Innovation Union

Youth on the move Move to achieve – degree, new job, training, your own business. Every year the European Union supports more than 400,000 young people to work , train and study abroad. This website lists a complete range of EU tools to help your dreams become reality. More about Youth on the Move The European Union offers grants for students, teaching professionals and staff to study or work abroad. Sustainable growth - for a resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy How will the EU boost sustainable growth? Through 2 flagship initiatives: 1. SME Performance Review - Small and medium sized enterprises (SME) - Enterprise and Industry The SME Performance Review is one of the main tools the European Commission uses to monitor and assess countries' progress in implementing the Small Business Act (SBA) on a yearly basis. With an emphasis on the measures from the SBA Action Plan, the review brings comprehensive information on the performance of SMEs in EU Member States and other 9 partner countries. It consists of two parts – Annual Report on European SMEs and SBA country fact sheets. Brussels, 26 November 2013 - The European Commission published today the 2012/2013 Annual Report on European SMEs. The Report on European SMEs is prepared on a yearly basis.

Definition of Social Innovation - Industrial innovation - Enterprise and Industry The Second European Social Innovation Competition is closed since 11 December 2013. Take a look at the best ideas selected. The Competition, launched in memory of Diogo Vasconcelos, invites Europeans to come up with new solutions to reduce unemployment and minimize its corrosive effects on the economy and our society both now and in the future. Social innovation is not only desirable, it is necessary. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t found the right investor for your ideas yet. We can help you bring your project to life as part of our Social Innovation Academy.

Inclusive growth – a high-employment economy delivering economic, social and territorial cohesion How will the EU boost inclusive growth? Through 2 flagship initiatives: 1. Tourism Tourism is a major economic activity in the European Union with wide-ranging impact on economic growth, employment, and social development. It can be a powerful tool in fighting economic decline and unemployment. Nevertheless the tourism sector faces a series of challenges. The European Commission works to address these with policies and actions.

SME Performance Review - Small and medium sized enterprises (SME) - Enterprise and Industry The SME Performance Review is one of the main tools the European Commission uses to monitor and assess countries' progress in implementing the Small Business Act (SBA) on a yearly basis. With an emphasis on the measures from the SBA Action Plan, the review brings comprehensive information on the performance of SMEs in EU Member States and other 9 partner countries. It consists of two parts – Annual Report on European SMEs and SBA country fact sheets. Brussels, 26 November 2013 - The European Commission published today the 2012/2013 Annual Report on European SMEs. The Report on European SMEs is prepared on a yearly basis. It provides an overview of the size, structure and importance of SMEs to the European economy and their contribution to growth and jobs, as emphasised in the Small Business Act and Europe 2020 strategy.

Reinventing Europe Through Innovation October 2009 The President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso has released a report and a call to action to transform the EU from a knowledge society into an innovation society. The President said very convincingly, "I am passionate about innovation. It is our only means of tackling major societal challenges we face...

Ressource efficient Europe The flagship initiative for a resource-efficient Europe under the Europe 2020 strategy supports the shift towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon economy to achieve sustainable growth. Natural resources underpin our economy and our quality of life. Continuing our current patterns of resource use is not an option. Europe 2020 in Italy The Country-specific Recommendations are documents prepared by the European Commission for each country, analysing its economic situation and providing recommendations on measures it should adopt over the coming 18 months. They are tailored to the particular issues the Member State is facing and cover a broad range of topics: the state of public finances, reforms of pension systems, measures to create jobs and to fight unemployment, education and innovation challenges, etc. The final adoption of Country-specific Recommendations prepared by the Commission is done at the highest level by national leaders in the European Council. Country overview

Industrial competitiveness - Enterprise and Industry Industry must be placed centre stage if Europe is to remain a global economic leader. This is the core message of the Communication on "An integrated industrial policy for the globalisation era" adopted by the European Commission on 28th October 2010 on the initiative of Vice-President Antonio Tajani. The Communication, a flagship initiative of the Europe 2020 strategy , sets out a strategy that aims to boost growth and jobs by maintaining and supporting a strong, diversified and competitive industrial base in Europe offering well-paid jobs while becoming more resource efficient. An integrated industrial policy “Industry is at the heart of Europe and indispensable for finding solutions to the challenges of our society, today and in the future.

Enterprise Europe Network and International Business Support - Small and medium sized enterprises (SME) - Enterprise and Industry Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) The Enterprise Europe Network provides a wide range of services to SMEs and entrepreneurs, among others, helping them to access market information, overcome legal obstacles and identify potential business partners across Europe, including innovation support and transnational technology transfer services. The Enterprise Europe Network comprises about 600 partners in 49 countries employing around 3 000 experienced staff helping to increase the competitiveness of EU businesses. The Network offers a whole host of services, here is a taste of some of the services on offer: Providing practical information on market opportunities, European legislation, helping SMEs to find suitable business partners using its business and technology cooperation database, providing information on tender opportunities and international networking.

Agenda for new skills and jobs - Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion This initiative is how the Commission will help the EU reach its employment target for 2020: 75% of the working-age population (20-64 years) in work. Launched in 2010, it is part of the EU's overall strategy – Europe 2020 – promoting smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in the next 10 years and beyond. The Agenda also contributes to achieve the EU's targets to get the early school-leaving rate below 10% and more young people in higher education or equivalent vocational education (at least 40%), as well as to have at least 20 million fewer people in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion by 2020.

Home page - FP7 - Research - Europa 9 July 2012 FP7: the future of European Union research policy As part of a €10.8 billion budget for research and innovation agreed for 2013, the European Commission has announced an €8.1 billion euro package of calls for proposals under the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7). This is the final and largest ever package of FP7 calls, and is an important part of the Commission’s commitment to work for growth and jobs in Europe.