Activities of Klaus BUCHNER related to 2019/0151(COD)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (recast)
Amendments (111)
Amendment 99 #
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
Having regard to the Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015 (the Paris Agreement),
Amendment 100 #
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1 b (new)
Citation 1 b (new)
Having regard to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1 c (new)
Citation 1 c (new)
Having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ‘The European Green Deal’ (COM(2019) 640 final),
Amendment 102 #
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1 d (new)
Citation 1 d (new)
Having regard to the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law),
Amendment 103 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2 a) In view of the urgent need for ambitious action to tackle climate change and environmental challenges, to limit global warming to 1,5° C, and to avoid massive loss of biodiversity, the Commission adopted its communication on ‘The European Green Deal’, which undertook to transform the Union into a healthier and more sustainable, fair, just and prosperous society with net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The proposed ‘European Climate Law’ (COM(2020) 80) embeds into law the goal set out in the European Green Deal for Europe’s economy and society to become climate-neutral. This means achieving net-zero emissions at Union level by cutting GHG emissions and protecting the natural environment. This transformation will only be possible through a boost in research and innovation, which underscores the need to reinforce favourable conditions and investments in enhancing Europe’s knowledge base and research and innovation capacity, in particular in green climate-friendly technologies and innovations.
Amendment 106 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The EIT, primarily through its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (‘KICs’), should aim at strengthening innovation ecosystems that tackle global societal challenges, in particular the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and reducing GHG emissions in line with the Paris Agreement to net-zero by 2040 at the latest. It should primarily have the objective of contributing to the development of the Union’s and the Member States’ innovation capacity at the highest standards. In order to achieve this objective, the EIT should facilitate and enhance networking and cooperation and create synergies between different innovation communities in Europe.
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The strategic priority fieldlong-term strategy, objectives and financial needs ofor the EIT for athe period of seven years 2020-2027, covering the respectivenext Multiannual Financial Framework (‘MFF’), should be laid down in a Strategic Innovation Agenda ( ‘SIA’). The SIA should define the EIT’s key actions, targeted results, expected socioeconomic impact, including its impact on reducing GHG emissions to net-zero by 2040 at the latest and on fulfilling the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It should ensure alignment with the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation and foster synergies with other relevant Union programmes of the MFF as well as with other Union initiatives, policies, commitments and instruments, in particular with those supporting education and regional development. Given the importance of the SIA for the Union innovation policy and the resulting political significance of its socio-economic and socio-ecological impact for the Union, the SIA should be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on the basis of a Commission proposal based on a contribution provided by the EIT.
Amendment 113 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5 a) The crisis resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 has caused a massive and disruptive impact on Member States' health and economic systems, causing societal disruptions. Those impacts will require the collaboration of all Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and the EIT should contribute to the innovation efforts that are needed to provide a coherent response to the crisis and to contribute to the European recovery plan and hence the long-term recovery of our societies and economy based on the European Green Deal and resilience. Moreover, the EIT and its KICs should reinforce its actions in order to support and increase the resilience of microenterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups as well as students, researchers, entrepreneurs and employees and keep its vibrant innovation ecosystems alive.
Amendment 116 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 c (new)
Recital 5 c (new)
(5 c) The EIT Governing Board and the KICs shall adopt flexibility measures and actions necessary to provide the appropriate support to their ecosystem based on the knowledge triangle, creating, where necessary, ad hoc support measures for their partners and beneficiaries and even beyond their communities. They shall provide their partners, their beneficiaries and students with tools and instruments to adapt to more decentralised and remote working methods, less travel, more uncertainty and continued social distancing.
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In line with the Union framework programme supporting research and innovationHorizon Europe, the activities of the EIT should address strategic long-term challenges for innovation in Europe, particularly in trans- and/or inter-disciplinary areas including those already identified at European level. In so doing, the EIT should promote periodic dialogue with civil societe development of non-technological solutions, organisational approaches, new business models, systems innovation and public sector innovations, as a necessary complement to technology focused innovation activities. In so doing, the EIT should promote periodic dialogue with civil society, including with research and innovation centres, SMEs, higher education and industry.
Amendment 121 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7 a) The EIT should seek to engage more closely with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to ensure their active participation in the activities of the KICs. Furthermore, public companies and local authorities, as well as non-profit organisations, should be involved in the KICs, as appropriate.
Amendment 122 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 b (new)
Recital 7 b (new)
(7 b) Social-enterprises being very innovative in nature through the goods or services they offer, their organisation or the production methods they resort to, the promotion of social entrepreneurship activities should be part of the activities of the EIT and its KICs.
