Innovation and Growth: Rationale for Participatory Research in R&D Projects

Suggested Bibliographic Reference: Challenging New Frontiers in the Global Seafood Sector: Proceedings of the Eighteenth Biennial Conference of the International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade, July 11-15, 2016. Compiled by Stefani J. Evers and Ann L. Shriver. International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade (IIFET), Corvallis, 2016.Proceedings of the Eighteenth Biennial Conference of the International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade, held July 11-15, 2016 at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Center (AECC), Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.The agrofood sector is the first activity of the manufacturing industry in Europe, representing 14.6% of the total revenue and a value of more than € 1,048,000 mill. in 2014. Nevertheless, this economic subbranch is characterised by lower investment in R&D,the 0.53% level in 2009, than food and manufacturing industries elsewhere in the world. In order to shift this trend, EU and European countries are promoting research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation based on the collaboration among public and private sectors. The participatory approaches allow to address past failures, for instance the overlooking of societal preferences that may result in barriers to innovation e.g. genetically modified foods. The main instrument to address this approach in EU is the Horizon 2020 research programme, which, coupling research and innovation, seeks for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs whilst supports the achievement on excellent science, industrial leadership and tackling societal challenges. To succeed, the stakeholder engagement is encouraged along the projects' lifetime advancing and strengthening the economic and social conditions through the application of social innovation techniques obtaining relevant and participatory research outcomes. In particular, insights into FP7 and H2020 projects will exemplify this philosophy being the catalyst by promoting the creation of shared value through European seafood agents and enabling conditions into a sustainable seafood trade