Activities Archive

The new Europe 2020 strategy is now integrating the development of ERA and innovation policy with the aim to create an “innovation union”.

• Encouraging research and training across Europe. 
  Facilitating links between the EU food research community and colleagues in countries outside Europe (Third Countries).In recent Framework Programmes there has been a trend topromote the interaction of EU researchers with those in countries outside Europe (Third Countries).In FP7 Third Country Involvement is specified throughout the Cooperation pillare themes by the inclusion of Specific International Cooperation Action (SICA), topics which require the involvement of partners from the country/region identified.In the “Ideas Pillar”, individual researchers from Third Countries may be funded to work at a laboratory or centre within the EU.

   

  In the “People Pillar”, Marie Curie International Incoming (IIF) and Outgoing Fellowships (IOF), support post-docs or equivalent who wish to undertake a period of research in the EU or research carried out by an EU scientist in Third Country.

  In addition,Third Country organisations are able to participate in industry-academic training networks for PhD students (Initial Training Networks ITNs) and post-docs (Industry-Academia Research Partnerships & Pathways IAPP).

  Finally, in FP7 the People Pillar included in the new International Research Staff Exchange Scheme, IRSES.

  Recognising that there are complementary research programmes being funded by the European Union and Third Countries, Canada and the EU pioneered the”twinning” concept whereby the interaction of complementary projects can be simulated through relatively small funding. The success of initial “twinning” activities indicate that this concept is likely to be extended.

• Knowledge Transfer and Exchange:
  Over the last decade the EU’s share of the global food and drink market declined from 25% to 18.9%, reflecting increased competitiveness and the importance oif the new economies of Chine, India and Brazi. EU food & drink industries are unable to compete with these countries on the costs of raw material and labour, so must compete by adding value.This challenge is all the greater since the overwhelming majority of European food & drink industries are SMEs, often craft-based and without the time, knowledge or experience to identify and exploit opportunities.Consquently, universitites and research centres must be more effective in transferring the results of their research to industries to produce products, tools & services that will benefit society, stimulate national & regional economies and creat employment. Many of the partner in FOODForceE have established industry networks to facilitate this transfer and exchange of knowledge e.g. IFR’s Food & Health Network.

• Interacting with members of the Research Directorate-General in Brussels:
  The Directorate General’s mission is evolving as work on the European Research Area (ERA) continues. It can be summarised as follows:

   

  • develop the EU’s policy in the field of research and technological development and thereby contribute to the international competitiveness of European industry
  • coordinate European research activities with those carried out at the level of the Member States
  • to support the Union’s policies in other fields such as environment, health, energy, regional development etc;
  • to promote a better understanding of the role of science in modern societies and stimulate a public debate about research-related issues at European level.
  • exchanging best practice and experience.