CELEX: 51988PC0426
Language: en
Date: 1988-07-20
Title: 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) (1989-1993) (Communication from the Commission)

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 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                          COM(88 ) 426 final
                                          Brussels , 20 July 1988
                          Proposai for a
                         COUNCIL DECISION
     concerning the implementation at Community level of the
            main phase of the strategic programme for
                innovation and technology transfer
                              (SPRINT )
                            ( 1989-1993 )
 ---pagebreak---                                         тангя ор амтатгз
                                                                          Page
I.   Introduction                                                            1
     1 . The background                                                      I
          1.1 Innovation and Technology transfar                             1
          1.2 The situation in Europe                                        4
     2 . Progrèss already achieved in the Cannunity                          5
II . A Carmunity programme for innovation and technology transfer            9
     1 . Airas                                                              9
     2 . A programme of priority actions                                    9
         2 .A. Strengthening the European infrastructure for               10
                innovation services by establishing intra-Corrrnunity
                nefcworks
                2.A.1 The strengthening of intra-Cormunity innovation 11
                         networxs
                2 . A. 2 Acccmpanying measuras                             12
                         2 . A. 2 . a Promotion of innovation inanagement  13
                         2.A.2.D Spécifie instruments to enhance           14
                                      the effectiveness of netasorks
                         2.A.2.C The launching of innovations              15
                                      emerging from networks
         2 . B. Supporting pilot projects far intra-Gamnunity             16
                innovation transfer
         2.C. Improving the innovation environnent through a              19
                better understanding of the processes involved
                and increased cones rtation between tna ’’'.ember
                States ami the Commission
                2.C.1 Monitoring of innovation in Europe                  20
                         ("European Innovation Monitoring System")
                2 . G. 2 Strengthening concertation and exchange of       20
                         experienca between the Member States
                         and the Commission
                                                                               Z
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 2 -
III . ' Implémentation of the programme of priority actions           21
IV .    Conclusions                                                   22
Annex          ■ Proposal for a Decision concerning implementation at
                 Ccmnunity level of the main phase of the strategic
                 programme for innovation and technology transfer -
                 SPRINT - 1989-1993
Annex I      -   Aims and definition of actions
Annex II     -   Indicative internal breakdown of appropriations
Annex III -      Brief review of the SPRINT progranme 1983-1988
Impact en employment and ccmpetitiveness
 ---pagebreak---  I.    mnmmcN
 1.    THE BfiCMJHCtMD
 "Of the products in daily use in ten years' time , more than 60% do not yet
 exist ".
 "Over the past fifteen years , the number of patents filed In the Member
States has fallen by half, whereas it has remained unchanged in the United
States and risen by a factor of 2.5 in Japan".
 In spite of their overly dramatic nature , these two often repeated state-
ents are indicative of the problems associated with innovation in Europe .
While the former demonstrates the growing pace of technological change and
the permanent need to innovate , the latter highlights the intensity of
technological competition , now a global phenomenon ,      and the relative
decline of Europe in this struggle .
1.1 . Innovation and technology transfer
Following generally accepted definitions ,       innovation is : the process
whereby a new idea , emerging frcm research or observation af the market ,
is transformHid irtt-n a new or inproved product, process car service that is
сашегсдаИу зиссеза&Л ат, 1п 1Ъе сазе а± псо-пвгкеЬ. ргоДисЕз апс! зет-
vices , <ynns a large measiire of social acceptance .
Innovation applies to ail fields of human activity and affects ail secte rt
of économie activity, including the most traditional .
 ---pagebreak--- Tre innovation process is essentiaily linked, and is verv oftan syno-
nymous , witn technoiogy transfer .
In its tum , technoiogy transfer taxes tvro major forts , though in practice
tnese often overlap :
.  Vertical technology transfer takes ideas fran individual or collective
   research right througn to their launch on the market . These inventions
   are often fundamentally new, representing breaks with past practice .
   They are numerically few, ’out of great strategic importance . This
   complex process often involves many partners : universities and research
   centres , innovation centres and science parks , business incubators , in¬
   dustrial property advisers , consultants on company strategy and market¬
   ing , providers of seed capital for innovative projects and, of course ,
   companies thaxiselve3 .
Vertical technology transfer occurs in rrany ways , ranging frcm R&D ón a
contractual basis through the launching of new high-tech ccmpanies by re-
searcners to the transfer of inventions to compames whicn ensura tneir
subsequent development and coamercialisation .
.  Horizontal technology transfer relates to the diffusion of new ideas
   fran one geographical area to another , fran one research centra to an¬
   other . The life cycle of products and services is steadily shortening
   as a result of the growing linkage between world markets and the accel¬
   erating pace of technical progress . If an innovation is to yield maxi¬
   mum profit, therefore , it must be quickly introduced in the largest
   possible markets . This second aspect is often vitally important for
   smaller canpanies without the .'"’search capacity to develop a technology
   themselves or 'which lack the financial , technical and canmercial re¬
   sources to achieve wide diffusion of cheir own i:movations .
 ---pagebreak---     A. further aspect of horizontal transfer is the trans-sectoral diffusion
   of a technology developed in one particular scientific or industrial
    field and its application in other settings . The most carman example
   are the so-called generic technologies such as the laser , electronics ,
   informatics and biotechnology, which are being used in ever-widening ,
   both process and product applications .
   Horizontal technology transfer predominantly taxes the form of agree¬
   ments for technological and industrial cooperation between companies ,
   and the negotiation of patent or know-how licences . It involves spe¬
   cialized advanced-technology centres and licence brokers , manufactu¬
   rers , major industrial firms and specialized consulting engineers .
In this vital field for technological renewal and economic competitive¬
ness , Europe is still far from matching the efficiency and organisation of
its major 'competitors .
Although innovation relies - to an even greater extent - on technological
inputs ( information technologies play a vital role in company organisation
itself ) , it is now accepted that the introduction of new technology into
companies or organizations is a complex process in which the technological
aspect is of major , but not exclusive significance . Moreover , because most
present-day innovations incorporate added " information", it is increasing^
ly inappropriate to distinguish between a product and the service with
which it is intrinsically bound up . One of the most intractable proolems ,
therefore , is the interplay between technology and market .
 ---pagebreak---  fiance , innovation up lies new management skills and techniques ( value ,
 design and quality analysis , marketing of new products,' etc .), forms of
 industrial organisation and methods of motivation aai training of the
workforce - all highlighting the importance still to be attached to tne
 " human factor". Communication between the various participants in the pro¬
 cess , and the networks through which it takes place , takes on particular
 significance .
 1.2 The situation in Europe
The economic prosperity of the Community is largely dependent cn the
progress achieved by its industries and their resulting competitive edge .
Its capacity to master technological change and to stay ahead in the inno¬
vation race is vital in the face of world economic ccmpetiticn .
                                                       0
What is new about the current situation is that change , at a rate set by
the top performers , has become a permanent phenomenon and that the inter¬
dependence of economies and the intarmeshing of rarkets has increased tee
intensity of ccmpetiticn , with cumulative consequences in terms of boost¬
ing or hindering all sectors of activity .
Although Europe has a number of major and recognized strengths , it is not
without its weaknesses .
Tne objective of the revised' Treaty, in particular through the achievement
of the large internal market and the reinforcement of the economic and so¬
cial cohesion of the Ccmunity, is to remove or reduce seme of these
weaknesses such as the excessive fragmentation of markets , regulars tory
differences or continuing gaps in development between different regions .
 ---pagebreak---                                      -  5  -
Other weaknesses are likely to remain if action on innovation and tech ’
nology transfer is limited to the national or regional level , to the ex¬
clusion of the European dimension . Effective inclusion of the latter can
be achieved through the creation of "structural " intra-Cannunity networks
bringing together specialists in technology transfer and innovation sup¬
port.. In particular , such networks permit the coordination of instruments
and increased exchanges of the experience gained .
