10. Underlines that interventions targeting research and innovation should capitalise on regional assets and capacities and form part of a regional innovation strategy based on smart innovation; considers that such strategies require an enhanced role of regions and cities in the EU and national priority setting and implementation; calls therefore for consideration of the possibility of re-establishing innovative actions within the Structural Funds with a view to promote regional innovation strategies;

Consequently, between 2007 and 2013, EU cohesion policy tripled its financial allocation to RD and innovation compared to the previous programming period, earmarking more than €85 billion (almost 25% of the total) to these categories of expenditure, including the mainstreaming of innovative actions and experimentation.

– having regard to the report to the Commission by the independent group of experts on Research and Development led by Esko Aho entitled 'Creating an Innovative Europe' (January 2006), the final report of the European Research Advisory Board (ERAB) entitled 'Stimulating regional potential for research and innovation' (November 2005) and the Commission working document 'Innovative strategies and actions: results of 15 years of Regional Experimentation' (October 2006),

– having regard to the report to the Commission by the independent group of experts on RD led by Esko Aho entitled 'Creating an Innovative Europe' (January 2006), the final report of the European Research Advisory Board (ERAB) entitled 'Stimulating regional potential for research and innovation' (November 2005) and the Commission report 'Innovative strategies and actions: results of 15 years of regional experience' (October 2005),

The Commission appraises the programmes for part-financing on the basis of the following criteria: quality of the proposal (clarity and innovative nature of the strategic approach).potential influence on programmes under Objectives 1 and 2 (effect on modernisation and diversification of the regional economy, the creation of high-quality long-term jobs, sustainability); cooperation with the managing authorities for the main programmes under the ERDF.commitment and quality of the partnership (ability to enlist the public and private sector, quality of the information and consultation process).synergy with other EU policies and fields of C ...[+++]ommunity interest (research, information society, entrepreneurship, the environment, rural development, equal opportunities).

Key elements for the research part of these documents, as well as for the forthcoming operational programs, are well elaborated and ambitious strategies, such as from EU supported actions carried out by Regional Foresight and Innovative Actions, improved cooperation and coordination between public and private research, to look for result oriented research paving the way for innovation, and increasing research relevant investments from abroad.