International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) Position Paper

Submitted by Alina Danieles… on 24 April 2020

Following the invitation from the European Innovation Council’s Innovation Ecosystem Unit, IASP developed the position paper Strengthening the European Innovation Ecosystem via the enhanced involvement of Science Parks and other Areas of Innovation in the relevant EU strategies, policies and programmes, presenting the current and future role of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation in EU innovation policies.

Highlighting the role of Science/Technology Parks (STPs) and Areas of Innovation (AOIs) as central elements in innovation ecosystems, this position paper seeks to: • Update national and EU policy makers on the progress and developments of STPs and AOIs (Science/Technology Parks and Areas of Innovation). • Suggest ways of deepening the ongoing involvement of European STPs and AOIs in EU programmes and actions, with particular emphasis on the Enhanced EIC pilot initiative and on other innovation policy Units of the European Commission programming for the period 2021-2027. • Highlight STP/AOI involvement in the current growth of the European Region Ecosystems and relevant EU initiatives. • Enhance the contributions of its members and associates to the design of European strategies, policies and programmes, especially those related to major European priorities such as: The Green Deal, Industrial Transition, R&D and Innovation, and Cohesion.

Please find the IASP position paper in the attached document, also available to download from the IASP Knowledge Room.

IASP, with its headquarters in Spain and branch office in China, is a global association founded in 1984 and gathers over 350 members in 73 countries. More information is available here.