2.    PROGRESS ALBSUW AOTTEVED IN TBE CDMCKETY
Confronted with the need to master technological development and to stun-
ulate innovation on a permanent oasis , the European Ccmuunity has taken
action in a number of fields and has already achieved encouraging suc¬
cesses .
Upstream of the SPRINT programme , the preliminary results fran the major
Strategie prograrmes for research and tecnnological development ( ESPRIT,
RACE , 8RITE , etc .) show that the extensive resources committed to streng¬
thening Europe 's capability to respond to external competition in leading-
edge technologies and the modernization of tradicnal sectors , by a stra¬
tegy of transnational cooperation in pre-canpetitive research, are beginn¬
ing to bear fruit .
The welcome given to the CCMEJIT programme for transnational cooperation
between universities and companies , in the vitally important field of
training in new technologies , is indicative of the significance and ur¬
gency of the need it meets . In complement to and in close^liaison with
SPRItO\ CCMETT offers a frame of reference and support structure for im¬
plementing general schemes of transnational training reLatad to innovation
diffusion and technology transfer . SPRIOT , foe its part , puts empnasis cn
schemes of awareness , information , promotion and of transfer of know-hew
targeted at the relevant professional publics .
                                                                             8
 ---pagebreak---                                        O
 Under Article 7 of the ERDF Regulations , programmes such as STAR or
VALOREN have oeen launched to allow regions of lagging development or in¬
dustrial decline in the Ccmnunity to make up some of the handicaps . The
STRIDE programme , at present in preparation , snould improve tne capacity
of these regions to participate in Cannunity action encouraging European
 research . Finally, still within the context of Community regional policy,
the assistance provided in these zones for the creation ofbusi.iess and
innovation centres ( BICs ) in conversion areas enhances the regenerative
capacity of the economic fabric in these depressed regions .
The Action Programme for SME 's , currently being implemented , envisages a
set of integrated specific measures to assist the creation and development
of SME 's and to enable them to benefit from the possibilities offered oy
tne 1992 Single Market . This action has two principal thrusts :
"   improving the environment - fiscal , administrative , legal , financial -
    for firms ;               1                      *     '
    the supply of services - for example , in tne fields of information and
    coopération - to enadle firms to adapt to the internai inarket .
In tne area of transnational cooperation between firms , the Ccnmission is
undertaking a series of ccmplementary actions on the oasis of thi.n
prograirma :
 ---pagebreak--- - a European network , BC-MEJT ( Business Cooperation Network ) , wnicn is
   contributing to the realisation of the various Community policies a.d
   and which is assisting the transfer of technologies and innovation in
   liaison with the SPRINT programme ;
-  the EURDPARTENARIAT prograume - conducted jointly with the Directorate-
   Genaral for regional policy - vhich is aimed at encouraging cooperation
   agreaments withjn the Cannunity in order to stiraulate the develcpment
   of regions which are backward or in industrial decline ;
- promotion of transnational sub-contracting .
These oojectives are also in oonformity 'with a Council resoluton of June
1988, concerning the Improvement of the environment of firms and the
prcmoticn of the development of firms, in particular SME 's . Stressed in
this resolution is the need to reinforce the possibilities of inter-firm
cooperation across frontiers . In this context , particular support is given
to the BC-Net project .
In addition , recent or planned initiatives designed to make financial-
engineering techniques available to transnational technology cooperation
projects are making or will make a partial contribution to wider mobiliza¬
tion of financial instruments and institutions as a means of financing the
investments required to strengthen European competitiveness .
The establishment of a European policy and of a priority plan of action to
create an information-services narket is of particular importance in help ¬
ing to create a favourable environment for the diffusion of innovations .
especially by making advanced information services available to ccmpame :
wishing to monitor technical and market trends .
 ---pagebreak---  Finally, tne SPRINT programme ( Strategic Programme for Innovation and
 Tecnnology Transfer ) - and before that the "Plan for the Transnational
 development of the Supporting Infrastructure for Innovation and Technology
 Transfer", of which SPRINT is an extension - has enabled the testing of a
 number of types of action , separate fran and complementary to RDT prog-
 ramnes , offering a potential contribution , by virtue of their soaleand
 type , to improving Gcrmunity-wide innovation and technology transfer (a
detailed overview may be found in Annex III ) .
Although the SPRINT prograirme is not part of the Cannunity' s RTD Frameworx
 Programme , it represents a natural extension of that programme since the
innovation prodess and technology transfer are the route via which new or
improved products , processes or services , following directly or indirectly
 fran the results of research and technology development activities , find
economic application .
                                •»
                      9
During this initial trial period of over four years , it has proved pos¬
sible to :
- determine the -need for and establish the operational requirements for
     ensuring tne success of a Community policy to support innovation and
    technology transfer ;
 = pilot and évaluâte a variety of approaches and mechanisms suited to such
    a policy
 > mobilise the various publics and partners implicated in the implémen¬
    tation of such a policy;
-   estaolish the need for co-ordination ot tne various Carmunity initia¬
    tivers related to such a policy and for further concertacion bef.veen
    Memoer-States and the Conrmission in this field ;
    identify the need for a programme both more focussed in its objectives
    - 'id more substantial in its resources .
 ---pagebreak---                                         9
 II .  А ССЮЯКГГУ ЙОЗЮ(*е ГОЯ ПОСИ/ИЛСН АЮЗ ттгдпгпгту ТКА4СВЕК
The Caimission' s consultations , with representatives of the Member States
and with the various participants in the innovation process , when imple¬
menting and evaluating the previous programme , have revealed a consensus
on the aims and strategies to be followed by a subsequent Gotmtunity prog¬
ramme for innovation promotion and technology transfer designed to acce¬
lerate the technological development of European companies .
1.     AJ>S
The airns of the proposed programme are :
1 . to strengthen the innovative capacity of Eurcpean producers of goods
     and services , with an eye to the 1992 Single Market ;
            0
2 . to promote rapid penetration of new technologies throughout the
     economic fabric of the Ccnmunity, particularly in those regions and in¬
    dustrial sectors where’ they are not yet fully integrated, thus streng¬
     thening, in close liasion with other policies , instruments and bodies
    promoted by the Ccmnunity, its economic and social cohesion in the
    field of innovation and technology transfer ;
3 . to enhance thè effectiveness and ccherence of existing instruments and
    policies , whether ragionai , national or Canmunity, in thè field of in-
    novaticn .
2.     A PROGRAMME CP PRIORTTY ACTIONS
In order to acnieve the above alas, taking careful account of initiatives
underway, the Caimission proposes :
                                                                             12.
 ---pagebreak---                                       10
    to strengthen the European infrastructure for innovation services by
    the formation or the consolidation of intra-Camiunity networks ,
    particularly building upon existing organisations in the regions ;
    to support pilot projects for intra-Cannuruty innovation transfer ;
    to improve the environment for innovation by making the processes in¬
    vol ved better kncwi and by gréater concertatien between the Member
    States and the Ccmnissicn .
2 .A)    Strenqtheninq the European infrastructure for innovation services
         by establishinq intra-Cbnmmity networks
Heightened world technological competition and the resulting accelerated
renewal of techniques and products inevitably lead to growing special iza-
'tion as industry becomes ever-more disparate in terms of its technologies ,
products or services and economic sectors . One manifestation of this trend
is the increasing need for companies to call on external resources ;
another is the greater specialization and professionalism of the companies
supplying these services . This phenomenon also underlines the need for and
value of the increasing number of professional or regional networks which
link or bring together the various specialists .
Implementation of the present programme has in essence involved shaping
this world of intermediaries into intra-Carmonity networks , whether these
be macro-networks covering the entire Oormunity ( such as , for example , the
European associations EVCA - European Venture Capital Association - and
 ---pagebreak---                                         11  -
 TIT - European    Association for the Transfer of Technologies , Innovation
 •and Industrial   Information ) or micro-networks specialized in meeting the
 more immediate   practical needs of companies themselves ( sucn as networks
 of consultants    or joint-research centres ) and enabling the latter to oe
 directly reached by the programme .
