Innovation

How to create a climate favourable to innovation?  This was one of the main issues discussed during a session on “Innovating for better growth”, which took place on 27 September 2012, at the occasion of the General Assembly of European Municipalities and Regions in Cadiz, Spain.

“There exist three necessary factors for territorial innovation: creators, an enabling environment and stability.  Local and regional authorities need to ensure that these conditions are met,” declared Karin Daniel, member of the Nantes City Council.

Innovation can however also be promoted and stimulated via available funding such as structural funds and other funding programmes.

“Although, a reflection process needs to be undertaken on direct European Union funding methods for cities, without having to go through the regions,” specified Giorgio Orsoni, mayor of Venice and vice-president of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR).  “Thus, funds would be distributed a lot quicker to cities, which would help promote a more direct form of democracy.”

Certain participants also underlined the need to simplify and decentralise structural funds as this would allow for local and regional authorities to use funds faster and in a more flexible way.