Europe 2020
Investment in research, development, education and skills is one of the European Union’s central policy areas. These key areas are essential to economic growth and to the development of the knowledge-based economy. The Europe 2020 strategy sets out a vision of Europe's social market economy for the 21st century. It aims to turn the EU into a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy that delivers high levels of employment, productivity and social cohesion. Innovation is a motor for economic progress: it is therefore a key element of Europe 2020.
Europe 2020 puts forward three priorities that go together and reinforce each other:
smart growth: developing an economy based on knowledge and innovation;
sustainable growth: promoting a more resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy;
inclusive growth: fostering a high-employment economy, delivering social and geographical cohesion.
