European Design Innovation Platform: Call for proposals [closed]

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Ljubljana, May 10th, 2013- Call for proposal for European design innovation platform acknowledges that design is a key discipline and activity to bring ideas to the market, transforming them into user-friendly and appealing products or services.

The published call recognises that design applied to services, systems and organisations and especially, user-centred design thinking drives business model innovation, organisational innovation and other forms of non-technological innovation. These methodologies may also be instrumental in strategic policy decision making processes, when addressing complex and systemic challenges.

Context

The Innovation Union Europe’s 2020 flagship initiative recognizes the importance of capitalising on Europe’s creative potential and in the particular the role of design as a key discipline to bring ideas to the market. In line with the commitment taken in the Innovation Union strategy, the European Design Innovation Initiative was launched in 2011 to exploit the full potential of design-driven innovation and to reinforce the link between design, innovation and competitiveness.

The policy recommendations of the European Design Leadership Board address six areas for strategic action:

• Differentiating European design on the global stage;
• Positioning design within the European innovation system;
• Design for innovative and competitive enterprises;
• Design for an innovative public sector
• Positioning design research for the 21st century;
• Design competencies for the 21st century.

Objective of the call

To accelerate the take-up of design in innovation policies at European, national and regional levels and to promote the increased use of design in European industry as well as in the public sector to promote value creation, competitiveness and efficient use of resources. A special emphasis is put on closing the divide between the advanced regions and those lagging behind in applying design-driven innovation.

Expected outputs

From increased awareness, better access to information, circulation of experiences, competencies, capacities for SMEs, interaction and co-laboration, increased use in public services and administration, spill over effects and continuous dialogue among stakeholders (incl. European Comission) of design driven innovation.

Co-financed activities

Proposed structure (respondents to this call are welcome to design a project structure that differs from the one below):

1. Work package on advocating design-driven innovation
2. Work package on information and web platform
3. Work package on supporting the improvement of design capabilities in enterprises
4. Work package on supporting the design capabilities in the public sector

The web-based platform mentioned in the second work package is considered crucial for the successful delivery of this project.

Key characteristics

Max. reimbursement rate of eligible costs: 75 %
Indicative number of projects: 1 project
Maximum duration: 36 months
Maximum EU financing amount per project: 2,850,000 €
Consortium members: must be based in at least 3 different states from the list of eligible applicants

Consortium Composition

• At least one consortium partner has a solid knowledge of and experience in the user-centred and non-technological innovation support policies and measures, in particular with a focus on design-driven innovation.
• At least one consortium partner has a solid knowledge of and experience in support services for businesses to apply design-driven innovation.
• At least one consortium partner has a solid knowledge of and experience in support services for public sector organisations to apply design-driven innovation.
• All participating bodies have the necessary expertise and resources to carry out the proposed activities.
• The project coordinator has a proven experience in animating and steering multi-national consortium of the relevant size.

The deadline for submission of proposals

02/07/2013 17:00:00 Brussels local time.

SOURCE: ROBERTO VERGANTI

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