About Eureka
EUREKA supports the competitiveness of European companies through international collaboration, in creating links and networks of innovation. The objective is to bring high quality research and development efforts to the market and to use the multiplying effects of co-operation. The main goal is to develop and improve the quality of life.
EUREKA is tackling the challenge of a swiftly changing business environment and offers a platform for short-term as well as strategic collaboration. It offers flexible and dynamic support, quality label and expertise for market-oriented R&D projects.
EUREKA offers a co-operation frame to small and large companies and operates through its network of members from Iceland to Turkey, from Portugal to Russia, while always remaining open to global co-operation.
EUREKA's organizational structure is made up of four main bodies:
STRUCTURE
- Ministerial Conference
- One minister from each EUREKA member country and a Commissioner from the European Commission meet once a year at the Ministerial Conference, the political body of EUREKA. The Ministerial Conference announces the new projects endorsed during the year. Ministers also take decision on the further development of EUREKA.
- High Level Group
- Meets three or four times a year. Each EUREKA member appoints one representative to this group, which takes decisions on the management of EUREKA and prepares policy discussions for the Ministerial Conference. High Level Representatives are usually named by the Ministry responsible for EUREKA.
- National Project Coordinators
- The National Project Coordinators are the direct contact with EUREKA. They are responsible for contacts with project participants and potential project participants in each member country. They meet four or five times a year and are also responsible for projects generation. They advise on funding and smooth the way for setting up a project.
- The EUREKA Secretariat
- In Brussels is the central support unit, managing the EUREKA project database and undertaking marketing, communication and network development activities.
MAIN STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS
- Hannover Declaration
- It outlines the principles of the EUREKA framework, approved at the Ministerial Conference in Hannover on November 6 1985.
- Macao Guidelines
- The High Level Representatives decided in Macao on April 1998 the project endorsement of EURIMUS and similar future clusters of strategic importance.
- Guidelines 2000+
- Document setting out EUREKA’s policy guidelines for the next years.
MEMBERS
EUREKA currently has 34 full members. In addition, 3 countries across Europe participate in EUREKA projects through a network of National Information Points (NIPs) and Morocco gained the Associate Country status in 2003.
| Full Member | Since |
|---|---|
| Austria | 1985 |
| Croatia | 2000 |
| Czech Republic | 1995 |
| Cyprus | 2002 |
| Denmark | 1985 |
| Estonia | 2001 |
| Finland | 1985 |
| France | 1985 |
| Germany | 1985 |
| Greece | 1985 |
| Hungary | 1992 |
| Iceland | 1986 |
| Ireland | 1985 |
| Israel | 2000 |
| Italy | 1985 |
| Latvia | 2000 |
| Lithuania | 1999 |
| Luxembourg | 1985 |
| The Netherlands | 1985 |
| Norway | 1985 |
| Poland | 1985 |
| Portugal | 1985 |
| Romania | 1997 |
| Russian Federation | 1993 |
| Serbia and Montenegro | 2002 |
| Slovak Republic | 2001 |
| Slovenia | 1994 |
| Spain | 1985 |
| Sweden | 1985 |
| Switzerland | 1985 |
| Turkey | 1985 |
| United Kingdom | 1985 |
| European Union | 1985 |
| NIP Member | |
| Albania | |
| Bulgaria | |
| Ukraine | |
| Associate Country | |
| Morocco | |
HISTORY
EUREKA was established in 1985 by 17 countries and the European Union to encourage a bottom-up approach to technological development and to strengthen the competitive position of European companies on the world market.
MAIN HIGHLIGHTS
- 1985-1988
- Establishment of procedures and infrastructure Growth of network to include all of Western Europe and Turkey. Project Generation 1985-1988 = 221 new projects
- 1989-1995
- Opening to Central and Eastern Europe Lillehammer Award created – 1st winner E!160 FERMSEP. Project Generation 1989-1995 = 887 new projects
- 1996-2001
- Responding to Globalisation Introduction of guidelines for Cluster projects Lynx Award created - 1st winner Coheris. Project Generation 1996-2001= 999 new projects + 3 clusters
- 2002
- Shaping the European Research Area Inventory of national evaluation procedures Project Generation 2002 = 171 new projects including 2 umbrellas
- 2003
- Reaching a common understanding on the quality of EUREKA projects. Increasing the efficiency of EUREKA's organisation and decision making. Proposing an 'ERA' pilot project in biotechnology "New Safer Medicines Faster". Project Generation 2003 = 168 new projects including 1 umbrella
- 2004
- Working towards the 3% objective. Supporting SMEs through an agreement with the European network of business angels, BUSANET. Improving EUREKA's decision-making procedures (unanimity replaced by qualified majority). Project Generation 2004 = 206 new projects + 6 Cluster