Amendment 124 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The EIT should primarily operate through excellence-driven and autonomous large-scale European Partnerships of higher education institutions, research organisations, companies and other stakeholders in the form of sustainable and long-term self-supporting strategic networks in the innovation process. Those partnerships should aim to become financially sustainable by attracting additional private and public investment and to attract and engage the widest possible range of new partners. They should be selected by the Governing Board of the EIT on the basis of a transparent and excellence-based process , in accordance with the criteria of the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation for the selection of European Partnerships and with this Regulation, and designated as KICs.
Amendment 126 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8 a) In order to contribute to addressing new and emerging global societal challenges, the EIT should launch new KICs in priority only after having assessed their consistency with the SDGs and the goal of climate neutrality as well as their relevance to Horizon Europe policy priorities, their complementarity and synergy with other EU programmes, and their added value to be addressed through the EIT model. The selection and launch of new KICs should be based on an open, transparent and competitive processes and take into account the Strategic Planning of Horizon Europe, the mid-term review of the EIT and the KICs, and the budget allocated to the EIT for the respective budgetary period. In the process and running of the KICs the EIT should take into account that not all KICS have the same financial needs with some being more capital intensive than others.
Amendment 132 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The Governing Board should also steer the activities of the EIT and coordinate the reporting, monitoring and evaluation of the activities of the KICs in line with the provisions of the Union framework programme supporting research and innovation . Membership of the Governing Board should balance experience from the business and the higher education and/or research worlds as well as from the innovation sector. The EIT Governing Board should also ensure geographical and gender balance in the its composition.
Amendment 136 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Relations between the EIT and the KICs should be based on framework partnership agreements and grant agreements, which will set out the KICs’ rights and obligations, ensure an adequate level of coordination and outline the mechanism for monitoring and evaluating KICs’ activities and outcomes. The framework partnership agreement should ensure continuity of the EIT financial contribution to a KIC beyond the respective MFF. By way of derogation from Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council12 (the ‘Financial Regulation’), the EIT should be able to establish such framework partnership agreement for an initial period of seven years and extend it beyond that period for another period of a maximum of seven yearssubject to a mid-term review by the EIT by the end of the fourth year taking inter alia account of KIC’s the achievement in terms of its set objectives, milestones, impact, progress towards financial sustainability and contribution to climate neutrality and the SDGs. Based on a positive final evaluation before the end of the initial seven year period, the EIT may extend the framework partnership agreement for another period of a maximum of seven years. In the event of an extension of the initial seven-year agreement, the KIC shall be subject to another mid-term review based on the same criteria and methodology deciding on the further continuation of the KIC. _________________ 12Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1).
Amendment 138 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12 a) Subject to the outcome of a final review before the expiry of the fourteenth year of the framework partnership agreement, the EIT may conclude a memorandum of cooperation with a KIC aiming to maintain cooperation with KICs after the termination of the framework partnership agreement or under exceptional duly justified circumstances may decided to extend the partnership agreement with a KIC. Such extension should be subject to a positive in-depth evaluation by independent external experts of the KICs' effectiveness and provided that they have achieved a sufficient degree of impact and financial sustainability. The extension should be limited in time, budget and scope to the activities of the KIC that cannot yet be financially sustainable, but remain crucial for the fulfilment of its tasks, activities and capabilities in responding to pressing societal challenges.
Amendment 149 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The EIT should produce a consolidated annual activity report, outlining the activities conducted and results of the operations in the preceding calendar year . The EIT should also produce a single programming document, outlining its planned initiatives in terms of annual and multiannual programming and allowing the EIT to respond to internal and external developments in the fields of science, technology, higher education, innovation, societal challenges and other relevant areas. Those documents should be transmitted to the European Parliament for its opinion.
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) It is appropriate that the Commission initiate independent, external evaluations of the operation of the EIT, including the KICs , in particular with a view to preparing the SIA. Those evaluations should examine how the EIT fulfils its mission, cover all activities of the EIT and KICs and should assess their relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, European added value, openness, outreach activities and coherence. Those evaluations should feed into the Commission programme evaluations provided for in the Union framework programme supporting research and innovation.
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
Recital 20 a (new)
(20 a) The EIT should foster innovation in its activities and should support the integration of higher education in the innovation ecosystem, in particular by stimulating entrepreneurial education, fostering transdisciplinary collaboration between industry and higher education and research and by identifying prospective skills for future innovators to address global challenges, which includes advanced digital, sustainability and innovation skills. Support schemes provided by the EIT should benefit EIC beneficiaries, while start-ups emerging from KICs should have fast-track access to EIC actions.
