On world creativity and innovation day, celebrated on April 21st, FEMISE and its researchers’ network gave some insights and analysis on the Mediterranean innovation context.

All researchers agree to say that the international context, economic competitiveness, and growth partly require innovation. “Innovation is actually the only sustainable way of competing in international markets,” states Przemyslaw KOWALSKI (CASE, FEMISE). He adds: “expert competition based on innovation and knowledge provides you with a better prospect of economic development and increasing standards of living”.

« A lot of potential can be unlocked if Med countries start really looking into what aspects they want to develop » states Maryse LOUIS, (ERF, FEMISE General Manager). She highlights how «as we celebrate the World Innovation and Creativity Day, we are reminded of the challenges that the South med Countries are facing to establish their innovation systems»: low funding of research and development, unclear laws on the IP, coordination between the different actors, the unfavourable private sector environment for Young entrepreneurs and for research, these are the common challenges to the region.

For the researcher Sonia Ben Slimane, «there is a necessity to invest in research and education systems», in order to «promote an innovative and creative culture». She delivers a set of recommendations, from a bigger conciliation between industries and education and research systems to intellectual property protection, not forgetting to mention the financial issue. Yomken is central to this question. Through what it calls «challenges», the Egyptian platform matches companies, NGOs and industries with «young people with creative and innovative ideas» Yomken founder Tamer Taha points out. The platform is managed from Cairo, in several countries.

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