 It is clear from the experience thus gained that the formation of these
 various intra-Ccmnunity networks of intermediaries yields a Ccmnunity
added value in terras of innovation diffusion , technology transfer , the
 establishment of professional skills , the passing on of "best practice "
 for the development of innovations , and the consequent inpact cn compa¬
 nies .
 2.A.1 ) *lhe strenqtheninq af intra-Ccnramity innovation netwcrks
In coordination with and in complement to the networks ( Euro-Info Centres ,
BC-ofet , etc .) which the Cormission is implementing in order to encourage
the cettar integration of SME 's in tne Cooraunity economy, the Ccrrmission
'will continue to work towards the establishment of a European infrastruc¬
ture for innovation services , improving professional skills and enhancing
the multiplier effect for companies , particularly by involving the latter
more directly in the various actions undertaken . These objectives will be
pursued in a manner ensuring coherence with the development of BC-Met as
an instrument of a European assistance infrastructure for transnational
cooperation between SME's .
Action will be of four major types :
•=• consolidation and extension of existing networks , particularly those
     comprising consultants , sectoral research centres , and innovation- fund¬
     ing organisations , in order to achieve wider coverage , both geographi¬
     cally throughout the Ccmnunity and in terms of the various specialist,
     professionals involved ;
                                                                                L
 ---pagebreak---                                      12
    greater specialization of networks , 'oy category of organisation or
    intermediary, to ensure closer involvement of all participants in tne
    innovation and technology transfer process , while respecting their spe¬
   cific characteristics , in particular contract- researcn organisations ,
   consulting engineers , experts in quality-assurance and value- analysis
    specialists , etc .;
   given its importance , emphasized in particular by the European Parlia¬
   ment *, special attention will be paid to strengthening intra-Conmunity
   cooperation between organizations at the research-industry and univer¬
   sity-industry interfaces , such as science parks and technopoles ;
   the achievement of a greater multiplier effect , particularly by taking
   appropriate measures to encourage link3 between existing transnational
   and regional networks and direct involvement by companies in their ope¬
   rations . This may, far example , take the form of helping to set up
   technology opportunity data banks ;
2.А.2 ) ^кзгспрапу±пд теазигез
In order to achieve full implementation of this service infrastructure for
innovaticn , and taking account of the disparate level of development in
the various regions and professions concerned , it is advisable to imple¬
ment specific additional measures in three particular fields : the training
of intermediaries and heads of companies , the development of instruments
and methods to ensure easier exchange of technologies and their acceptance
by companies , and the launching of innovations emerging from the net¬
works . The implementation of certain uf these measures wjll require co¬
operation with regional policy .
*  in the working document produced by Mr . Baudi3 for tne Gonmittee on
   Energy, Research and Technology of the European Parliament
                                                                             I c
 ---pagebreak---                                           13
 2.A.2.a) Promotion of innovation mnatyment
Ccmpam.es opting far innovation and technological change also hâve to
adopt spécifie managanent methods and make use of certain resources and
skills ( financing, project management , industrial creativity and design ,
value analysis , quali ty assurance , human-resource management , technology-
resource managanent , marketing of new products , etc. ) so as to connect
technology and the market .
Considerable practical experience has been accumulated within the Conrou-
nity and considerable efforts are now being made to formalize this know¬
how. Specific training schenes have teen established in the Member
States . New professions have emerged and are taking on a structured form,
ailthough this varies from one Carnnunity region to another . Nevertheless ,
there remains a very significant need to improve the skills of the various
persons involved ( company management and workforce , multi-role orspecial-
ized intermediaries ) .
Thrae forms of Conrmunity action would seem necessary :
.   intensifying transnational exchanges of experience and encouraging the
    formalization of the relevant know-how, particularly through the spon¬
    sorship of studies , seminars for specialists and the formation of net¬
    works of experts in the relevant management disciplines (quality, value
    analysis , marketing, etc .);
.   achieving thè fastest and widest possible dissemination threughout thè
    Ccmnunity of these management teehniques by means of appropriate promo-
    tional acti /ities ( conferences , exhibitions , publications , European
    prizes , " success stories ", etc .);
 ---pagebreak---                                         14
    encouraging the provision , over and above existing national actions
    and so as fully to exploit the variety of experience at national and
    regional level , of specific schemes of information , awareness and know-
    how with transnational aims or characteristics in the fields of innova¬
    tion management and technological change , such training being adapted
    in each case to specific target groups , particularly the management or
   workforce of canparu.es and intermediaries-
2-A- 2.b) SppfH fi c instruments to enhance the effectiveness af networks
If the various network3 ccmprising the service infrastructure for innova¬
tion are to achieve greater impact , it would seem necessary to support the
development of a number of spécifie mechanisns or instruments designed to
aid the formation and operation of networks-
Examples could include senemes designed to :
. make it easier to bring together future participants in the aet.vorx ( for
  example oy neans of visits and professional exchanges , mtroductory
  seminars , etc . ) ;
. make the exchange of technology opportunities less difficult , especially
  through measures aimed at :
  . . increasing the transnational inpact of technology exhibitions and
      fairs ( cooperation between organizers in different regions , visits by
      manufacturers frera other regions , etc .)
  . . the development and appropriate use of effective instruments for com¬
      municating these technology opportunities ( catalogues , exhibitions ,
      exchanges ,   databanks , conferences and seminars ,  video-conferences
- promote "best practice " of technology transfer ;
 ---pagebreak---                                         15
 . support specific measures to ensure that those regions of the Ccrrmumty
   with a less veil developed services infrastructure for innovation can
   participate more fully in the various intra-Ccmmunity networks .
2.A.2.C ) The launching o£ inoovaticpa esnerging frcm netwarks
The real impact of the networks will ultimately be assessed in terms of
their ability to produce tangible , identifiable results in the form of in¬
novations and technologies actually transferred . A. prerequisite , in the
final stage of the process , is the mobilization of available financial
resources .
Thi3 is a field in which much remains to be done to cornplement thè various
schemes for thè finaneing of innovation already launched by thè Catmission
- particularly work under thè orevicus programma to promote a venture
capitai industry in thè Community and thè transhational syndication of
venture-capital operations - if a balance is to de achieved oetween a suf-
ficiently hign level of availaole capitai and thè grewing number of uvv>-
vative projeets emerging from thè networks , especially thosa -tt an early
stage of development .
In particular it would seem essential to encourage , within the framework
of innovation policy, a dialogue between financiers ( banks , credit insti¬
tutions , etc .), technical experts ( particularly those involved in the net¬
works ), and innovators identified by the networks , in order to make it
morelikely that innovations emerging from the networks can rapidly be
exploited throughout the Community ( for example , through intra-Community
" investment fora " and "brokerage meetings "). To this end a data-bank of
projects 'will oe established and made accessible to interested parties .
 ---pagebreak---                                     -  16  -
 2 . B. Supparting pilot projects far intra-Ocnnunity innovation transfer
As an accxxnpaniinent to the above " infrastructural " approach , in order to
demonstrate its warking methods and heighten its impact , it will be neces¬
 sary to complement the above actions by pilot projects in technology
 transfer and innovation pranoticn . These can have a catalytic effect on a
large number of industrial sectors and companies .
 Indeed, a large number of technologies are still underused, in spite of
their proven contribution to productivity or performance , particularly be¬
cause risk-averse companies knew too little about them.
The proposed pilot projects , transnational in nature and emphasizing in¬
dustrial cooperation, will predominantly involve applying existing lead¬
ing-edge technologies to target industrial sectors located throughout the
Ccmnunity, but with priority being given to regions of lagging development
or industrial decline . Although these regions are not usually tha source
of such technologies , companies there are able to exploit then .
As wall as measures to heighten awareness and demonstrate the potential of
the technologies involved, this work will cover training and technical
support for companies and effective implementation of these transfers . It
will exploit specialized networks of technology-transfer personnel and ad¬
vanced technology centres , bringing into play various types of close
partnership between the companies concerned, research centres or univer¬
sities , - local economic operators and financial institutions .
