INNO INDIGO implemented a coordinated funding scheme for Indo-European cooperation projects in the field of research and innovation. The realisation that innovation is, on one hand an engine for growth, employment, and competitiveness; and on the other, a driving force when tackling global challenges, constituted the basis of INNO INDIGO activities. Considering the steps already taken towards sustainable cooperation between research institutions from the European Research Area and the Indian partner organisations under the predecessor project New INDIGO, INNO INDIGO aimed at “Bringing ideas – developed through collaboration – to market”. INNO INDIGO was chosen as the name for the new ERA-Net with India in order to refer to the continuation of the existing fruitful EU-India cooperation, and by tweaking the name slightly to stress on its innovation and application oriented aspects.
It is of great importance to understand the needs of the Indian and European markets in order to set up joint initiatives that strengthen the European-Indian STI collaboration. This was done through the involvement of industries and clusters of excellence, and regions as important funding partners with strong links to the regional industry on both sides (Europe and India).
Another central aspect was the continuation of the collaboration beyond the lifetime of the ERA-Net. There were different approaches to be considered in order to pave way for the collaboration and in order to draft a strategy document for a joint call; running after the lifetime of INNO INDIGO.
Combining the European and Indian key aspects of innovation, INNO INDIGO dealt with three types of innovation:
- Business driven Innovation for boosting competitiveness
- Social innovation covering societal challenges and needs
- Inclusive innovation targeting the Indian social challenges and needs, and opening new ways of collaboration
All three types of innovation were addressed by the project’s support actions.
