The Laboratory of Industrial and Energy Economics (LIEE) of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) organized a conference in the context of the completion of the research project “Greek Participation in European Research Networks and its Impact on Innovation and Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurship” (NETonKIE). The Conference was held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 11:30 – 19:00, in the Multimedia Amphitheater of the NTUA Library.

The main results of the research Project were presented at the Conference, followed by a series of organized discussions (panels) with various types of institutions (universities, research centers and businesses) participating in European research programs and policy actors. The Workshop was a great success, producing a constructive discussion and exchange of ideas that will further feed into the synthesis of the conclusions of the research Project and related policy proposals. Professor Kostas Charitidis, a member of the Scientific Council and Professor of the NTUA, participated in the Workshop on behalf of HFRI.

More specifically, the first session of the Conference was dedicated to the presentation of the main findings of the NETonKIE research project, focusing on three axes of the Project’s results. Data highlighting Greece’s remarkable presence in European research programs was initially presented. Then, the results of an extensive field survey conducted among companies, university research groups and research centers were presented, focusing on the motivations and factors influencing the participation of these entities in the Horizon 2020 Program, as well as the impact of this participation in terms of scientific-technological results, innovation and economic performance of companies, networking and contribution to addressing environmental/social challenges. Finally, the third results axis focused on the features, role in programs, and networking achieved by start-ups participating in European research programs, especially Horizon 2020.

Next, the first discussion focused on the expectations and benefits of start-ups from their participation in the European Research Framework Programs. Co-founders and executives of five start-ups participated. Among other things, the discussion focused on the main incentives for companies to participate in the Framework Programs, the extent to which such participation contributes to their further business development, and the obstacles or difficulties they face when participating.

The second discussion concerned established enterprises and whether the Framework Programs are a lever to support their innovation and technological upgrading. Four executives (mainly R&I Managers) from both large and smaller Greek companies participated in the discussion and spoke about how participation in European research programs is integrated into the company’s business strategy, the benefits it reaps in terms of innovation and technological upgrading, as well as the conditions for the company to exploit the innovation developed in the context of the projects.

The third discussion topic was the importance of Framework Programs for the research activity of Universities and Research Centers. Participants included heads of research teams with significant participation in these programs, who were asked to analyze the main reasons why they chose to participate in European research programs, the main benefits of their team’s participation in these programs, and the comparative advantages (or disadvantages) of European research programs compared to national research funding programs.

The fourth discussion was on public policies and business strategies to make better use of European research programs. Participants included people who have or have had an institutional role in research, technology and innovation. The discussion focused on how to increase the impact of European research programs in the country in terms of enhancing innovation and business competitiveness, improving the services of public institutions and other institutions of public interest, and addressing social and environmental challenges, as well as on how to strengthen the participation of Greek actors in these programs.

The Research Project is supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HFRI) within the framework of the Action “1st Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support Faculty Members and Researchers and the Procurement of High-value Research Equipment.”

Photographs of the Conference can be found here

Related files

Press release

Program of the Day