These measures will thus .make a very concrete contribution to the general
aim of modernizing industries or services and to strengthening the eco¬
nomic and social cohesion of the Community, and so will extend the Corrmu’
nity 's commitment to research and technological development .
 ---pagebreak---                                      17
They will raise the profile of Genmunity policy of innovation and enable
companies to be directly involved in Lts definition and implementation .
Their specific aim is to stimulate innovation in the chosen target sec™
tors , to encourage more widespread use of specific applications of certain
technologies and to improve , through the exemplary nature of the schemes ,
 he general innervation climate toy showing that innovation can make an
effective contribution to the eccnonic and social cohesion of the CORU'
uity and to the well-being of its citizens .
iwin approaches can be followed :
. one of these identifies available technologies with a cost-benefit raüo
  appropriate for widespread adoption by conpanies in cegions of lagying
  development or industrial décliné , and i3 designed to pranote the use of
   these technologies in the sectors concemed ;
• tiie other is based on identifying a problem, for which a solution can os
   found , carman to a group of canpanies in a given industrial sector or
  region . It encourages tne identification and possible adaptation of
  available technologies to deal with the problem .
Whatever the approach adopted, the planned projects must be on a large
enough scale to act as a catalyst in the development of the industr ' s l
sectors and/or the utilization of the technologies concerned .
They must also meet , wholly or in part, the following criteria:
- be model projects in as much as Jiey employ a " systemic " oven ll
  approach to the introduction of technological change , not only in purely
   technical terms but also with regard to such aspects as company organi¬
  zation, the training and motivation of personnel and the use of            h
  (management methods as value analysis , industrial design and the as-' -ews-
  ment nf market potential ;
 ---pagebreak---        provide an optimum combination of skills through transnational ( oetweeu
       several Member States of the Community ) and , wnerever possible , also
       transfunctional ( between partners of differing specialist skills )
       operation ;
       involve industrial sectors or technologies chosen to ensure a signifi ¬
       cant 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 ennance the
      use made of these ;
 -    include follow-up and evaluation provisions , based in particular on
      stated and readily verifiable quantitative aims ;
 - provide for assured feedback of the experience gained , preferably
      directly by the companies benefiting from tne schane , in order to
      maximize the multiplier effect .
Schemes of this type might involve such matchings of technology/ target
 industrial sectors , whereby other projects being implemented under other
■Ccnmmity programmes might play as supporting role , such as :
 . CAD/CAM and textiles , wood , fcotwear , ceramics , structural steeiwork ;
 . adaptation of modular CIM techniques for SMEs in mecnanical and elactn ■
   cal engineering ;
    " smart " housing , etc.
Where suitable and necessary , for .matchings of -.ecnr.ologies and sectors
 involving other than information and taieccnmunication technologies , com-
: 'lementarities may be sought ;with present or future projects under Cornu-
nicy programmes sucn as BRITC and BXJRAM . Mecessary co-ordination will
    - Mred in such chscs .
 ---pagebreak---                                       19
Projects designed to yield models applicable in other situations must, ta
 funded on a different oasis frcm R&D projects . Since these are projects
with commercial goals , close bo the market, Community aid will of ne¬
cessity oomprise only a very minor part of funding and will primarily 'oo
intended to provide significant leverage to mobilise funding frcm other
sources in the puolic or - to the greatest possible extent - the private
sector .
The Commission will finalise the precise terms of reference for these pi=
lot projects with the assistance of experts and in consultation with the
appropriate bodies , in particular with the relevant professional inte¬
rests . Particular use will be made of the consultation arrangcrrants al¬
ready set in place by the Commission' s services .
2.C. Inproving the innovation envirarEnsnt through a better uniterstranding
    ■ of the processes involvad and through increased concertation betweas
      the Mentoer States and the Ccnnussicn
Quantitative or qualitative data that are both reliable and comparable be¬
tween the Member States are in very short supply with regard to the inno¬
vation process and technology transfer . There is , however , a growing poli¬
tical will to undertake active promotion of innovation and technological,
development , with local , regional and national decision-makers initiating
a range of measures designed to stimulate innovation and accelerate tho
modernization of companies in their respective areas .
h considerable amount remains to be done in analysing the process , identi¬
fying the obstacles encountered , assessing the results achieved , evaiuat-
ing the instruments anployed, and hence the effectiveness of the various
innovation-promotion policies and , finally, in tne coordination of the
latter .
The Commission therefore proposes the adoption of two ccmplemantary sérié
                                    e                           *
of mesures ;
 ---pagebreak---                                            ?.o
   2-С.1 . йапгЬагз-пд аЕ з-ппоуа^сп 1п Вигсре ( "Еигореап Ьппсгуа^гьоп Мсшгаггпд
             System'*) .
 This action is aesigned to supoLy the Coinnission and the Memoer States
 uith tne requisita information for drawing up policies and structuring
  îohemes to assist innovation and technology transfer and , in oarticular :
- to catalogue , assemble and évaluate avai labié data on the varions stages
      of the innovation and technology-trans fer procès s ;
- to identify existing shortcomings and to determine priorities and common
      survey methodologies for collecting comparable Conmunity-wide data , in
      liaison with the Statistical Office ;
- to détermine which of the availaole new technologies are the most pro¬
      mising, and , by virtue of their cost , most lütely to achieve widespread
      and profitable adoption by campanies ;
- to identify and evaluate methods used , particularly within tie framevort
      of tie present progranrne , to determine "best practice " and to achieve
      its widest possible dissemination among companies , intermediaries and
      nininistrators .
    - C.2 . StrenqthfTvi nq nanfertation and the exchange of expérience betvaeeq
            the Mauner States and the GnmLssicn
 ; 'le reciprocai informaticn flcws , thè comparison of national and regional
     dicies and thè concertation within thè various fieLds of innovation oc-
1 ' cy and technology transfer that thè Memcer States and trie Commission
1 ■ ' tiated during thè previous progranime 'vili all 'ce acti /el ■/ coitine ed - c
 ---pagebreak--- upgraded in order to strengthen Cannunity cohesion , in particular with tit
anas of estaolishing , in view of the 1992 Single Market , a regulatory ,
legal , economic and fiscal environment favourable to innovation and of en¬
couraging intra-Carmunity dialogue oetween the many necessary partners in
the innovation process . As in the past, the Commission will be aided in
this work by a committee comprising representatives of the Member States .
Particular attention will be paid to the specific problems encountered by
those regions in which the supporting infrastructure for innovation and
technology transfer is at least developed , to assist them to play a fu : 1
role in the Community action set out in this programme .
HI . DfflZMEHEKnCN OP THE PHDGKA»« CP PRIORITY ACTIŒE
The extent and nature of Cannunity aid will reflect the characteristic;-
and funding needs of specific projects , bearing in mind the need to avoid
unfair competition .
All appropriate forms of Cannunity action 'will be employed for the imple-
mentation of the programme . In particular , this will include studies , the
provision of services , subsidies and recourse to methods of financial en¬
gineering . Project proposals 'will in general be solicited by means of
calls for proposals published in the Official Journal . Project selection
will be carried out by the Commission in consultation with the committee
made up of representatives of the Member States .
Community financial support for specific projects will be determined
according to the resources available and to the characteristics of each
project ( risk , proximity to the market , etc .). The selected projects
will receive a proportion of Community aid in line with available
resources and the real needs of the project . Apart from exceptional cases ,
such as preparatory schemes or feasibility studies , Cannunity aid 'will not
exceed 50% of expenditure and will , in general in the case of pilot-
projects, be of the order of 25–35% . It will principally be intended to
have a major leverage effect in order to mobilise other sources of fin¬
ance , both public and , preferably, private .
                                                                             L-
 ---pagebreak--- Tha budget for implamenting this programme over a period of five years is
esti.nated at 130 million ECU .
A. significant part of tlie 'oudget will be employed, as a priority ,     in
favour of regions of lagging development or industrial decline .
Daring the third year cf the programme 's operation , the Commission will
draw up and submit to the Council and to the European Parliament a report
assessing the results so far achieved and setting out, in the light of
these , how actions will be continued up until the end of the programme .
