National ministries and innovation agencies responsible for the design and implementation of services innovation support in five of the top performing EU member states have launched the first ever European platform for testing transnational policies, strategies and pilot schemes. Called EPISIS (“European policies and instruments to support innovation in services”), the project intends to drive further the European services innovation agenda.
Led by Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, EPISIS brings together the German Project Office PT-DLR, the Swedish innovation agency VINNOVA, the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation DASTI and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills of the United Kingdom. The five partners bring in sound experience in promoting service innovation through dedicated national strategies and programmes, managing a combined total funding amount of more than 450 million Euro.
At policy level the main objective is to advance a broad-based European approach by identifying emerging policy challenges and designing new policy concepts. At a strategic level EPISIS will enhance the understanding of services innovation and promote the change of mind-set for recognising service businesses and services innovation as a powerful economic force for the EU. At an operational level the project will pilot new, more efficient support schemes by joining partners own national funds.
Prior to its official launch in September 2009, EPISIS established the European Services Innovation Think Tank, which will identify emerging needs and design policy recommendations. It consists of the five partners and 10 experts, representing Austrian, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Irish, Norwegian, Slovenian, Spanish, and Swedish ministries and innovation agencies. Dedicated Task Forces will support the work of the Think Tank related to: the typology of services, indicators for measuring impact, integration of services and technologies, internationalisation of high-growth service companies, as well as new skills and competences for managing innovation in services.
For more information please visit the EPISIS webpages: http://www.proinno-europe.eu/episis
