EUREKA ISRAELI CHAIRMANSHIP

The EUREKA Chairmanship rotates between member countries on a yearly basis and each mandate runs from July to June the following year. It implements the three-year rolling programme of the Initiative in cooperation with the previous and future Chairs (known as the ‘Troika’).

The Chair represents EUREKA externally. It agrees with the EUREKA Secretariat (ESE) the level of support this latter should provide to the Chair and incorporates this into the ESE’s business plan. The role of the Chair is to sustain the momentum of the work of EUREKA.


> Promoting a Culture of Innovation:

In 2010-2011, Israel assumes the Chairmanship of EUREKA. Israel’s appointment reflects the significant contribution of Israeli academia and industry to innovation, and the robust participation and leadership of Israeli companies in EUREKA projects.

Inheritating 25 years of EUREKA innovation, the Israeli Chairmanship will focus on intensifying interest and value in the EUREKA platform. it will strive to position EUREKA as a key industrial innovation platform in the European Research Area.

> Priorities of the Israeli Chairmanship:

Improving innovation support services to industrial members, start-up firms, R&D companies and key staekholders by developing partnerships and alliances.

To incorporate new financing models to motivate investment in predominant EUREKA projects.

Working in hand with EUREKA strategic instruments primarly the EUREKA Clusters to contend with Grand Challenges in fields such as climate change, security, energy and environment.

To develop a continuation scheme for Eurostars through enhanced collaboration with network members, the European Commission and the ESE.

Expanding  global cooperation strategy, implementing international cooperation with new countries and networks.

> Some key events:

Brussels > Israeli EUREKA Chairmanship Day at the European Parliament

12- 13 July, 2010

A Cluture of Innovation: the Israeli Chairmanship commences with a focus on EUREKA as Europe's foremost innovation platform. Israeli models of technological breakthrough will be discussed.

Tel Aviv - Yafo > Meeting of the High Level Group and National Project Coordinators

26-28 October, 2010

Global Challenges and Strategic Goals: The Israeli Chairmanship will present its work plan, and appoints working groups to contend with global challenges.

Eilat > Meeting of the High Level Group and National Project Coordinators

22- 24 February, 2011

A Focus on Cleantech: Israeli green technology initatives welcome European participation, as Cleantech firms join forces to advise EUREKA priorities in the field.

Haifa - Nazareth > Meeting of the High Level Group and National Project Coordinators

5- 7 April, 2011

Promoting Coexistence: In mixed Jewish-Muslim-Chrisitian cities, R&D reveals itself as a means of coexitence and promoting peripheral industry. Local and regional case studies of R&D collaboration are presented.

Jerusalem > Inter-Parliamentarian Conference

31 May, 2011

Legislators, Journalists and Academics: Israeli and European parliamentarians meet in the Knesset to deliberate means of bolstering EUREKA projects. The forum discusses the roles of academia and venture capital in transferring innovation to business.

Jerusalem > Meeting of the High Level Group and National Project Coordinators

21- 23 June, 2011

Financial Innovation: Targeting a key Israeli Chairmanship goal, EUREKA advances new and innovative financing instruments for its projects, based on successful Israeli models.

Jerusalem > 25 Years of EUREKA

June, 2011

Reaching a Summit: Israeli leaders host European political leaders, key industrialists, investors and some of the world's leading scientists at celebratory summit meeting in honor of EUREKA's 25th anniversary.