117 . СПЮГЛ51СКБ
The Council Í3 invited to demonstrate its agreement with the general aimn
■ nd courses of action proposed by adcpting the adjoining prepesai for ;
 ---pagebreak---                             Proposai for a Decision
                                  oanceming
               the implémentation at Carawnity level of the nalu
                phase of the stratégie programme for ixincoridjar.
                 and technology transfer - SPRINT - 198^-1993
THE COKE OP THE EÜROPEAN OOSttOTTIES,
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 bo the Opinion of the European Parliament ( 2 ),
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee ( 3 ),
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 Connunity, and
vhereas , under Article 130A of the Treaty , it is required to achieve such
harmonious development of the entire Connunity by developing and pursuing
actions leading to the strengthening of the Community 's economic and so¬
cial cohesion ;
Whereas , under the terms of Article 130F of the Treaty, the Connunity has
as an objective the reinforcement of the scientific and technological
bases of European industry and the encouragement of the development of its
international canpetitivity, and whereas the attainment of this objective
involves , in particular , a determined effort to promote innovation ar "
technology transfer ?
( 1 ) QJ K 0 „
C2 ) .. 0 »
 ---pagebreak--- Whereas the strategic Ccnrnunity prcgranme for innovation and technology
transfer - SPRINT 1983-1989 - ( 4 ) has demonstrated the need for , and added
value to be derived from, an ambitious Ccnrnunity policy for innovation 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 Ccnrnunity to adopt appro¬
priate measures to stimulate the innovative capacity of companies and to
promote rapid application of new technologies as soon as tney become
avai lable ;
Whereas many recent technologies have yet to achieve their full potential
diffusion in certain traditional industrial sectors or in certain regions
of lagging development or industrial decline , and 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 sup¬
port of innovation , technology transfer and consultancy in innovation
management , financing and industrial cooperation , and whereas these infra¬
structures 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 trans¬
fer mechanisms optimize these national schemes ;
      OJ V r 35 / of 15.1 ?.. 1983 , p. U ai-ïû OJ N* L153 oC 13.n6.87 , p
 ---pagebreak--- Whereas the Ccnmunity itself, in complement to the actions of the Member
States , has also undertaken initiatives to support innovation and techno¬
logy transfer , as important elements in the implementation of other Carmu-
nity policies .
Whereas it is appropriate to maximise these initiatives in order to re¬
inforce their effectiveness and coherence ;
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 SME 's developed by the Commission within the
framework of its Action Programne(l ) ;
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 con-
certation between the Member States and the Coirnission with regard to in¬
novation policies are essential to enhance their own effectiveness and the
cohesion of the entire Corrnunity ;
 1 ) C0M(86 ) 445 fiu 1
 ---pagebreak--- whereas there is a need to improve access to technologies , capital z :..
markets in order to stimulate innovation ;
Whereas Cormunity action appears necessary in these fields and wnereas cho
treaty makes no provision for corresponding povers of action ,
Ж5 СВСПЕЕХ) А5 Р0ШЖ5 :
Article 1
The main phase of the strategic programme for the promotion of innovation
and technology transfer , hereinafter 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 follcws :
1 . to strengthen the innovative capacity of European producers of goocb
    and services , in view of the 1992 Single Market ;
2 . to promote rapid penetration of new technologies throughout the econo¬
    mic fabric of the Ccmnunity, particularly in those regions and indus¬
    trial sectors where they are as yet not fully integrated, thus streng¬
    thening , in close liaison with other policies , instruments and bodies
    promoted by the Community, its economic and social cohesion in M\-
     : eld of innovation and technology transfer ;
 ---pagebreak--- 3 . to enhance the effectiveness and coherence of existing instruments and
    policies , Whether regional , national or Goranunity, in the field of in ¬
    novation and technology transfer .
Article 3
With a view to achieving the aims set out in Article 2 , the following
actions will be undertaken, talcing careful account of initiatives already
underway, as provided for in Article 5 :
. strengthening of the innovation services infrastructure in Europe by the
   formation or the consolidation of transnational networks , particularly
   building upon existing organizations in the regions ;
. supporting intra-Carmunity pilot projects for information transfer where
   these are of value to the Gcmnunity as a vdiole ?
. improving the innovation environment by a better understanding of the
   processes involved and increased concertaticn between the Member States
   and the Catmission .
These actions cire described in detail in Annex I.
Article 4
die Ccmnunity's contribution to the activities set out in Articls
  ïhimated at 130 million ECU aver the lifespan of the programma »
 ---pagebreak---                                         б
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 expenditure for the various
actions set out in Article 3 .
Article 5
1 . The Comission is responsible for implementing the SPRINT programme .
2 . The Comission is assisted by a carmittee , kncw as the " Innovation
    Carmitbee" , comprising représentatives of the Member States and chaired
    by the Comission' s représentative .
    The Cornnissian' s representative submits to the Comittee a proposal on
    measures to be taken . The deadline by which the Comittee 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 Camissicn . For the purposes of
    voting within the Conmittee , the votes of the national representatives
    will be weighted in accordance with the above article . The chairman has
    no vote .
 ---pagebreak---                                    -  7
    The Commission adopts measures with immediate effect . Nevertheless , if
    these are not in accordance with the Committee' s opinion , these mea¬
    sures are immediately communicated to the Council by the Corrmission . 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 ccmnuni-
    cation .
    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 implémentation of the plan of action cutlined in
    Article 3, the Commission will consult the Ccmmittee in particular with
    regard to:
    - priorities of the above plan of action,
    - évaluation 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 ccmplementary Ccmmunity initiatives , in course
                                                                  course oror
    in préparation .
 ---pagebreak--- Article 6
1 . The financial contribution of the Ccnmunity 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 contribution ,
    as a percentage of total costs , shall be the lower the greater the
    proximity of the action or project to the market .
2 . The Connu. ss ion will , in general , implement the SPRINT programme by way
    of calls for proposais .
3 . In implementing the programme , the Carmission will also make use of the
    instruments and bodies prcmoted within the framework of other Caxmunity
    policies , in particular régional policy, in order to reinforce the
    efficiency of the programme and overall cohérence .
4 . The Ganmission ' 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 Carmittee" , a contribu¬
    tion in excess of this percentage shall not be excluded, in particular
    for the purposes of taking account of the specific difficulties en¬
    countered by regions of lagging development or industrial decline i •
    participating in transnational activities .
 ---pagebreak--- liFticle 7
In accordance with a procedure to be drawn up by the Conmission, and after
an opinion by the " Innovation Ccnmittee", the Member States and the Cdu-
mission 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 Cormission will
draw up a report assessing the results achieved and, after an opinion by
the " Innovation Ccmnittee" , submit it to the Council , the European Ehrlia-
ment and the Economic and Social Ccnmittee . This report may be accompanied
by proposals for modifying the programme , should these appear necessary in
the light of the results .
On completion of the programme , and after an opinion by the " Innovation
Conmittee", the Commission will submit to the Council , the European Par-
liament and the Economie and Social Carmittee a report on the programme' s
implémentation and résulta .
Article 9
The Cormission will exploit the most appropriate means of disseminating
throughout the Gomnunity the results of the action taken in accordance
with the present Decision .
Article 10
This Decision is addressed to the Menber States =
 " ns    Brussoln *                            Por ths Council
                                                                              r
 ---pagebreak---                                                                   ANNEX I
           л илгаспс РЯОСН^*Е гсж шшисм АШ ТВОМСШЗУ таджтеа
                            -   SPRINT - 1989-1993 -
                        AIMS AND DEFINITION OP ACTIONS
AXMS
The aims of the programme cire as follows :
1 . to strengthen the innovative capacity of European producers of gocds.
    and services with a view to the 1992 Single Market ;
2 . to promote rapid penetration of new technologies throughout the econo¬
    mic fabric of the Ccmnunity, particularly in those regions and indus¬
    trial sectors where they are as yet not fully integrated , thus streng¬
    thening , in close liaison with other policies , instruments and bodies
    promoted by the Community, its economic and social cohesion inthe field
    of innovation and technology transfer ;
3 . to enhance thè effectivenes3 and coherence of existing instruments and
    policies , whether regional , national or Comnunity , in thè field of in¬
    novation .
