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Linking Europe's Innovators |
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Europe's innovators are coming together. Through the Association for Technology Implementation in Europe (TAFTIE), a group of 15 organisations from 14 countries, national technological innovation organisations can cooperate with and learn from one another. This also assists their customers in forming international partnerships. TAFTIE's membership is made up of organisations which have responsibility at national level for their country's national innovation programmes. The Association allows the national organisations to learn best practice from an analysis of how other member organisations run their affairs. It also enables them to co-operate at a European level. If European industry is to compete in the new millennium then Europe's undoubted talent in high-technology must be fully exploited. The continent's very large number of highly talented companies and research institutes must overcome the barriers between them and learn to work together. Flexible, innovative and fast-developing small and medium sized enterprises, stand to benefit most from international partnerships. TAFTIE is developing mechanisms which will make it easier for European industry, particularly SME's to pursue international innovative projects. The members of TAFTIE are:
These organisations play a major role in implementing their own countrie's technology policies and programmes. Bringing these organisations together through TAFTIE allows them to cater more efficiently to the international needs of their customers. The Association engages in two types of activity. These are:
The main purpose of TAFTIE is to encourage international co-operation between its member organisations and to assist companies' participation in international innovation and R and D projects. It is particularly keen to encourage SME's to take part in such projects. There are several European programmes designed to foster international high- technology collaboration. Member organisations can guide companies and research institutes to the most appropriate Programme. These programmes include EUREKA, the EU's Framework Programme or the COST Programme. Through TAFTIE companies can be guided to the Programme best suited to their individual requirements. The association also allows national technology programmes to be strengthened and expanded at the international level.
Members of TAFTIE benefit from sharing their skills and expertise. This strengthens the national organisations and improves the quality of the service they can offer to their customers. Individual members assist each other in assessing their activities and in carrying out studies for cooperation in areas of technological innovation. 
TAFTIE is already making a tangible contribution. It organises and contributes to a number of international brokerage and information events which generate R & D projects and assist companies in forming international partnerships. It is developing new mechanisms to assist companies wishing to co-operate internationally. These mechanisms include the toolbox for organising investment fora, the guide for development and growth in SME's and the technology rating of projects among others. TAFTIE does not confine itself to individual projects. It is also addressing larger issues such as the diffusion and exploitation of technology.
If TAFTIE is to be effective, a constant dialogue with other organisations involved in technology development and innovation is essential. Internally, TAFTIE's member organisations decide on areas of mutual interest and pursue them for the benefit of all. Synergy is achieved by ensuring that activities are complementary, not duplicated. Externally, TAFTIE favours close links with the European Commission. This provides additional feedback. This exchange of information contributes to better informed policy implementation. It also leads to a close working relationship with the Commission in accordance with the subsidiary principle. In addition, working relationships with other organisations throughout the world will eventually be established. TAFTIE was registered in 1992 under French law and has its official seat in Paris. The Chairmanship rotates every year among members. The organisation holding the Chair provides a small secretariat to deal with the day-to-day operation of the Association. TAFTIE's Internal Structure The Board: A director is appointed from each member organisation. It is the decision making body. It meets at least once a year. It approves the accounts, the creation of new task forces and yearly operational plans. The Working Group: This includes delegates from every member. The Working Group creates proposals which are decided upon by the Board. It oversees the activities of the Task Forces and the Ad-Hoc Groups. Task Forces: The creation of Task Forces is subject to Board approval. Participation is Task Forces in voluntary. At least six member organisations must participate for a Task Force to be operational. They have defined objectives. A Task Force operates for a maximum of two years. It will report to the Board after the first year, refocus if necessary, and will deliver its results and conclusions at the end of the second year. Among the examples of recent task forces are "Bridging the Gap between Public and Private Financing", "Brokerage Events", "Guide for Development and Growth in SMEs", "Evaluation of Programmes", "Transparency on the Management of Regional, National and International Technology Innovation Programmes". Ad Hoc Groups: These are established by the Working Group or the Board. Participation is voluntary and there is no set minimum on the number of members involved. They are very focused on a specific subject and operate for a maximum of one year. Thematic Networks: The establishment of these is subject to Board approval and participation is voluntary. A minimum of four members must participate. One of these members must be the co-ordinator. Thematic Networks are derived from previous Task Forces or Ad-Hoc Groups. The objective of a Thematic Network is to achieve advances on a topic which does not require regular meetings but only voluntary co-ordination. This could include the comparison and standardisation of some of the activities of members. The chair rotates every year among members. For 1999 and 2000 the following member organisations have been appointed as chair:
TAFTIE Chairmanship are supported by the Assistant Secretariat: Prisma Consultancy B.V. |
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