Outriders for European competitiveness - European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs) as a tool for systemic C : report of the Independent Expert Group

Innovation is at the heart of the Europe 2020 Strategy. Under this strategy and its Innovation Union flagship initiative, European Innovation Partnerships were launched as a new approach to EU research and innovation by being challenge driven, acting across the whole research and innovation chain, and by streamlining, simplifying and better coordinating existing instruments and initiatives. Since 2011, five EIPs have been launched to accelerate research, development and market deployment of innovations to tackle major societal challenges, pool expertise and resources and boost the competitiveness of EU industry. The EIPs address 'Active and Healthy Ageing', 'Water', 'Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability', 'Raw Materials', and 'Smart Cities and Communities'. This report presents the results of the review carried out by an independent expert group during 2013 to assess progress and evaluate the overall performance of the EIPs. It does not assess the results of individual EIPs which will be the subject of specific arrangements under each EIP.