After the revamp of the European Research Area (ERA) in 2021, the actions of the first ERA Policy Agenda served as a three-year roadmap aimed at coordinating efforts to achieve progress in topics such as promoting open science principles and reforming research assessment. These ERA actions translate the priority areas for joint action of the Pact for research and innovation (R&I) into tangible activities and outcomes, contributing to the EU countries’ long-term vision for cooperation in this area.
Over the past three years, significant progress has been made. The ERA Forum and its sub-groups have proven to be successful co-creation bodies, bringing together the Commission, European countries and stakeholders to coordinate the implementation of the ERA actions. Some highlights include:
- Action 4: Strengthen Research Careers
ResearchComp, the European Competence Framework for Researchers, assists researchers in evaluating and enhancing their transversal skills by identifying 38 key competences across seven areas to promote career development within academia and beyond.
- Action 12: Accelerate the green/digital transition of Europe’s key industrial ecosystems
Adopting industrial technology roadmaps strengthens Europe’s industrial leadership in key technology areas by fostering strategic coordination, promoting the development of sustainable technologies, building strategic autonomy by identifying critical technologies and mobilising public and private investments. Companies can now benefit from concrete proposals that give them easier access to Technology Infrastructures, so that they can become stronger innovators and reach the market from the lab much faster.
- Action 19: Establish an ERA Monitoring system
The ERA Policy Platform contains all the information around the ERA Policy to connect and help create evidence-informed policy. This includes EU-level and country reports, progress indicators, as well as news and events.
What comes next? The adoption of the second ERA Policy Agenda 2025-27 is expected in the first half of 2025, so that the implementation of the ERA activities can continue. The preparatory work was supported by the ERA Forum over the past 18 months.
Source: European Commission | Research and Innovation | News | All research and innovation news (https://shorturl.at/p4Xwk)