The future of cooperation in Europe for innovative SMEs was discussed in the organization attended by representatives of nearly 30 countries and representatives of the Eureka Secretariat, led by İsmail Doğan, Eureka Chairperson and Vice President of TÜBİTAK. Afterwards, the Eureka "World Cafe" Workshop was organized for the first time within the scope of Eureka meetings. In this context, alternative financing sources for SMEs were discussed.
During the second Eureka network meetings held under Turkish Chairship, national project coordinators and high-level country representatives sessions were held. During the sessions, ideas that would make the support provided by the Eureka international network to innovative companies more effective were discussed. In addition,bilateral meetings were held with representatives of the participating countries.
Studies will lead to innovative solutions for disaster relief and resilience
In meetings; increasing the impact of the projects carried out by SMEs within the scope of Eurostars, one of Eureka's funding programs, expanding the participation of countries in Eureka projects, and bringing Brazil's associate membership process to Eureka to the signing stage were among the agenda items.
Regulations regarding the Eureka Disaster Resilience Call, which will be opened in 2024 within the scope of Turkish Chairship, were also discussed. In the session, it was decided to launcha Eureka Network Projects Call by conducting studies on how to support the preparation, response and recovery processes against natural or global human-made disasters, which occur quite frequently in our country.
Stating that Eureka is the world's largest public R&D and innovation network and that Türkiye is the Chair for the 3rd time, Eureka Chair and Vice President of TÜBİTAK Mr. İsmail Doğan expressed , “At the network meeting in Izmir, critical technologies such as quantum and light material technologies will be discussed.” We discuss the issues shaping the calls to be supported by Eureka in the coming period. "We are making plans to include companies and R&D centers in our country, especially our SMEs, on these issues." he said.
Stating that a Global Innovation Summit will be held right after the third Eureka Network Meeting under Turkish Chairship, to be hosted in Istanbul in June2024, following the second network meeting held in Izmir, Doğan said, "After the Global Innovation Summit we will organize in June, we will hand over the Chairship to the German-Canada Co-Chair at the end of June." "We will have handed it over." said.
About Eureka
Eureka is known as an important international cooperation platform established to encourage the research and development of advanced technologies, products, processes and services that will increase the competitiveness of industrial and research organizations in European countries in the world markets, and the creation and execution of joint projects between countries.
Eureka was founded in 1985 by 18 European countries, including Türkiye, and the EU Commission. Over time, as the influence and functionality of the Eureka network increased, the number of members increased to 47, with countries such as Canada, South Korea and Singapore joining the network.
Türkiye served as the Eureka Term Presidency for two terms, between 1998-1999 and 2012-2013.
Türkiye's Activities within the Scope of Eureka
Türkiye, which has been actively operating in Eureka since 1985 and whose participation has increased relatively compared to other countries of the Eureka Network in recent years, has participated in the Eureka Network between 2008 and 2023. 1746 project with Turkish partners have been completed or still running. With this number of projects, Türkiye ranks ninth most active country among all Eureka member countries.