Amendment 160 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) ‘innovation’ means the process, including its outcome, by which new ideas respond to societal or, economic or environmental needs and demand and generate new products, services or business and organisational models that are successfully introduced into an existing market or that are able to create new markets and that provide value to society in non-market domains;
Amendment 161 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
(1 a) 'social innovation' means a subset of innovation activities, aiming to develop new ideas, goods, services, processes and models to better address social issues, create social relationships and form new collaborations, inviting input from public and private actors, including civil society, to address unmet social challenges more effectively;
Amendment 166 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)
(2 a) 'KIC co-location centre’ means a physical space, established in an open and transparent manner, covering a geographical area, where a KIC's main knowledge triangle partners can easily interact, providing the focal point for the KIC's activity in that area;
Amendment 172 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
(3) ‘partner organisation’ means any legal entity which is a member of a KIC and may include, in particular, higher education institutions, vocational education and training providers, research organisations, public institutions, public or private companies, financial institutions, regional and local authorities, foundations and non-profit organisations;
Amendment 177 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7
(7) ‘Strategic Innovation Agenda’ (‘SIA’) means a policy documenlegislative act outlining the priority fields and the long-term strategy of the EITlong-term strategy and priorities of the EIT and defining its objectives, key actions, for future initiatives, its capacity to generate the best innovation added- value, including an overview of planned higher education, research and innovation activities; expected results as well as expected economic, societal, socio- ecological impacts, in particular as regards its impact in contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero by 2040 at the latest, therewith linked political priorities under the European Green Deal and the achieving of the SDGs; and resources needed over a period of seven years , covering the respective MFF ;
Amendment 181 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 8
(8) ‘Regional Innovation Scheme’ (‘RIS’) means an outreach scheme targeted at partnerships between higher education institutions, established as an integral part of the KICs’ multi-annual strategies, targeted at regions and countries with low R&I performance with the aim to increasearch organisations, companies and o their innovation capacity by strengthening their stakeholders, in order to foster innovation across the Unionengagement in knowledge triangle activities and integrating new partners into the KICs, and thereby foster innovation across the Union and ensure a more geographically balanced participation in the EIT Community;
Amendment 184 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
(10) ‘KIC business plan’ means a document describing the objectives and the planned KIC added-value activities; , milestones as well as expected results and impacts of the KIC for the relevant period, including the KICS's contribution to reducing GHG emission to net-zero by 2040 at the latest and the SDGs, related estimated financial needs and resources, its strategy to reach financial sustainability and an open and more geographically balanced participation in its activities;
Amendment 190 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13
(13) ‘financial sustainability’ means a capacity of a KIC to fund its knowledge triangle activities independently after the end dategenerate sufficient revenue to sustain its core knowledge triangle activities, including a share of the costs of maintaining its ecosystem, independently from contributions from the EIT and after the end of the framework partnership agreement.
Amendment 192 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – title
Article 3 – title
3 Mission and general objectives
Amendment 193 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
The EIT’s mission is to contribute to sustainable Union economic growthdevelopment and comprospetritivenessy by reinforcing the innovation capacity of the Member States and the Union in order to address major pressing challenges faced by the society. It shall do this by promoting synergies and cooperation among, and integrating,, in particular the realisation of a net-zero GHG emission economy by 2040 at the latest, therewith linked political priorities under the European Green Deal, and the SDGs. It shall do this by promoting synergies, integration, cooperation and interdisciplinary learning loops among higher education, research and, innovation of the highest standards, including by fostering entrepreneurshipand entrepreneurial spirit, thereby strengthening and creating innovation ecosystem and by fostering sustainability and climate neutrality by design.
Amendment 196 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
The EIT shall contribute to deliver on the general and specific objectives of the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation and in consistency with the strategic planning.
Amendment 199 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 200 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b.The specific objectives of the EIT shall be: (a) to increase the impact of KICs and knowledge triangle integration; (b) to increase openness and transparency of the KICs by including a wider range of stakeholders across the Union; (c) to increase the innovation capacity of the higher education sector across the Union by promoting institutional change in higher education institutions (HEIs) and their integration in the innovation ecosystems; (d) to increase the regional outreach of the EIT in order to address regional disparities in innovation capacity across the Union.
Amendment 201 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The SIA shall define the priority fields and strategylong-term strategic priorities for the EIT for the seven-year period concerned, taking into account of the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation, and shall include an assessment of its expected socioeconomic impact, as well as its impact on contributing to reaching a net-zero GHG emission economy, therewith linked political priorities under the European Green Deal and the SDGs; its outreach activities and its capacity to generate the best innovation added-value. The SIA shall take into account the results of the monitoring and evaluation of the EIT as referred to in Article 19.
