First meeting of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Governing Board, Budapest - Main contents

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) marks the launch of its activities with the first meeting of its recently appointed Governing Board. The meeting, which takes place at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest, will be attended by Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány, Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth Ján Figel' and other high-level personalities.

After a ceremonial opening, the Governing Board – which is the EIT's independent decision-making body – will meet for a working session. On the agenda are important decisions determining the EIT's operation as well as first steps towards the selection of the first 2-3 Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) by early 2010.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology is an initiative of the Barroso Commission which aims to foster excellence in European innovation. It is based on a novel concept: by pooling together the very best scientific, business and education resources Europe-wide, the EIT will generate highly integrated partnerships – the so-called Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) – and will facilitate the free flow of knowledge between innovation actors. In doing so, the EIT will create new opportunities for businesses, researchers and students, thereby helping to boost growth and jobs in Europe.

The EIT will be steered by the Governing Board, which is fully independent and autonomous in its decision-making. The Board's 18 high-level members, coming from the worlds of business, higher education and research, all have a track record in top-level innovation. They will be responsible for guiding the EIT's strategic orientation and for the selection, monitoring and evaluation of the KICs.

Ceremonial opening of the first meeting of the EIT Governing Board in the presence of Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány, Commission President José Manuel Barroso, and Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth Ján Figel'. Press conference at 12:00 (TBC) in the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Reading Room.

Accreditation: Journalists can accredit by sending an email to the following address: somogyi.orsolya@meh.hu starting from Monday the 8^th of September. They have to give their name, media, the type and the number of their press card.

• - 

  EbS coverage

MEMO/08/153 - The EIT: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

EIT website:

http://eit.europa.eu

President Barroso's website:

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/president/index_en.htm

CommissionerFigel's website:

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/figel/index_en.htm

• - 

  Infoclip I-044417: Research: Investment

John MacDonald +32 2 295 52 67 john.macdonald@ec.europa.eu

Sophie Andersson +32 2 295 02 08 sophie.andersson@ec.europa.eu

The European Commission is the executive body of the EU and runs its day-to-day business. It is made up of the College of Commissioners, 27 European Commissioners, one for each member state, who are each responsible for one or several policy areas. In addition, the 'Commission' also refers to the entire administrative body that supports the Commissioners, consisting of the Directorates-General and the Services.

The European Commission is the sole EU body capable of proposing new legislation. The Commission also performs an oversight function, monitoring whether European legislation is properly implemented in the member states. In the event of non-compliance, the Commission can coerce a member state to comply by starting a legal procedure at the European Court of Justice.