Croatian Innovation Policy Regarding European Commission Framework Programmes

Abstract

The importance of Innovation policy has been long ago recognized in more developed, knowledge-based economies because it is the main strategic mean of accomplishing competitiveness of one nation, and therefore, maintenance and stimulation of its economic growth. Fundamental aim of European Union is to stimulate scientific excellence and enable the transfer of knowledge and results of scientific discoveries to industry, business and academic society in order to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy. The level of inventiveness of Republic of Croatia is unsatisfactory, investments into science, research and technological development are inadequate and therefore do not enable progressive movements, and life-long learning, as an important aspect of human resources development, has been almost completely neglected. In order to create the knowledge-based society, as fundamental assumption for the nation's competitiveness, the first steps for encouragement of national innovational system were taken at the end of '90s with the launching of the first technological-innovational centres in Croatia. Successful participation in the European technology programme EUREKA, the Croatian Programme for Innovative Technological Development (HITRA), as well as the participation in the Sixth Framework Programme, made the greater impact on Croatian innovation policy, Participation in European Commission projects, where Croatia is one of the most successful transition countries in terms of return over investment ratio, confirms the excellence and competitiveness of Croatian scientists on the European level. Today, with full membership in European Commission Framework Programmes and activities in the areas of science, research and innovation, Croatia is an active participant of European Research Area, building the path towards the knowledge-based society.

Keywords: innovation policy, scientific and technological development, knowledge-based society, European Commission Framework Programmes