Amendment 206 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The SIA shall be aligned with the objectives of the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation, the strategic multiannual planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation and other requirements of that programme, and shall foster synergies with other relevant Union programmes of the respective MFF, in particular with those supporting education andresearch and innovation, education and skills development and entrepreneurial culture, regional development. It shall also establish appropriate synergies and complementarities between the EIT activities and other Union initiatives , policies, goals and instruments, in particular with the European Innovation Council (‘EIC’), missions and other European Partnerships established under Horizon Europe .
Amendment 209 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. The SIA shall include an estimate of financial needs and sources in view of the future operation, long-term development and funding of the EIT. It shall also contain an indicative financial plan covering the period of the respective MFF as well as an estimation of the budget contributing to the climate mainstreaming target under Horizon Europe broken down per KIC.
Amendment 211 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Article 4 – paragraph 4
4. The EIT shall submit its contribution to the Commission’s proposal for the SIA, taking into account the view and input from existing KICs, shall prepare a seven-year draft SIA, make it available to the public and submit it to the Commission.
Amendment 212 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) a Governing Board composed of high-level members experienced in higher education, research, innovation and business, including a Member of the European Innovation Council. It shall be responsible for steering the activities of the EIT, for the selection, designation , monitoring and evaluation of the KICs, and for all other strategic decisions;. The selection of the members for the EIT Governing Board shall respect gender balance and take into account the criteria of geographical balance
Amendment 215 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) an Executive Committee composed of selected members representing all three dimensions of the knowledge triangle and the Chairperson of the Governing Board. It shall assist the Governing Board in the performance of its tasks and prepare the Governing Board meetings in cooperation with the Director ;
Amendment 219 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The detailed provisions regarding the EIT bodies and governance are set out in the Statutes of the EIT, annexed to this Regulation.
Amendment 221 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) identify its activities, in accordance with the SIA, its main priorities and activitiesset in the SIA;
Amendment 222 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) provide the necessary support and synergies with KICs to develop innovative solutions and help with the delivery of the European Economic Recovery based on the EU priorities of the ‘European Green Deal’ and resilience
Amendment 224 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) ensure openness to and raise awareness among potential partner organisations and, especially with SMEs and with emerging centres of excellence in low R&I performing countries and regions to encourage their participation in its activities;
Amendment 229 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) select and designate KICs in the priority fields in accordance with Article 9 and define their rights and obligations by framework partnership agreements and grant agreements , provide them with appropriate support, strategic guidance, apply appropriate quality control measures and continuously monitor and periodically evaluate their activities;
Amendment 231 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(d a) mobilise funds from public and private sources and use its resources in accordance with this Regulation and, in particular, seek to raise a significant and increasing proportion of its budget from private sources and from income generated by its own activities;
Amendment 236 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(f a) promote the wide dissemination, communication and exploitation of results and opportunities emerging from the EIT Community, in order to increase awareness, visibility and knowledge of the EIT across the Union as well as encourage participation in EIT Community activities;
Amendment 239 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) promote multidisciplinary approaches to innovation, social innovation, through including the integration of technological, social and non-technological solutions, sustainability and climate neutrality by design, organisational approaches and new business models, system and public sector innovation;
Amendment 240 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(i a) assess intellectual property rights (IPR) practices in the Union's innovation landscape and their impact on the Union's innovation capacity, in particular the economic impact on SMEs; develop and provide guidance on innovative IPR models promoting knowledge transfer and dissemination, both within the context of the KICs and more widely across the Union;
Amendment 242 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i b (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i b (new)
(i b) ensure that KICs can operate with the necessary flexibility to adapt their operations to the increasing demands arising from the COVID-19 crisis;
Amendment 243 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point j
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) organise regular meetings, at least annually, of a Stakeholder Forum to informshare and discuss with stakeholders about the activities of the EIT, itsexchange experiences, and best practices and contribution to Union innovation, research and education policies and objectives and to allow stakeholders to express their views;
Amendment 249 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point l
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point l
(l) design and coordinate support actions undertaken by the KICs for the development of entrepreneurial and innovation capacity of higher education institutions and their integration in innovation ecosystems. , professional training institutions, SMEs and start-ups and their integration in innovation ecosystems, in line with the knowledge triangle approach.
Amendment 254 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point l a (new)
(l a) facilitate the establishment of EIT Community shared services facilities, aimed at jointly handling specific operational tasks, common for all EIT KICs;
Amendment 255 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 a (new)
The Commission shall assist the EIT and its KICs in identifying synergies with other Union programmes.
