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Sustainable development goals in the research and innovation policy of the European Union

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  • Kastrinos, Nikos
  • Weber, K. Matthias

Abstract

Leading the world towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is an ambition of the European Union (EU) and an important objective of the European Commission's proposal for Horizon Europe: the EU framework programme for Research and Innovation (R&I) 2021–2027. The new orientation of the framework programme requires a new sustainability-oriented thematic agenda and a new approach to governance. Following the perspective of transition management, the paper argues that i) the success of EU R&I policy in its pursuit of SDGs will depend on the reflexivity of its governance, and ii) that foresight can build reflexivity into the governance of EU R&I policy. The paper provides insights in the shaping of Horizon Europe through the BOHEMIA project, a major foresight exercise that supported the preparation of the Commission proposal. The BOHEMIA project aimed at strengthening reflexivity in the policy preparation process and provided advice on both governance and potential thematic orientations for Horizon Europe. Its influence on the proposal and the extent, to which future oriented-reflexivity will characterize the implementation of Horizon Europe, can be seen as precursors of the prospects of the policy to contribute to sustainability transitions in Europe and the world.

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  • Kastrinos, Nikos & Weber, K. Matthias, 2020. "Sustainable development goals in the research and innovation policy of the European Union," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:157:y:2020:i:c:s004016251930705x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120056
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    2. Wang, Kai-Hua & Zhao, Yan-Xin & Jiang, Cui-Feng & Li, Zheng-Zheng, 2022. "Does green finance inspire sustainable development? Evidence from a global perspective," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 412-426.
    3. Elena Calvo-Gallardo & Nieves Arranz & Juan Carlos Fernandez de Arroyabe, 2022. "Contribution of the Horizon2020 Program to the Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialization in Coal Regions in Transition: The Spanish Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-28, February.
    4. Christoph Kayser & Henning Zülch, 2024. "Understanding the Relevance of Sustainability in Mergers and Acquisitions—A Systematic Literature Review on Sustainability and Its Implications throughout Deal Stages," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-44, January.
    5. Ivan Novak, 2020. "Comparative analysis of innovation performance of European Union countries," Notitia - journal for economic, business and social issues, Notitia Ltd., vol. 1(6), pages 1-11, December.
    6. Belmonte-Ureña, Luis Jesús & Plaza-Úbeda, José Antonio & Vazquez-Brust, Diego & Yakovleva, Natalia, 2021. "Circular economy, degrowth and green growth as pathways for research on sustainable development goals: A global analysis and future agenda," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
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