European Trend Chart on Innovation 2002 European Innovation Scoreboard

Innovation is a priority of all Member States and of the European Commission. Throughout Europe, hundreds of policy measures and support schemes aimed at innovation have been implemented or are under preparation. The diversity of these measures and schemes reflects the diversity of the framework conditions, cultural preferences and political priorities in the Member States. The 'First Action Plan for Innovation in Europe', launched by the European Commission in 1996, provided for the first time a common analytical and political framework for innovation policy in Europe. Building upon the Action Plan, the Trend Chart on Innovation in Europe is a practical tool for innovation policy makers and scheme managers in Europe. Run by the European Commission (Innovation Directorate of DG Enterprise), it pursues the collection, regular updating and analysis of information on innovation policies at national and Community level, with a focus on innovation finance; setting up and developing innovative businesses; the protection of intellectual property rights; and the transfer of technology between research and industry. The Trend Chart serves the " open policy coordination approach " laid down by the Lisbon Council in March 2000. It delivers summarised and concise information and statistics on innovation policies, performances and trends in the European Union. It is also a European forum for benchmarking and the exchange of good practices in the area of innovation policy. Slovenia. The Trend Chart website (www.cordis.lu/trendchart) provides access to the following services and publications: • the European Innovation Scoreboard and other statistical reports; • regular country reports for all countries covered; • a database of policy measures across Europe; • a " who is who? " of agencies and government departments involved in innovation; • regular trend reports covering each of the four main themes; • benchmarking reports from the Trend Chart workshops; • a news service and thematic papers; • the annual reports of the Trend Chart. The present report was prepared by Anthony Arundel of MERIT (www.merit.unimaas.nl). The information contained in this report has not been validated in detail by either the Member States or the European Commission. This document originates from the European Commission's " European Trend Chart on Innovation " (Enterprise Directorate-General). Copyright of the document belongs to the European Commission. Neither the European Commission, nor any person acting on its behalf, may be held responsible for the use to which information contained in this document may be put, or for any …