The proposed actions , comprising three priority lines of action, will make
the most of the Ccmnunity dimension and optimize national efforts in the
field of innovation and technology transfer , thus accelerating the techno
 oqical development of European industry .
 ---pagebreak--- LINES OP flCTICN
&• Strengthening the European infrastructure for innovation services by
    the estahl ishment of intra-Orommity nstsorks
In particular , this involves :
3 . The strengthening of intra-Gomnunity networks for innovation :
    la) consolidation and development of existing networks , particulariy
        involving :
        - technology and innovation management consultants ;
        - sectoral collective research centres ;
        - innovation financing institutions .
   1b ) formation of new networks , particulariy between:
        - contract-research organisations ;
        - engineering consultants ;
        - quality and value-analysis specialists . . ■
   le ) strengthening intra-Ccnrnunity conrnunication between :
        - research/ industry and univers ity/ industry interface ;
        - technopoles and science parks .
   :A ) implémentation of linkage mechanisms between the varions innevabiev
        and technology transfer networks .
 ---pagebreak--- Network support measures *
2a ) actions of information ,        awareness , promotion and the transfer of
     krow-how in innovation management and related measures :
     . transnaticaal exchanges of experience , in particular through sup¬
       port for studies , specialist seminars and the formaticn of net-
       works of experts in relevant management disciplines ( guality ,
       value analysis , marketing . . . ) ;
     . diffusion of these management techniques by appropriate promo¬
       tional activities ( conferences , exhibitions , European prizes ,
       " success stories " . . . ) ;
     . 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 mana¬
       gement - these actions to be developed in close liaison with the
       OCMEIT programme .
2b ) Spécifie instruments to enhance the ef fectiveness of netwarks , in¬
     volving particularly :
     . bringing together future network participants ( for example by
       means of visits and professional, exchanges , introductory semi¬
       nars , etc .);
     . exchanges of technology opportunities , especially through meas¬
       ures aimed at :
       . . enhancing the transnational impact of technology exhibitions
           and fairs ( cooperation between organizers in different re¬
           gions , visits by manufacturers from other regions , etc .):
 ---pagebreak---            » o developing means of carrmunicat-ing these technology opportun!
               ties and appropriate use thereof ( catalogues , exhibitions ,
               exchanges , databanks , conférences and seminars , videoconfe--
               rences , etc. );
        . identifying "test practice" with respect to technology transfer ;
        . specific measures to ensure that those regions of the Commmity
          with a less well developed service infrastructure for innovation
          can participate more fully in the various intra-Ccnrnunity net¬
          works .
   2c ) The launching of innovations emerging from networks by improving
        the dialogue between sources of funding technical experts arid inno¬
        vators identified by the networks ( for example , through a databank
        of projects , intra-Canmunity " investment fora" and "brokerage
        meetings ").                                   *
B. Supporting pilot projecrts for intra-Qraiminity innovation transfer,
   partirai larly by means of:
. support for pilot projects of transnational character , emphasizing in»’
  dustrial cooperation and, in particular , involving the application of
  generic technologies to target industrial sectors in regions of lagging
  development or industrial decline of the Conmunity ;
» accompanying measures to heighten awareness of these technologies and to
  train companies adopting them, emphasizing the transnational dimension ;
 ---pagebreak--- . the provision of technical support for companies 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 mobili¬
  zing 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, ccrrmon to a group of companies in a given industrial sector or
  region . It encourages the identification and passible adaptation of
  available technologies to deal with the problem.
 ---pagebreak---  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 technolo¬
 gies concerned . They must also meet , wholly or in part , the following cri=
 teria :
 - be model projects in as rnuch as they employ a " systemic" overall aop -
   roach to the introduction of technological change , not only in purely
   technical terms but also with regard to such aspects as cctnpany organi-
   zaticn, the training and motivation of personnel and the use of such
   management methods as value analysis , industrial design and the assess-
   ment of market potential ;
- provide an optimun canbination of skills through transnational ( between
   several Member States of the Cairnunity) and, wherever possible , trans-
   functional ( between partners of differing specialist skills ) co-opera¬
   tion ;
- involve industrial sectors or technologies chosen to guarantee a signi-
   ficant économie impact ;
- inake an active contribution to reducing régional disparities in the
   availability of - and access to - technologies ;
=> be based as far as possible on existing infrastructures and erihance tho
   use made of these ;
 ---pagebreak---  include follow-up and evaluation provisions , based in particular on
 stated and readily verifiable quantitative aims ;
 ensured feedback of the expérience gained, preferably directly by the
 companies benefiting fran the scheme , in order to maximise the multi-
 piier effect .
  Irqpcoving the innovation environment throuçfo a better understandinq of
  the processes involved and increased ccnoertation between the Mmber
  States and the Ccsrnrissicn
o Msnitoring of innovation in Europe ("European Innovation Monitoring
  System1' ) and évaluation of support measures ;
. Strengthening concertation and the exchange of experience between tne
  Member States and the Commission' in the field of innovation policy and
  technology transfer , in particular with the aim of establishing a regu¬
  latory, legal , econanic and fiscal environment favourable to innovation
   nd technology transfer .
 ---pagebreak---                                                                     АШЕХ II
                  INDICATIVE IOTEPNAL BKEAKDOWN CP APPRDPKLATIŒJS
                                                             Millions of ECU
A) Européen innovation services i nfgastructnre
   1 . Strengthening networks :
       a) networks of innovation and technology transfer        15
           consultants
       b ) network3 of sectocal- collective research            15
           centres
       c ) new networks ( contract-research organisations/      15
           research or university-industry interfaces/
           engineering consultants/ technopoles/
           financing bodies,' etc .)
       d ) linkage of innovation and technology
           transfer networks
   2 . Acccmpanying measures :
       a) transnational training in innovation
           management, networks of experts (design,
           quality, value analysis , marketing of new
           products , etc .), and associated promotional
           activities ( conferences , European prizes ,
           publications , exhibitions )
       b ) instruments for the support of networks
            ( technology fairs , instruments for oppor¬
           tunity exchanges , etc .)
 ---pagebreak---        (?) launching innovations emerging from the
           networks (" investment fora", " brokerage
           meetings " )
Б) РИоЬ. рготесЬз бзг :шЕга-С1атим±у хдпоуайддп ГхапзТег
C) Monitcrinq innovation and cmoertation betaaæn the Mentoer
   States and the Ctarnd-ssion
   1 . "European Innovation Monitoring System"               5
   2 . Concertation and exchanges of expérience              5
                                                         TOTAL
 ---pagebreak---                                    ANNEX III
                    RESULTS OF THE FIRST SPRINT PROGRAMME
SPRINT ( Strategic Programme for Innovation and Technology Transfer ) - and
its predecessor , the " Plan for the Transnational Development of the
Supporting Infrastructure for Innovation and Technology Transfer " -
served to pilot various approaches and mechanisms , separate from and
complementary to the Conmunity 's RTD efforts , and of varying type and
scale , promising to advance innovation and technology transfer across the
Corrmunity . The following is a short list of the principal approaches and
mechanisms thus tested .
1 . Transnational networks of specialised intermediaries , set up to
    encourage technoloqy co-operation between firms , in particular
    SME * s , by helping select , motivate and guide companies seeking
    partners elsewhere in Europe .
               V
    0
    Over the four years during which SPRINT and the Transnational Plan
    have been operational , about two hundred and fifty intermediaries -
    Chambers of Commerce , management consultants , university technology
    transfer departments , regional development agencies , technology
    brokers .... - have participated in SPRINT- supported micro-networks . A
    network typically involves between three and five partners from as
    many different regions of the Community . Each network is required to
    achieve a set target number of verifiable technology agreements
    between firms during each period ( typically twelve months ) of SPRINT
    support .