Amendment 256 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph -1 (new)
Article 7 – paragraph -1 (new)
-1. The EIT shall consolidate existing KICs, foster their development and impact, and accompany their transition to financial sustainability when framework partnership agreements are set to terminate.
Amendment 257 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) innovation activities and investments with European added value , including thefacilitating and support toing the creation and development of innovative businessesand sustainable businesses and start-ups, in complementarity with the EIC, fully integrating the higher education and research dimensions to attain a critical mass and stimulating the dissemination and exploitation of results;
Amendment 260 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) innovation-driven activities, research, experimentation, prototyping and demonstration in areas of key economic, socio-ecological and societal interest and drawing on the results of Union and national research, with the potential to strengthen Union’s sustainability, effort towards climate neutrality and competitiveness at international level and find solutions for the major challenges faced by European society, in particular health and digital challenges and the implementation of the Union's climate goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
Amendment 264 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) education and training activities in particular at masters and doctoral level, as well as professional training courses, in disciplines with the potential to meet future European socio-economic and socio- ecological needs and which expand the Union’s talent base, promote the development of innovation-related skills, the improvement of managerial and entrepreneurial skills and the mobility of researchers and students, and foster knowledge-sharing, mentoring and networking among the recipients of EIT- labelled degrees and training education and training activities, including labelled ones;
Amendment 265 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) outreach activities and the dissemination ofenabling learning from best practices in the field of innovation sector with a focus on the development of cooperation between higher education, research andentrepreneurial experience, sustainability and climate neutrality by design, the development of cooperation and interdisciplinary learning loops between higher education, research, public and third sector organisations as well as business, including the service and financial sectors;
Amendment 266 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(d a) EIT RIS activities as part of their multiannual strategies, to strengthen innovation capacity and innovation ecosystems across Europe with a view to decreasing innovation performance disparities across the Union and ensuring a more geographically balanced participation in the EIT Community across the Union.
Amendment 267 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
(d b) support actions to support HEIs to better integrate in innovation value chains and ecosystems and bringing them together with other key innovation players from the knowledge triangle and thereby improve their strategic capacity development;
Amendment 268 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d c (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d c (new)
(d c) establishing a repository mapping out the relationship between inventions and patents held by the KICs and the identification of their owners;
Amendment 269 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) to seek synergies and complementarities between KIC activities and existing European, national and regional programmes, where appropriate, in particular the EIC, other European Partnerships and missions, in order to avoid duplication.
Amendment 271 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(e a) to seek to raise an increasing proportion of their budget from both public and private sources and income generated by their own activities, in accordance with Article 17;
Amendment 273 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) establish internal transparent governance arrangements which reflect the knowledge triangle of higher education, research and innovation;
Amendment 274 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) ensure and promote their openness to new members wheneverhrough clear and transparent entry and exit criteria, including through open calls, to new members across the Union theyat add value to the partnership;
Amendment 277 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) function in an open and transparent way, in accordance with codes of good governance to be enshrined in their internal rules;
Amendment 278 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) establish and implement business plans ; , including clear objectives, key performance indicators, expected results and impacts, ways how to address and achieve sustainability and climate neutrality by design as well as qualitative and quantitative methods and tools for follow-up;
Amendment 279 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(d a) elaborate a two-year strategic plan detailing initiatives envisaged to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, while paying specific attention to actions aiming to increase the resilience of the innovation ecosystems and in particular of microenterprises, small and medium- sized enterprises and start-ups, but also of the students, researchers and employees;
Amendment 281 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
(d b) in synergy with other Union innovation strands and other Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and in order to respond to the European recovery plan and the European Green Deal, publish dedicated calls, promote initiatives using their partnerships, ecosystems and communities, develop individual and cross-KIC projects to support sustainable business restructuring, and identify microenterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups and other stakeholders that need support and for example a better access to finance;
Amendment 283 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d c (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d c (new)
(d c) propose initiatives aiming to support their ecosystem based on the knowledge triangle, while at the same time being flexible enough to create measures that are fit for purpose for their partners and beneficiaries and beyond their existing communities;
Amendment 285 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) establish and implement strategies for achieving financial sustainability leading to a gradual reduction in Union financing.
Amendment 286 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(e a) develop outreach activities, in particular with emerging institutions and centres of excellence in Union regions that perform less well;
Amendment 287 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
(e b) convene a Stakeholders' Forum once a year to inform and consult relevant and interested stakeholders;
Amendment 294 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) specific rules on ownership, access rights, exploitation and dissemination may apply for KIC added-value activities, where appropriate.
