The Commission unveiled two new Codes of Practice, aimed at enhancing knowledge valorisation through industry-academia collaboration and citizen engagement.
In a bid to accelerate the transformation of research and innovation into tangible societal benefits and foster strengthened collaboration between academia, industry, and society, the European Commission unveiled two New Codes of Practice aiming to enhance knowledge valorisation. These new Codes of Practice, the first covering ‘industry-academia co-creation‘ and the second ‘citizen engagement for knowledge valorisation‘, aim to provide actionable guidance for researchers and innovators to effectively leverage partnerships in driving societal and economic progress.
The Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, Iliana Ivanova, emphasised the need for this close collaboration between academia and industry, underscoring citizen engagement as a pivotal force in driving innovation. Ivanova stated, “To develop new technologies, products, and services in Europe and to ensure that innovative solutions are taken up, academia and industry must work closely together. Strong citizen engagement is key to accelerating the uptake of innovative solutions that better respond to people’s needs.”
The Code of Practice on industry-academia co-creation emphasises the need for a strategic approach, urging stakeholders to cultivate an environment conducive to collaboration from the outset of research and innovation endeavours. This includes advocating for the alignment of interests, leveraging digital platforms for matchmaking, and fostering supportive infrastructures for successful partnerships. It also highlights the importance of professional support from intermediaries and a fair distribution of the resulting value created.
In parallel, the Code of Practice on citizen engagement advocates strengthening ties between research entities and societal actors to enhance uptake of research outcomes. It encourages strategic organisational approaches, cross-sector collaboration, and empowerment of intermediaries to facilitate effective engagement. Moreover, it highlights the significance of leveraging incentives, co-creation tools, and digital solutions designed with a human-centric and sustainable approach.
These codes align with the European Research Area Policy Agenda, particularly Action 7, aimed at upgrading EU guidance for improved valorisation and complement the Guiding Principles for Knowledge Valorisation adopted in December 2022 (see SwissCore article), with the commitment to maximising the societal benefits derived from research and innovation activities. The publication of these two Codes of Practice marks a significant step in addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities in knowledge valorisation. By broadening the scope of actors and activities, fostering collaborative ecosystems, and emphasising the importance of entrepreneurial culture and skills, the European Commission aims to facilitate a more seamless and effective transition from research outputs to marketable innovations.
Furthermore, the Codes of Practice stress the imperative of citizen engagement, acknowledging the pivotal role of societal actors in driving innovation uptake. By promoting participatory processes, fostering sustainable engagement models, and leveraging digital technologies, the recommendations included in each document seek to ensure that research outcomes are more closely aligned with the diverse needs and aspirations of European society.
As Europe continues its journey towards a greener, cleaner, and digitalised future, the publication of these Codes of Practice signals a concerted effort to harness the full potential of research and innovation towards societal benefit. With a focus on strategic collaboration, inclusive engagement, and sustainable value creation, the included recommendations lay the foundation for a more vibrant and impactful research and innovation ecosystem.