 ---pagebreak---                                    2
The set of networks has been systematically developed over time : new
networks have been created and new partners grafted on to existing
networks ? at the same time , support has been withdrawn from or not
renewed for those intermediaries and networks which have failed to
achieve adequate performance . The net result today is a hard core of
around 150 organisations working in some 50 networks currently in
receipt of SPRINT support .
At the last count ( in January* 1988 ) , the SPRINT networks had achieved
in less than three years of operation 120 verifiable transnational
technology deals between firms . Comparison with a similar survey
undertaken nine months previously shows a steeply rising trend ,
because many of the networks are of still recent creation . SPRINT
experience i3 that an effective network begins to generate 4-5
transnational technology deals per year once it is well run in ,
roughly towards the end of its second year .
SPRINT support is thus phased out in or from the third year , once a
network has established itself ;    most networks continue to     function
after this time and to generate further technology agreements between
firms .  In other words ,  SPRINT  assistance   takes  the  form of   seed
finance to help intermediaries establish permanent transnational
co-operation in support of firms in different Conmunity countries
working together in innovation and technology transfer .
This continuing co-operation between intermediaries has been rein¬
forced by a variety of measures aimed at animating the networks ,
encouraging staff exchanges and regional meetings of intermediaries ,
and providing training for those new to the innovation support profes¬
sion , especially from the Coimunity 's industrialising regions .
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 3 -
2 . Transnational networks of industrial research associations / centres
    techniques industriels . The aim of thi3 pilot action was to jointly
    pool and exploit the technical expertise of such centres , and their
    privileged relations with thé firms in their respective sectors , in
    order    to  encourage   the   rapid   dissémination  of   avai labié  new
    technologies to those firms . Particular but not exclusive emphasis has
    been given to traditional sectors of European industry .
    Roughly 20 projects/networks have received SPRINT support , and over a
    fifth of the Community 's industrial research associations have thus
    been brought into the programme . They have , for example , helped
    diffuse CAD-CAM technologies in the shoe industry, improve training
    and quality control in welding techniques , and raise productivity in
    the wood-processing industries by promoting the use of kiln-drying
    technology .
    A related set of projects have taken a systematic approach to the
    innovation requirements in the traditional sectors of shoe manu¬
    facture , textiles and white ceramics . Specially constituted European
    working groups of experts , in close liason with industry, have identi¬
    fied key specific technology deficits in each sector and then piloted
    various actions ( eg . European diffusion seminars for firms , technology
    guides    in printed   and  audio-visual   form,  registers  of   European
    experts ) to explore common ways of jointly tackling those deficits .
 ---pagebreak--- 3 . Conférences and seminar3 on a European scale , aimed at disseminatinq
    scientific and technical information and at providing traininq in
    innovation management and technology transfer techniques . Over 70 such
    events in ail parts of the Comraunity hâve received partial SPRINT
    support .
4 . ICONE , the Comparative Index of European Norms , was launched under the
    SPRINT programme to test the effectiveness of a data-base of equiva¬
    lences between existing national and international technical norms and
    standards as a means     of  facilitating access to other Community
    markets . The pilot phase of ICONE succeeded in encompassing 35% of
    existing national norms and standards , namely those that have a
    European or international equivalent . A survey of more than 1,000
    firms in the Member States revealed considerable industrial support
    for the scheme , which has now entered a definition phase prior to its
    expansion to cover the totality of relevant industrial norms and
    standards in the Community .
 ---pagebreak--- 5 . Concertation between thè Members States in selected areas of innova-
    tion and technology transfer policy has allowed a valuable exchange of
    experience between them and encouraged a convergence of thinking . One
    result has been to launch with thè Member-States a SPRINT pilot scheme
    to promote thè importance of design as a factor in thè industriai
    innovation process . Another has been to initiate wide-ranging
    discussions on issues of intellectual and industriai property rights ,
    including a highly valued set of empirical studies on thè . cost3 of
    intellectual property protection and litigation in thè Member-States .
    SPRINT has similary launched much needed European study groups and
    surveys on contract-research Services , training supply and demarid in
    innovation management and technology transfer , and thè role of
    local/regional  governments  and   Science   parks/ technopoles in  thè
    innovation process .
The SPRINT programme , in whole or in part , at mid-term and more recently,
has been evaluated by several sets of independent experts . In addition ,
the Commission has undertaken its own periodic internal evaluations of
all or part of the programme . These various assessments have consistently
confirmed SPRINT 's underlying objectives and operational priorities . They
have also allowed the programme 's management to re-orientate activities
in the light of experience . Thus some actions could be abandoned in good
time , because it became clear that their costs outweighed their . bene
fits . Similarly, others cold be discontinued during the course of the
programme ,   because they had       fully achieved their objectives .
 ---pagebreak--- For example , monitoring showed that the NETTO project linking technology
transfer organisations via telefax had fulfilled its goals within less
than two years , so that SPRINT support could be terminated relatively
quickly and the programme' s sparse resources put to other use . Similarly,
évaluation showed that support granted to EVCA - the European Venture
Capital Association - had effectively helped structure and develop the
Venture capital profession in Europe and that , as the Association would
become self-supporting in 1987 , again an early SPRINT exit could be
implemented .
A contnon thread running through the conclusions of all of the SPRINT
evaluation exercises is the insistence that the programme ' s resources
were inadequate to meet the needs of a necessary and significant
Comnunity initiative to support innovation and technology transfer on a
European level . It is evident that the overall impact of SPRINT has been
severely limited by lack of funding; certain of its pilot actions had
difficulty achieving the critical mass necessary for a proper assessment
of their effectiveness , and several well-founded projects could not be
selected for lack of resources .
 ---pagebreak--- Nonetheless , during this initial trial period of over four years , it has
proved possible to :
  • - détermine the need for and establish the operational requirements
      for ensuring the success of a Comnunity policy to support innovation
      and technology transfer ;
    - pilot and evaluate a variety of approaches and mechanisms suited to
      such a policy ;
    - mobilise the various publics and partners implicated in the implé¬
      mentation of such a policy ;
    - establish the need for co-ordination of the various Community
      initiatives related to such a policy and for further concertation
      between the Member-States and the Commission in this field ;
    - identify the need for a programme both more focussed in its objec¬
      tives and rrore substantial in its resources .
                                                                           50
 ---pagebreak--- Camuiication frau the Ccmnissioa aoornipFmiad by a draft Council Decisicn
canceming the irqplenentatian at Carmjiity level af the nain phase of the
stratégie programme for innovation and technology transfer - SPRINT
1989-1993
                   Impact en erapLoyrcent and oompetitiveness
I. Main reasens for the introducticsi of the measures :
In the face of the accelerating pace of technological change , and the
heightened need to innovate in the context of interdependence and economic
competition, European solutions must be found to assist and guide the
technological development of companies .
Coordination of existing instruments , harmonization of regulations , ex¬
pansion of intra-Carmunity exchanges of experience and the strengthening
of the innovation services infrastructure in Europe through the formation
of transnational networks are significant steps towards achieving the
Single Market and thus strengthening the economic and social cohesion of
the Carmunity.
- What are the political objectives : social aspects , environment , Single
  Market , etc .?
  The aims of the propos ed programme aire as follows :
  1 . to strengthen thè innovative capacity of European producers of geo 1
      ani Services , in view of thè 1992 Single Market ;
 ---pagebreak---    2 . to promote rapid penetration of new technologies throughout the eot
       ncmic . fabric of the Community, particularly in those regions and ir
       dustrial sectors where they are as yet not fully integrated, thus
       strengthening, in close liaison with other policies , instruments arsf
       bodies promoted by the Conmunity, its economic and social cohesic
       in the field of innovation and technology transfer ;
  3 . to enhance the effectiveness and cohérence of existing instruiront:
       and policies , whether régional , national or Cannunity, in the fiel
       of innovation .
- ’What could happen if the measures were not introduced?
  The Canmunity would be less able to improve the relative campetitivenesj
  of its industry.
U. Characteristics of the companies concerned
- Do the proposais hâve any implications for ccnpanies?
