2020 AND REGIONAL POLICY…

As a complement to the Innovation Union, the European Commission adopted on 6 October 2010 a Communication on the "Contribution of the Regional Policy to the Smart Growth" (this can be downloaded from here). The aim of this communication is to make Managing Authorities (i.e. those authorities in charge of the management of the Structural Funds at regional and local levels) more aware of the changing nature of innovation and the new opportunities to stimulate innovation at regional level, including through greater support for creative and cultural activities. The Communication highlights that "the capacity of the EU to recover from the crisis and meet longer-term challenges rests not only on a strong industrial base but on the creativity and skills of people, governance and strong social values – solidarity, respect for the environment, openness and cultural diversity. […] Cultural and creative industries, which flourish at the local and regional level, are in a strategic position to link creativity and innovation."