5/98 Earth Observation Feedback from a Small Planet \ ι % ( El Niño: havoc in the world's climate ? O í Innovation in Europe's regions · A step change for photovoltaics • New materials for old buildings · Videotelephony ... and more PUBLISHED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION INNOVATION PROGRAMME · SEPTEMBER 1998 CONTENTS ΤίΙίΓΠ'Α Innovative Regions Bio-Zentrum, page 5 The re-orientation of the next phase of the Structural Funds (2000-2006) towards a greater emphasis on promoting innovation is welcome news, as it is exactly what the Policy News Innovation Action Plan called for. 3-5 • Marrying innovation and regional support The Plan, for example, specifically mentioned the Structur• Conference: listening to the jobmakers al Funds and the Framework Programme for Research and Development when calling on the Commission to lead by Innovation Programme News 6-11 example and mobilise its own instruments. Hence it is heartening to see the level of coordination between the Innova• IPR Helpdesk launched tion Programme and the Structural Funds administration in • IRC case study: funding regional innovation projects - the so-called photo-voltaics made simple RITTS/RIS projects.