Growth, employment and competitiveness are major challenges for Europe and are central elements of the Lisbon strategy which in its renewed form calls for the delivery of "stronger, lasting growth and the creation of more and better jobs" while respecting and promoting social and environmental objectives. Further development and completion of the Single Market are key to achieving the aims of higher growth and employment.
In addressing these challenges, Europe is faced with a number of challenges and opportunities stemming from intensified globalisation, emerging dynamic growth regions, continuous structural change, the EUs enlargement process, demographic changes, etc, each influencing Europes ability to achieve the Lisbon goals and affecting its socio-economic stability.
The internationalisation of innovation activities, the impact of demographic changes, the interaction between knowledge and human capital, the increasing role of culture and creativity, the role of the services sector and the globalisation of economic activities are major factors of change for the European economy. Policy interaction and coordination are essential in order to enable Europe to approach its challenges and meet the Lisbon objectives. Problem-oriented and policy-relevant research on these questions is needed.
The capacity to study growth, employment and competitiveness, and the relevant phenomena described in this work programme, depends on quantitative and qualitative methods, data and other resources. European researchers should play the leading role, but their research could be enhanced by the participation of research teams from non-European countries, which are encouraged to participate.
Research may draw on specific disciplines, notably economics, or involve interdisciplinary teams and perspectives as appropriate, with a view to drawing solid conclusions about the implications for national and EU policies. Policy oriented research could also be undertaken through research on quantitative and qualitative methods.
Humanities researchers are invited to actively contribute to all activities / areas / topics of this programme, even beyond their specific areas of expertise. Humanities scholars should also endeavour to usefully integrate in most trans-national consortia that will deal with collaborative projects in all areas and in particular in those with a predominantly socio-economic profile, in order to bring to bear their particular insights and expertise. The Commission will step up efforts in the coming years towards the Humanities' communities in Europe, to support a better understanding of the FP mechanisms, objectives and priorities by these communities through specific studies, workshops and other positive actions.