  The measures are of potential benefit to all companies , irrespective o>
  their size or location .
- Do the proposais hâve any implications for compétition?
  Mo - their spécifie aim is enhancement of the Cannunity* s extsmal cotv
  patitiveness .
 ---pagebreak---                                        3 *
- V-'ill the effects of the measures be felt more in some régions than
   other3?
   The measures are particularly designed to allow regions where the inno¬
   vation services infrastructures is less well developed to take a greater
   part in the planned transnational activities and thus to benefit more
   fully fron Ccrrmanity policy in the field of innovation and technology
   transfer .
III . What obligations do the measures inpone direcrtly on ompanies?
The measures involve no additional obligations for companies • They are de¬
signed to provide indirect stimulation of innovation and technological de¬
velopment . The measures will have no regulatory effects and will not in¬
crease administrative costs .
IV. Vfriat indirect «cbligaticns may be imaosed ty local , régional or na-
     ttonal autharities?
Nbne .
V. Measures designed to benefit SMSs in particular
Given that these measures are intended to assist the technological de¬
velopment of companies, this also applies to SME3 . They should prove a
particularly effective way of stimulating innovation within this category
"“f company.
 ---pagebreak--- VI . Likely effects on:
- the competitiveness of carpanies : the progranme - indeed, this is one of
  its aims - can significantly enhance the carpetitiveness of carpanies .
- job creation: the improvements which can be expected in the innovation
  and technological development of companies will lead to the creation of
  new fields of activity or the strengthening of existing ones and hence
  to the creation of jobs .
VII . Bave the relevant consultative bodies been oonsulted?
Such consultation has taken place throughout the implementation of the
preceding programme . Hie proposed measures include the establishment of *\
management committee for the relevant fields .
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                       t\s
                                      FICHE FINANCIÈRE
  NsTITULÉ DE LA LIGNE BUDGÉTAIRE
 'Actions communautaires dans le domaine de l' innovation et du transfert des
  echnologies " , article B 752 .
 L‘ià~>Jts JURIDIQUE
     Article 235 du Traité CEE .
 = Décision 83 / 624/CES du Conseil du 25.11.1983 relative à un plan de dévelop¬
     pement transnational de l' infrastructure d' assistance à l' innovation et au
     transfert des technologies ( J.O. L 353 du 15-12 . 1983 ).
     Décision 87/ 307/ CEE du Conseil du 09.06.1987 modifiant la décision
     83 / 624/CEE relative à un plan de développement transnational de 1' infra-,
        tructure    d' assistance   à l' innovation  et au transfert de  technologies
     ( 1983-1985 ) ( J.O. L 153 du 13.06.1987 ).
- Projet de décision du Conseil concernant la phase principale du programme
     stratégique pour l' innovation et le transfert de technologies - SPRINT -
      [ 989-1993
d INSCRIPTION
  o programme SPRINT a comme objectifs principaux :
     de renforcer la capacité innovatrice des producteurs européens de biens et
     cle services dans la perspective du grand marché de 1992 ;
     de promouvoir la pénétration rapide des nouvelles technologies dans l' en¬
     semble du tissu économique de la Communauté , notamment dans les régions et
     les secteurs d' activité où leur intégration n' est pas encore complète , et
     de renforcer ainsi , en étroite coopération avec d' autres politiques ,
     instruments et organismes promus par elle , la cohésion économique et
        ociale   de     la Communauté  en  matière  d' innovation et de transfert  de
          chnolocries ?
 ---pagebreak---                                              - 2 -
     = d'augroenter I'efficacite et la coherence des instruments et des politiques
       existantes ,    regionales , nat Locales et communautaires dans te domaine de
       1 ' innovation .
    Pour atteindre ces objectifs , trois lignes d' actions prioritaires sont propo¬
     sées qui permettront de profiter au mieux de la dimension communautaire et
    d' optimiser les efforts nationaux en matière d' innovation et de transfert de
     technologies pour permettre l' accélération du développement technologique des
    entreprises européennes . Ces lignes d' actions prioritaires sont :
    - le renforcement de l' infrastructure européenne de services pour l' innova¬
       tion par la constitution ou la consolidation de réseaux intracommunau¬
       taires , en s' appuyant notamment sur les organismes existants dans les ré¬
       gions ;
    - le soutien à des projets pilotes d' intérêt communautaire de transferts
       d ' innovation intracomraunautai re ;
    - l' amélioration de l' environnement de l' innovation par une meilleure con¬
       naissance de ses processus et une concertation accrue entre les Etats
       membres et la Commission .
4 . JUSTIFICATION
    La phase pilote du programme SPRINT , qui a commencé depuis début 1984 et - qui
    vient à échéance fin décembre 1988 , a permis de :
    - mesurer le besoin et les conditions de succès d' une politique communautaire
       de promotion de l' innovation et du transfert de technologies ;
    ■" expérimenter et évaluer certains des instruments d' une telle politique ;
                                                                                 /
 ---pagebreak---                                             3
    - mobiliser les différents partenaires potentiels pour sa mise en oeuvre ;
    - apprécier la nécessité d' une coordination des différentes initiatives
       communautaires et d' une concertation approfondie entre les Etats membres et
       la Commission ;
    - mettre en évidence la nécessité de définir un programme plus concentré dans
       ses objectifs et plus ambitieux dans ses moyens .
5.    PROPOSITION DE CLASSIFICATION DE3 DÉPENSES      ( OBLIGATOIRES OO MON OHLIGA
    TOIRBS )
    - Dépenses non obligatoires .
6 * NATCTRE DES DÉPENSES
    Toutes les formes appropriées d' action communautaire doivent être mises en
    oeuvre , en particulier ( mai3 non exclusivement ) les subventions , les con¬
    trats d' études et de prestations de service . Les revenus éventuels donneront
    lieu à réemploi sur le même article budgétaire .
7 . MÉTHODE DS CALCUL
    Répartition interne des crédits (à titre indicatif ) :
A ) Infrastructure européenne de services pour l' innovation          Millions d' Ecus
    1 . Renforcement des réseaux ;                                            50
        dont
        a ) réseaux de consultants .                                   i5
        b ) réseaux de centres sectoriels de recherche collective ...
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 4 -
    c ) nouveaux réseaux ( sociétés de recherche sous contrat/
        interfaces recherche ou université- industrie/ ingénieric/
        technopoles/organismes de financement ...)     . 15
    d ) mise en relation des réseaux pour l' innovation et le          5
        transfert de technologies
2 . Mesures d' accompagnement :                                          20
    dont
    a ) formations transnationales au management de l' innovation ,
        réseaux d' experts ( design , qualité , analyse de la valeur ,
        marketing de produits nouveaux ...), et actions de pro¬
        motion associées ( conférences , prix européens , publica­
        tions , expositions ) . 12
    b ) instruments d' appui aux réseaux ( foires technologiques ,
        outil3 d' échanges d' opportunités ) .                         5
    c ) lancement d' innovations résultant de réseaux
        (" Investment Fora ", "brokerage meetings ")  . .              3
Projets pilotes de transfert d' innovations intracommunautaire
 ---pagebreak---                                                  5
C. Connaissance de l' innovation , concertation entre les Ëtat3
    membres et la Commission                                                      1C
    dont
     1 . " European Innovation Monitoring System " .                        5
    2 - concertation et échanges d' expériences . .                         5
                                                                      TOTAL     130
8 . IMPLICATIONS POUR LES CRÉDITS OPÉRATIONNELS
             1989 ( 1 )     1990         1991      1992      1993      1994    TOTAL
CE             15             30          30        30        25         -
                                                                                130
CP               9            24          30        30        27        10      130
9 . BESOINS EN PERSONNEL
    L' augmentation       des    tâches   prévue  nécessitera   au minimum  le personne
    supplémentaire suivant :
    3     A 8/ 4    ;   1    B     ;   3     C
  Ъ     оиз гЗаегуе бе (ЗазропИзхШ-.ез Ьи<1дбьа1».ез е ., сой -       e  e