Joint technology initiatives and public-private partnerships in the implementation of Horizon 2020

By Enrico Gibellieri

Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) are public-private partnerships in key areas of European R&I established under Decision 1982/2006/EU. As far back as the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) onwards, traditional instruments had proved unable to increase and improve the European economy's competitiveness. Industrial partnerships are geared to R&I and have clearly identified industrial market objectives, better financial and human resource concentration and sufficient leveraging to provide a decisive push to accelerate the transformation of scientific and technological breakthroughs into market innovations.

The current H2020 FP has introduced substantial innovations with respect to structure, leaving more space for influence and synergies with industry and Member States through various forms of PPP to support sectors that:

• create high-quality jobs;
• respond better to the need for sustainable growth and competitiveness;
• have a strong, innovative and rapid impact on the development of European businesses, especially small enterprises and start-ups;
• foster new occupational profiles in a rapidly changing world;
• can develop local and regional initiatives.

The CCMI, within the EESC, produced another opinion on the European Technology Platforms (ETPs) supporting the involvement of industry, both employers and trade unions, in the design, management and implementation of the EU framework programme for research, innovation and development.