One of the key concepts in European research policy is the "European Research Area" (ERA), which is seen as a necessary complement to the European economic area. Next to the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital, the free movement of knowledge thus represents the "fifth freedom", flowing without obstacles between the Member States.
To achieve this vision, the European Commission, the EU Member States and the European Parliament, together with the scientific community and industry, work jointly towards the realisation of the ERA.
In April 2007, the European Commission set forth to incorporate a new dynamic into the idea of the European Research Area, which had originally been proposed in 2000. A Green Paper (consultation paper) on the ERA was tabled and was followed by several experts' reports on the five different chapters contained in the Green Paper. As a result of these reports and of a large consultation of the major European stakeholders, the European Commission published five follow-up initiatives. With these ERA initiatives, the European Commission wants to speed up the implementation of the ERA and to support the 2020 ERA Vision.