Amendment 295 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. A partnership shall be selected and designated by the EIT to become a KIC in line with the priorities defined in the strategic planning of the applicable Union framework programme for research and innovation and following a competitive, open and transparent procedure. The criteria of the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation for the selection of European partnerships shall apply. The EIT Governing Board may further specify those criteria, by adopting and publishing criteria for the selection of KICs based on the principles of excellence and innovation relevance.., balanced geographical spread and innovation relevance in delivering on societal challenges and EU policy priorities, in particular the reduction of GHG emissions to net-zero by 2040, the European Green Deal and the SDGs. External and independent experts shall be involved in the selection process
Amendment 299 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. In addition to the criteria of the Union framework programme supporting research and innovation for the selection of European partnerships, the selection criteria for the designation of a KIC shall include: (a) the demonstration of openness and transparency of its governance, and its strategy for attracting new entrants; (b) a multidisciplinary approach to innovation, including the integration of technological, social and non- technological solutions; (c) the partnership’s capacity to ensure sustainable and long-term self-supporting financing, including a substantial and increasing contribution from the private sector, industry and services; (d) an appropriately balanced participation in the partnership of organisations active in the knowledge triangle of higher education, research and innovation; (e) the demonstration of a plan for the management of intellectual property appropriate to the sector concerned, including the way in which contributions from the various partner organisations have been taken into account; (f) measures to support the involvement of, and cooperation with, the private sector, including the financial sector and in particular SMEs, as well as the creation of start-ups, spin-offs and SMEs, with a view to the commercial exploitation of the results of the activities of KICs; (g) measures to support the involvement of and cooperation with socio-economic actors including public authorities, public sector enterprises and non-profit organisations, where appropriate; (h) readiness to interact with other organisations and networks outside the KIC with the aim of sharing best practices and excellence, including regions that perform less well.
Amendment 301 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. In addition to the condition set out in paragraph 3, at least two thirds of the partner organisations forming a KIC shall be established in the Member States ensuring a balanced geographical coverage. At least one higher education institution , one research organisation and, one private company and one SME or start-up shall be part of each KIC.
Amendment 306 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 5
Article 9 – paragraph 5
5. The EIT shall adopt and publish criteria and procedures for financing, monitoring and evaluating the activities of the KICs prior to the launching of the selection procedure for new KICs. The Member States’ Representatives Group referred to in Article 6(k) and the European Parliament shall be promptly informed of them.
Amendment 307 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
The EIT shall, on the basis of indicators set out, inter alia, in the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation and in the SIA, and in close cooperation with the Commission, organise continuous monitoring and periodic external evaluations of the output, results and impact of each KIC pursuant Article 11. The results of such monitoring and evaluations shall be reported to the European Parliament and to the Council and shall be made public.
Amendment 310 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – title
Article 11 – title
11 Duration, continuation and termination of a KICframework partnership agreement
Amendment 311 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. SBased on the results of the annual monitoring of the KICs, in accordance with Article 10, and subject to the outcome of a comprehensive mid-term review before the expiryto be carried out by the end of the fourth year of the initial period of seven -years period, the Governing Board may decide to extendcontinue the framework partnership agreement with a KIC beyonduntil the end of the initial period for another period of a maximum of seven years or to discontinue the EIT’s financial contribution and not to extend the framework partnership agree, in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article. In its assessment. T the Governing Board shall take into account in particular the achieved level of financial sustainability of a KIC, its capacity to ensure openness to new membersgoals set by the KIC, the KIC’s relevance to address the Union’s global and societal challenges, the validity and applicability of lessons and insights generated by the KIC that contributed to reducing GHG emissions to net-zero and achieving the SDGs, the KIC’s coordination efforts with other relevant R&I initiatives, the achieved level of financial sustainability of a KIC, its capacity to ensure openness to and attraction of new members, the transparency of its governance, the strength of the created innovation ecosystem and geographical coverage, as well as the limits of the Union financial contribution referred to in Article 20, its European added value and relevance with regard to the objectives of the EIT. The result of the interim reviews shall be reported to the European Parliament and to the Council and shall be made public
Amendment 314 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. At the end of the initial seven-year period, the Governing Board may decide to extend the framework partnership agreement for another seven-year period. That decision shall be based on the criteria set out in paragraph 2 and on the final evaluation of the KIC’s performance to be carried out before the end of of the initial seven-year period.
Amendment 315 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. In the event of an extension of the initial seven-year agreement, the KIC shall be subject to another mid-term review by the end of the fourth year of the second seven-year period, based on the same criteria and methodology.
