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Plan I for Europe

This report from Nesta and the Lisbon Council sets out a seven-point plan for making Europe the best place in the world to innovate. It builds on Nesta's influential Plan I for the UK.

This report from Nesta and the Lisbon Council sets out a seven-point plan for making Europe the best place in the world to innovate. It builds on Nesta's influential Plan I for the UK.

Key findings:

  • Complete the single market (particularly for digital business, telecoms and services)
  • Make public innovation funding bold, experimental and open to all
  • Build 21st century infrastructure (including superfast broadband and smart grids)
  • Educate a technology-savvy workforce
  • Embrace social innovation
  • Make innovation open for EU citizens and the world
  • Reform European institutions so they better support innovation

Innovation is a critical driver of growth and productivity, and if Europe's economic recovery is to be sustainably, innovation must be at its heart.

Europe has great strengths, and both businesses and places that lead the world. But to build on these strengths, policymakers need to embrace a broader vision of innovation - based not only on expanding research and development, but also recognises the role of high-growth businesses, innovation in services, social innovation and the power of digital technologies.

This report sets out seven recommendations that could be implemented by EU policymakers to improve the environment for innovation in Europe.

By taking a broader view of innovation, and implementing greater high-level ownership of the innovation agenda, Europe could become the best place in the world to innovate.

Plan I for Europe builds on Nesta's previous publication 'Plan I', which made recommendations for the UK, and our ongoing work on innovation policy.

Authors

Albert Bravo-Biosca, Louise Marston, Ann Mettler, Geoff Mulgan, Stian Westlake. Editor: Paul Hofheinz

Authors

Albert Bravo-Biosca

Albert Bravo-Biosca

Albert Bravo-Biosca

Director, Innovation Growth Lab

Albert is Director of the Innovation Growth Lab.

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Stian Westlake

Stian Westlake

Stian Westlake

Executive Director of Policy and Research

Stian led Nesta's Policy and Research team. His research interests included the measurement of innovation and its effects on productivity, the role of high-growth businesses in the eco…

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Geoff Mulgan

Geoff Mulgan

Geoff Mulgan

Chief Executive Officer

Geoff Mulgan was Chief Executive of Nesta from 2011-2019.

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Louise Marston

Louise Marston

Louise Marston

Director of Innovation Policy and Futures

Louise was Director of Innovation Policy and Futures within the Policy and Research team. She managed Nesta's work on innovation policy and technology futures. She previously worked on…

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