"An Example of Effective Cooperation" - Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn

25 November 2011

DUBLIN - 24 November. European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn has today (24 November) delivered a strong endorsement of the ‘Factories of the Future’ Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

Speaking at the Irish trade union SIPTU conference ‘Innovation in Manufacturing – A Driver for Jobs and Growth’, the Commissioner stated that the “Factories of the Future’ PPP is “an excellent example of effective co-operation between industry and the public sector"

Further elaborating on the ‘Factories of the Future’ PPP, the Commissioner emphasised the important role that this PPP has in developing a more sustainable industrial environment, competitiveness and higher employment in better quality jobs.

EFFRA Research Programme Manager, Chris Decubber, and EFFRA Communications Advisor, Patrick Kennedy, took part in this event with Mr Decubber delivering a key presentation on the ‘Factories of the Future’ PPP and EFFRA.

“We welcome the strong and continued support provided by the Commissioner and the European Commission to the ‘Factories of the Future’ PPP, we hope that this successful programme will continue under Horizon 2020 and we are actively engaged in the development of a new research roadmap that looks beyond 2013 and the close of FP-7” Mr Decubber stated.

The Horizon 2020 proposal will be published by the Commission on 30 November 2011. Click here for more information. This proposal centres on an investment of €80 billion in support funding for research, development and innovation in Europe.

A copy of the Commissioner’s speech is available here.