Amendment 316 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 4
Article 11 – paragraph 4
4. Subject to the outcome of a final review before the expiry of the fourteenth year of the framework partnership agreement, the EIT may conclude a memorandum of cooperation with a KIC. or under exceptional duly justified circumstances and subject to a in-depth assessment by external independent experts, the Governing Board may decided to extend the framework partnership agreement with a KIC until the end of the current programming period. Such extension shall be subject to: (a) a positive in-depth evaluation of the KIC by the external experts as well as the Governing Board, taking into account the assessment criteria set out in paragraph 2; (b) a detailed explanation by the KIC elaborating on why and how the framework Partnership shall be extended; (c) a limited in time, budget and scope encompassing activities of the KIC that cannot yet be financially sustainable, but remain crucial for the fulfilment of its tasks, activities and capabilities in responding to societal challenges. Those activities shall be described in a detailed plan by the KIC, which shall be submitted to the Governing Board for evaluation.
Amendment 321 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. Degrees and diplomas relating to the higher education activities referred to in point (c) of Article 7(1) shall be awarded by participating higher education institutions in accordance with national rules and accreditation procedures. The framework partnership agreements and grant agreements between the EIT and the KICs shall provide that these degrees and diplomas mayshall also be labelled EIT degrees and diplomas.
Amendment 323 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
(a a) promote and publicise the EIT Label in their training and diplomas
Amendment 324 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. create programmes focusing on lifelong learning and certification
Amendment 325 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. The EIT and the KICs shall ensure that their activities are conducted with a high level of transparency. In particular, the EIT and the KICs shall set up an accessible, free website providing information about their activities and opportunities, in particular open calls, they provide.
Amendment 326 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Detailed information on the monitoring and evaluation processes referred to in Article 11 and 18, including its contribution to Horizon Europe’s climate mainstreaming target split down per KIC, and results from all calls for proposals issued by EIT or its KICs are to be made available timely and made accessible in the common database of Horizon Europe.
Amendment 327 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 5
Article 17 – paragraph 5
5. The KICs or their partner organisations may apply for Union financial contribution , in particular in the framework of Union programmes and funds, in accordance with their respective rules . In that case, such contribution shall not cover the same costs already funded under another Union programme . The financial contribution from other Union programmes and funds shall not exceed 25% of the KICs' annual budget, calculated on a three-yearly average.
Amendment 330 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 7
Article 17 – paragraph 7
7. The EIT shall establish a competitive and performance-based allocation mechanism for granting an appropriate share of its financial contribution to the KICs. It shall include assessing quality and potential of the projects proposed in the KICs’ business plans and performance of previous years as measured by continuous monitoring , and in particulartheir impact across the Union, their progress in achieving financial sustainability as well as contributing to the goal of climate neutrality.
Amendment 333 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) an estimate of financing needs and sources, including the estimated amount contributing to the climate mainstreaming target under the Union Framework for Research and Innovation;
Amendment 335 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(b a) an estimate of the staffing needs arising from new tasks
Amendment 337 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) appropriate qualitative and quantitative approaches, methods, tools and indicators for monitoring the KICs and EIT activities using an impact-oriented approach including suitable approaches, methods and tools for generating insights and learning that can lead to interdisciplinary learning loops and exchanges to accelerate progress to reducing GHG emissions to net-zero;
Amendment 339 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2
Article 18 – paragraph 2
2. The EIT shall adopt a consolidated annual activity report , which shall include comprehensive information on the activities conducted by the EIT and the KICs during the preceding calendar year and on the EIT’s contribution to the objectives of the Union framework programme supportingfor research and innovation, including their contribution to fulfilling the SDGs and reducing GHG emission to net-zero by 2040 at the latest, and to the Union innovation, research and education policies and objectives. It shall also assess the results with respect to the objectives, indicators and timetable set, the risks associated with the activities carried out, the use of resources, including its contribution to the climate mainstreaming target under the framework for research and innovation, and the general operation of the EIT. The consolidated annual activity report shall include further comprehensive information in accordance with the EIT’s financial rules. Every year the EIT Director shall present the annual report to the competent Committees of the European Parliament.
Amendment 341 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2
Article 19 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall provide for evaluations of the EIT with the assistance ofby independent experts selected on the basis of a transparent process in accordance with its financial rules . Those evaluations shall examine how the EIT fulfils its mission, cover all activities of the EIT and the KICs and assess the European added value of the EIT, the impact, effectiveness, sustainability, efficiency and relevance of the activities pursued and their coherence and/or complementarity with relevant national and Union policies , including synergies with other parts of the Union framework programme supporting research and innovation .for research and innovation, in particular the EIC, other Partnerships and missions. The evaluation shall also assess aspects relating to the promotion of the involvement of participants from low R&I performing regions and the participation of SMEs and start-ups as well as its contribution to the SDGs and reaching a net-zero GHG emission economy by 2040 at the latest They shall take into account the views of stakeholders, at both European and national level and feed into the Commission programme evaluations provided for in the Union framework programme supporting research and innovation .
