The CDTI Innovation and the Basque Government hold the sixth meeting of the Joint Commission to follow up their collaboration agreement in Bilbao
The meeting has made it possible to analyze the evolution of collaboration in the field of R+D+I, strengthen coordination between both administrations and define new lines of action to continue promoting business innovation
The CDTI Innovation and the Basque Government held in Bilbao, at the headquarters of the SPRI Group, the Basque Business Development Agency, the sixth meeting of the Joint Commission to follow up the Convention for the Promotion of Innovation and Technological Development in this autonomous community. This collaboration instrument, whose institutional relationship dates back to 2007 and was renewed in 2020, makes it possible to strengthen coordination between the two administrations in terms of R+D+i support.
During the meeting, a joint analysis was made of the evolution of the main activity indicators, as well as the impact of the instruments to support innovation in the Basque business and technological fabric, highlighting the solidity and maturity of its ecosystem.
At the national level, the Basque Country maintains a high level of activity in R+D+i projects supported by the CDTI Innovation, with a significant volume of approved operations and a growing role in strategic programs such as Misiones Ciencia e Innovación or the Cervera Network. This dynamism reflects the strong involvement of the Basque business and technological fabric in the instruments supporting innovation and its ability to develop high added value projects.
In this sense, Innovative Public Procurement (CPI), and in particular Pre-Commercial Public Procurement, is a strategic tool to promote innovation from the public sector by contracting R&D services aimed at responding to public needs. Although there are currently no specific agreements with administrations of the Basque Country, the participation of Basque companies in various tenders promoted by the CDTI Innovation stands out. In this context, the participation of these companies in the current tenders could reach, if all their phases are completed, a significant potential volume of procurement.
At the international level, the active participation of Basque entities in the main technological cooperation programs was highlighted, as well as their positioning in consortiums of high scientific and technological level. This international projection is a key element to strengthen the competitiveness of the ecosystem and facilitate access to frontier knowledge, collaborative networks and technological development opportunities.
In particular, the participation of the Basque Country in the Horizon Europe programme continues to show very positive and stable results in the European context. To date, Basque entities have registered about 7,000 participations in proposals, of which more than 1,500 have been approved, with a success rate of 21.8%, higher than the national average. Likewise, the return obtained by this Autonomous Community represents 12.43% of the national total, maintaining a prominent position. These results reflect a highly competitive ecosystem, with a particularly relevant role for technology centers, which lead the way in attracting European funds, partially compensating for the lower business participation compared to previous periods .
The CDTI Innovation plays a key role in the dynamization of international participation, facilitating the access of Spanish entities to European and multilateral programs and providing specialized advice. This work is complemented by an intense promotion and dissemination activity in the territory, as well as the continuous exchange of information with the regional authorities.
Future lines of action
For the next period, both institutions have agreed to continue strengthening coordination in the promotion of instruments to support R&D&I, encourage the participation of companies in international programs and continue promoting strategic initiatives such as Innovative Public Procurement.
Likewise, work will continue on the exchange of information on funded projects, on advising entities and on identifying opportunities for collaboration that contribute to maximize the impact of innovation policies in the territory.
The meeting highlighted the importance of institutional collaboration as a key element to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems and improve the positioning of Spain in the main international R+D+I programs.
CDTI Innovation
The Center for Technological Development and Innovation, CDTI E.P.E. It is the innovation agency of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, whose objective is the promotion of technological innovation in the business environment. The mission of the CDTI is to ensure that the Spanish business fabric generates and transforms scientific and technical knowledge into globally competitive, sustainable and inclusive growth. In 2025, within the framework of the Strategic Plan 2024-2027, the CDTI provided more than 2 billion euros of support to Spanish companies and startups.
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