Brussels, 22 July 2009

EurActiv, the independent media portal specialised in EU affairs, is next week running special week coverage of Europe’s efforts to embrace innovation as a solution to the ongoing economic downturn.

The special coverage will run from Monday 27 July until Friday 31 July, and will centre on areas where Europe can lead: green jobs, ICT and alternative energy, amongst others. The ongoing debate on the post-2010 Lisbon Agenda will also come into focus with a detailed examination of how the EU’s innovation roadmap is evolving.

Ján Figel', Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth said: “The European Year for Creativity and Innovation 2009 is about encouraging Europeans to unleash their innate creativity, to fulfil their potential in all fields. Apart from helping individual's personal sense of fulfilment, this is also vital for the sustainability of Europe's recovery from the worst economic and financial crisis in living memory. In this light, I very much welcome the Special Week that EurActiv is devoting to 'R&D and Innovation', and its special emphasis on the role of innovation in the current crisis.”

Christophe Leclercq, EurActiv Publisher, said: “A number of important EU initiatives will feed public debate in the coming weeks and months, and hopefully converge into shaping the priorities for the 2009 to 2014 period. This includes the upcoming innovation package, coordinated by DG Enterprise; the Manifesto resulting from the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, coordinated by DG Education and Culture; and – last but not least – the Commission consultation from September on replacing the Lisbon Agenda, coordinated by the Commission’s Secretariat General. EurActiv’s Special Week contributes to engaging stakeholders, and discussing a way out of the crisis building on innovation & research.”

EurActiv has several policy sections relevant to the future of research, innovation and competitiveness. These include two ‘CrossLingual sections’ (with coverage in its 10 country network and localisation in 10 languages):

- Innovation & Creativity (official media channel for the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009)

- Enterprise and Jobs

- Science & Research

Media contacts:

Frédéric Simon, Editor - Tel. +32 2 788 36 78, editor2@euractiv.com

Rick Zedník, CEO - Tel. +32 2 226 58 12, CEO@euractiv.com

Ross Melzer, Public Affairs Director - Tel. +32 2 226 58 17, publicaffairs@euractiv.com

Christophe Leclercq, Publisher - Tel. +32 2 226 58 13, publisher@euractiv.com