Cluster session Participants:
Rob Bilderbeek | Graciela Ferrer | Ingrid Hermannsdörfer | Joao Mena de Matos | Eva Pérez | Beate Punge | Ingo Schneider | Muki Spighel
Facilitator: Rob Bilderbeek
Reporter: Joao Mena de Matos
Getting the most Out of innovations (GO) Cluster
documents: GO - Report (Powerpoint presentation)

Development of the session

The session started with the introduction of the participants, since most of them joined the GO cluster for first time. Self introductions focused on the main points of the IPs, which the participants represented. Furthermore, they expressed the problems that their IPs are facing regarding the sustainability of results once the projects have finished.

Afterwards, the GO cluster was briefly explained as well as the activities carried out during the last cluster meetings.

As target groups of the GO cluster were identified (other) IPs, industry, users and policy makers. As main goals were mentioned:

- To share common problems, to find solutions and to exchange best practices.
- To develop acceptance by external agents: market and political bodies .

Resuming, the key focuses of the GO cluster were identified as the following IP challenges:

- Marketability of project results once the project is finished.
- Dissemination: how to make sure that project results are distributed properly?
- Participation: how to involve internal and external stakeholders?

The following activities will be (and are) carried out within the cluster.

1. GO Tool

In order to facilitate the dissemination of innovations and IP results an Innovation database is being developed, on the basis of Innovation Projects. The research community is not too open towards the business community. Therefore, an adequately functioning interface between the research and business community is really considered as a factor that will increase chances on successful interaction between these communities. And interaction is needed to improve co-ordination of R&D in the business and research community. Tools may contribute to making the results of IPs to stay alive in the market after the funding ends.

2. European Innovation Award

This action aims at promoting the best practices carried out within innovation projects. It is also meant as a way to disseminate innovative results.
The GO cluster group discussed some topics raised by the participating IPs, such as:

- How to keep IP results alive, after the IP funding stops? How to go on after the project?
- How to create awareness of the importance of innovative and useful IP results?
- How to make target groups interested in IP products?

Both individual and common approaches were made to the questions made and problems presented.

The participants supported the idea of going further on elaborating the GO Tool and organisation of the European Innovation Award. Some more cluster meetings may be needed for this purpose. The GO cluster session also discussed about the communication procedures within the cluster.


Results / summary of the session:

Recognition of the goals of the GO cluster by the participants.

Regarding the GO Tool:

  •  Support to the idea of developing the tool already devised: this could help to create awareness of the innovations carried out in the IPs.
  •  The need of structuring the information about the projects in a way that it is readable and attractive for visitors.
  •  The tool should focus on items that may trigger stakeholders' interest. A revision on the level of information displayed should be made.
  •  It is necessary to disseminate the GO Tool to the rest of the IPs and the Commission. Just in order to get information about the projects.
  •  The database is a tool for dissemination but not the only one. It is important to find the right dissemination media.

Regarding the proposed European Innovation Award:

  •  Aims is to launch the first edition of the European Innovation Award by the end of 2003. We could take advantage of these kind of events (Innovation conferences).
  •  Media coverage would be needed for the launching of the EIA and, consequently of the GO Tool.
  •  70 Innovation Projects would be involved. This is a critical mass for both the GO Tool and for the EIA.

Proposed action plan:

  •  Dec'02 - Mar'03: Development of the keywords and the structure of the GO Tool
  •  April'03 - June'03: Gathering of information about the Innovation Projects. Tool up + running.
  •  Jul'03 - Sept'03 - European Innovation Award scheme implementation
  •  Oct'03: Selection nominees, jury session(s)
  •  Nov: launch of 1st European Innovation Award.