EUKN - Netherlands - Lisbon strategy: competitiveness and knowledge economy

Lisbon strategy: competitiveness and knowledge economy

Introduction

The strategic goal for 2010 is to make the European economy the world's most competitive and dynamic knowledge economy. This, it is argued, will produce sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.

Description

European Commission document to enhance public access to information about the European Regional Development Fund. In fact, the European Union's regional and social policies are its principal instruments for delivering the Lisbon and Gothenburg agendas.

The strategy initially consisted of economic and social ambitions, but environmental goals were added during the European council's meeting in Gothenburg in 2001. The aim is to encourage sustainable development through the concerted exercise of economic, social and environmental policy.

The principal themes of this integrated strategy are:

permanent education;
social inclusion;
environmental protection;
information and communication technology, ICT;
employment;
innovation and business climate.

Implementation of the strategy is by the open coordination method. This 'soft' way of developing, implementing and monitoring policy entails EU member states comparing their progress in the areas of the Lisbon strategy, exchanging good practices, and together evaluating the implementation. Every spring, the European Council meets to discuss overall progress and set out guidelines for the realisation of the strategic goals.

Publication date

24/03/2000

Links

European Commission - Growth and Jobs

Innovation policy: updating the Union’s approach in the context of the Lisbon strategy (PDF, Eng, 230 KB)

Time to Choose - Knowledge economy monitor (PDF, Eng, 2.5 MB)

From Lisbon to Gothenburg (PDF, Eng, 6.5 MB)

Delivering Lisbon: Reforms for the enlarged Union (PDF; Eng, 855 KB)

Document type

policy

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Keywords

Competitiveness