Amendment 343 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 a (new)
Article 19 a (new)
Article 19 a Mid-term review of the EIT The EIT shall be subject to a thorough mid-term review by the Commission, on the basis of the periodic evaluations established in Article 19 of this Regulation. It shall be conducted with the assistance of independent experts selected on the basis of an open and transparent process carried out once there is sufficient information available about the EIT’s implementation progress, but no later than four years after the start of the programme implementation. Among other elements, that mid-term review shall assess the success and potential continuation, respectively expansion, of the HEI-pilot as well as whether there are the necessary budgetary conditions to launch any new KIC. It should also provide a quantitative and qualitative insight on the EIT and KICs' contribution in terms of reducing GHG emissions to net-zero, the European Green Deal and delivery of the SDGs. Moreover, it shall also assess the feasibility of bringing closer all the implementing bodies of Pillar III of Horizon Europe in order to have a one-stop-shop for innovation with a set of different complementary activities.
Amendment 345 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph -1 (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph -1 (new)
-1 For the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027, the Union contribution shall be provided through a financial contribution of 4 % from the overall budget for Horizon Europe .
Amendment 346 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The Union contribution may be provided through a financial contribution from the Union framework programme supporting research and innovation and other Union programmes, without prejudice to the amounts decided in the respective MFFEIT may receive additional funding from other Union programmes.
Amendment 349 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 21 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Budgetary commitments for actions implementing the SIA of the EIT extending over more than one financial year may be broken down over several years into annual instalments
Amendment 351 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 1 – point 1 – introductory part
Annex I – section 1 – point 1 – introductory part
1. The Governing Board shall be composed of 152 members, appointed by the Commission in a transparent manner by an open call for interest, providing a balance between those with experience in business, higher education and research as well as respecting gender and geographical balance. The term of office of the members of the Governing Board shall be four years . The Commission may extend that term of office once by a two- year period on the proposal of the Governing Board .
Amendment 356 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 1 – point 1 – paragraph 2
Annex I – section 1 – point 1 – paragraph 2
The Commission shall have regard toensure the balance between higher education, research, innovation and business experience as well as to gender and geographical balance and an appreciation of the higher education, research and innovation environment across the Union.
Amendment 358 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 1 – point 1 – paragraph 5
Annex I – section 1 – point 1 – paragraph 5
Amendment 359 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point a
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point a
(a) adopt the EIT’s contribution to the Commission’s proposal on the EIT's Strategic Innovation Agenda (SIA) after having taken into account the opinion of the existing KICs;
Amendment 360 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point c
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point c
(c) adopt criteria and procedures for financing, monitoring and evaluating the activities of the KICs, including the maximum allocation of EIT funds to them , taking into account the requirements set out in Article 11;
Amendment 362 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point e
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point e
(e) select and designate a partnership as a KIC in accordance with criteria set out in Article 9 or withdraw the designation where appropriate;
Amendment 363 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point g
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point g
(g) authorise the Director to extend framework partnership agreements with the KICs beyond the period initially set; based on a positive outcome of the assessments in accordance with Articles 10 and 11;
Amendment 364 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point j
Annex I – section 2 – point 1 – point j
(j) take appropriate measures, including the reduction, modification or withdrawal of the EIT’s financial contribution to the KICs or the termination of the framework partnership agreements with them based on the outcome of the assessments in accordance with Articles 10, 11 and 17;
Amendment 366 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 2 – point 2 – point c
Annex I – section 2 – point 2 – point c
(c) adopt an open and transparent procedure for selecting the Executive Committee ;
Amendment 367 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 4 – point 2
Annex I – section 4 – point 2
2. The Executive Committee shall consist of four members and, including the Chairperson of the Governing Board, who shall also chair the Executive Committee. The fourthree members other than the Chairperson shall be chosen by the Governing Board from among the Governing Board's members , providing a balance between those with experience in business, higher education and research as well as gender and geographical balance . The term of office of the members of the Executive Committee shall be two years, renewable once.
Amendment 369 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – section 5 – point 6 – point e
Annex I – section 5 – point 6 – point e
(e) prepare and administer the KICs selection process and ensure that the various stages of that process are carried out in a transparent and objective manner , under the supervision of the Governing Board , annexing a detailed report of the selection process to the consolidated annual activity report;