall not be excluded, in 
particular for the purposes of taking account of the 
specific difficulties encountered by regions of lagging 
development or industrial decline in participating in 
transnational activities. 
Article 7 
In accordance with a procedure to be drawn up by the 
Commission, and after an opinion by the Innovation 
Committee, the Member States and the Commission 
shall conduct regular exchanges of all useful information 
with a bearing on the aims of the programme referred to 
in this Decision. 
Article 8 
During the third year of the programme's operation, the 
Commission will draw up a report assessing the results 
achieved and, after an opinion by the Innovation 
Committee, submit it to the Council, the European 
Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee. 
This report may be accompanied by proposals for 
modifying the programme, should these appear necessary 
in the light of the results. 
The European Parliament will be asked to give its 
opinion on this report and any accompanying proposals 
for modifications. 
On completion of the programme, and after an opinion 
by the Innovation Committee, the Commission will 
submit to the Council, the European Parliament and the 
Economic and Social Committee a report on the 
programme's implementation and results. 
Article 9 
The Commission shall use the most appropriate means to 
disseminate information throughout the Community on 
activities conducted in implementation of this Decision 
and the results of such activities. 
Article 10 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
18. 3. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 68/13 
ANNEX I 
STRATEGIC PROGRAMME FOR INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (Sprint) 
1989 to 1993 
AIMS AND DEFINITION OF ACTIONS 
Aims 
The aims of the programme are as follows: 
1. to strengthen the innovative capacity of European producers of goods and services with a view to the 
1992 single market; 
2. to promote rapid penetration of new technologies throughout the economic fabric of the Community, 
particularly in those regions and industrial sectors where they are as yet not fully integrated, thus 
strengthening, in close liaison with other policies, instruments and bodies promoted by the Community, 
its economic and social cohesion in the field of innovation and technology transfer; 
3. to enhance the effectiveness and coherence of existing instruments and policies, whether regional, 
national or Community, in the field of innovation. 
The proposed actions, comprising three priority lines of action, will make the most of the Community 
dimension and optimize national efforts in the field of innovation and technology transfer, thus 
accelerating the technological development of European industry. 
Lines of action 
A. STRENGTHENING THE EUROPEAN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR INNOVATION SERVICES 
BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INTRA-COMMUNITY NETWORKS 
In particular, this involves: 
1. The strengthening of intra-Community networks for innovation: 
(a) consolidation and development of existing networks, particularly involving: 
— technology and innovation management consultants, 
— sectoral collective research centres, 
— innovation financing institutions; 
(b) formation of new networks, particularly between: 
— contract-research organizations, 
— engineering consultants, 
— quality and value-analysis specialists, etc.; 
(c) strengthening intra-Community communication between: 
— research /industry and university/industry interface, 
— technopoles and science parks; 
(d) implementation of linkage mechanisms between the various innovation and technology transfer 
networks. 
2. Network support measures: 
(a) actions of information, awareness, promotion and the transfer of know-how in innovation 
management and related measures: 
— transnational and Inter-regional exchanges of experience across national boundaries, in 
particular through support for studies, specialist seminars and the formation of networks of 
experts in relevant management disciplines (quality, value analysis, marketing, etc.), 
— diffusion of these management techniques by appropriate promotional activities (conferences, 
exhibitions, European prizes, 'success stories', etc.), 
No C 68/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 18. 3. 89 
— actions of information, awareness and the transfer of know-how, of a transnational character 
or purpose, for actors involved in the diffusion and transfer of technology and in innovation 
management — these actions to be developed in close liaison with the Comett programme; 
(b) specific instruments to enhance the effectiveness of networks, involving particularly: 
— bringing together future network participants (for example by means of visits and 
professional exchanges, introductory seminars, etc.), 
— exchanges of technology opportunities, especially through measures aimed at: 
— enhancing the transnational impact of technology exhibitions and fairs (cooperation 
between organizers in different regions, visits by manufacturers from other regions, etc.), 
— developing means of communicating these technology opportunities and appropriate use 
thereof (catalogues, exhibitions, exchanges, data banks, conferences and seminars, video 
conferences, etc.), 
— identifying 'best practice' with respect to technology transfer, 
— specific measures to ensure that those regions of the Community with a less well-developed 
service infrastructure for innovation can participate more fully in the various intra-
Community networks; 
(c) the launching of innovations emerging from networks by improving the dialogue between sources 
of funding technical experts and innovators identified by the networks (for example, through a 
data bank of projects, intra-Community 'investment forums' and 'brokerage meetings'). 
B. SUPPORTING PILOT PROJECTS FOR INTRA-COMMUNITY INNOVATION TRANSFER, 
PARTICULARLY BY MEANS OF: 
— support for pilot projects of transnational character, emphasizing industrial cooperation and, in 
particular, involving the application of generic technologies to target industrial sectors in regions of 
lagging development or industrial decline of the Community, 
— accompanying measures to heighten awareness of these technologies and to train companies 
adopting them, emphasizing the transnational dimension, 
— the provision of technical support for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, 
potentially able to use these technologies, in particular by employing specialized technology transfer 
networks and advanced-technology centres, 
— support for the effective execution of projects, particularly by mobilizing available funding from the 
public and private sectors. 
Twin approaches can be followed: 
— one of these identifies available technologies with a cost-benefit ratio suiting them for widespread 
adoption by companies in regions of lagging development or industrial decline, and is therefore 
designed to promote the use of these technologies in the sectors concerned, 
— the other is based on identifying a problem, for which a solution can be found, common to a group 
of companies in a given industrial sector or region. It encourages the identification and possible 
adaptation of available technologies to deal with the problem. 
The planned projects must be on a large enough scale to act as a catalyst in the development of the 
industrial sectors and the use of the technologies concerned. They must also meet, wholly or in part, the 
following criteria: 
— be model projects in as much as they employ a 'systemic' overall approach to the introduction of 
technological change, not only in purely technical terms but also with regard to such aspects as 
company organization, the training and motivation of personnel and the use of such management 
methods as value analysis, industrial design and the assessment of market potential, 
— provide an optimum combination of skills through transnational (between several Member States of 
the Community) and, wherever possible, transfunctional (between partners of differing specialist 
skills) and inter-regional cooperation, 
18. 3. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 68/15 
— involve industrial sectors or technologies chosen to guarantee a significant economic impact, 
— make an active contribution to reducing regional disparities in the availability of — and access to — 
technologies, 
— be based as far as possible on existing infrastructures and enhance the use made of these, 
— include follow-up and evaluation provisions, based in particular on stated and readily verifiable 
quantitative aims, 
— ensure feedback of the experience gained, preferably directly by the companies benefiting from the 
scheme, in order to maximize the multiplier effect. 
C. IMPROVING THE INNOVATION ENVIRONMENT THROUGH A BETTER UNDER­
STANDING OF THE PROCESSES INVOLVED AND INCREASED CONCERTATION 
BETWEEN THE MEMBER STATES AND THE COMMISSION 
1. Monitoring of innovation in Europe (European innovation monitoring system) and evaluation of 
support measures. 
2. Strengthening concertation and the exchange of experience between the Member States and the 
Commission in the field of innovation policy and technology transfer, in particular with the aim of 
establishing a regulatory, legal, economic and fiscal environment favourable to innovation and tech­
nology transfer.