Information society

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are critical components for the European economy and for innovation. ICT accounts for more than one quarter of the total European R&D efforts and plays a key role in economic growth and job creation.

The European society is moving towards an information society where ICT will play an increasingly important role with regard to human social and economic interactions. Furthermore, ICT contributes to the development of other sectors as more and more enterprises and people are becoming technologically minded.

The Commission launched an initiative on 1 June 2005, "i2010 – A European Information Society for growth and employment" as a framework for adressing the main challenges and developments within the information society and media sectors up to 2010.

Important topics include the creation of the single European Information Space, promoting an open and competitive market for information society and media services, increasing investment in innovation and research in IT, and fostering inclusion, better public services and quality of life through the use of ICT.

The ICT Policy Support Programme is one of three specific programmes within the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme . It builds on the experiences of previous programmes e-ten, Modinis and e-content, and works towards stimulating new converging markets for electronic networks, media content and digital technologies. Furthermore, it aims to provide a bridge between research investment and wide adoption by providing a testing ground for pan-European electronic services in both the public and private sectors. It will support the European cultural capital by financing the production and distribution of European digital content.

More information:
DG Information Society and Media