What is the RDI Network?

The R&D&I Policy Network, better known as the IDI Network, is a thematic network linked to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The IDI Network emerged at the end of 2010 as a multi-level strategic coordination instrument to support research, development and innovation in Spain.

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Objectives

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To this end, the network’s main objective is to coordinate the different agents of the Spanish Science, Technology and Innovation System to optimize the design and development of public support frameworks for R+D+I, thus favoring the mobilization of resources and access to financing from the European cohesion policy and, in particular, the ERDF.

This main overall objective is complemented by a number of specific objectives:

• Facilitate coordination and cooperation between the administrations responsible for R+D+I policies and the management of FEDER funds of the AGE and CC. AA.
• Avoid overlapping in the definition of programs and in the use of R+D+I resources.
• Support the preparation, monitoring and evaluation of the requirements and criteria of the favorable condition included in the FEDER regulation in relation to R&D&I.
• Promote the exchange of information, participatory communication and dissemination of activities and main achievements.

Based on these objectives, the IDI Network’s activities are organized through its work plans, which are usually annual. They fall within the framework of the IDI Network Strategic Plan 2021-2027, published in April 2023. The operation of the IDI Network is included in its Internal Regulations.

At present, the network and its various activities are directly linked to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)’s policy objective 1, “a more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity”. It is also co-financed through technical assistance axis 13 of the Regional Operational Programme of Spain (POPE) and by the CDTI, E.P.E, the Spanish innovation agency under the Ministry of Science and Innovation, which is currently responsible for the Technical Secretariat.

For its part, the IDI Network is considered one of the agents of the Spanish Science, Technology and Innovation System (SECTI), which is made up of all public and private coordination, financing and implementation agents and their relationships, structures, measures and actions for the promotion, development and support of R&D&I policy in Spain.

Structure

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The most relevant actors in Spain's RDI policy ecosystem are part of the RDI Network structure. There are three levels of representation: at a European, national and regional level; and also three distinct bodies: the Presidency, the Plenary and the Technical Secretariat.

Presidency

The Presidency is shared by the Ministry with competences in European Funds, specifically with competences in the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by the Ministry with competences in R+D+I Policies. Currently, the following are part of the Presidency of the network:

• The Directorate General for European Funds of the Ministry of Finance,
• The Directorate General for Research Planning of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Univeristies,
• The Secretariat General for Innovation of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

The European Commission may play the role of advisory body at the request of the Presidency.

Among the functions of the Presidency, the following stand out:

• Formulation and approval of the strategic documents and presentation of the same before the Plenary,
• Management and planning of the activities of the IDI Network,
• Approval of the composition of the working groups and of the documents that are prepared within them,
• Approval of the incorporation of new members,
• Representation of the IDI Network.

Decisions within the Presidency will be made by consensus.

Plenary

The Plenary is the body made up of all network members and serves as the main meeting point for all of them. All designated representatives of each entity may participate. The Plenary will meet at least once a year and must be informed of the main activity of the network. In parallel, the members of the Plenary may transfer to the Technical Secretariat of the network as many comments and suggestions as they deem appropriate, whether in relation to the strategic documents, the configuration of the working groups, or the daily activity of the network, and these They will be duly evaluated by the Presidency.

Among the functions of the Plenary would be:

• Ratification of the strategic documents approved by the Presidency.
• Participation in as many consultations, surveys and documents promoted by the Presidency through the Technical Secretariat.

Technical Secretariat

The objective of the RDI Policy Network Technical Secretariat is to provide technical assistance to promote cooperation and collaboration among the different actors that make up the network. The functions of the Technical Secretariat are:

• Transfer to the Presidency of any relevant issues that may affect the network and the achievement of its main objectives,
• Promotion of cooperation and collaboration between the different actors that make up the network, thus facilitating the achievement of its main objectives.
• Call of the meetings and circulation of the agenda of the same, once validated by the Presidency,
• Organization of the different activities carried out within the framework of the network, including the administrative and logistics management derived from them,
• Coordination of the elaboration of the strategic documents of the IDI Network by the Presidency or the working groups that are configured under the protection of this network,
• Active communication through the available tools, management and maintenance of these, pursuing a better dissemination of information and greater visibility of network activity and its results,
• Acting as the contact point of the Network before the contact points of the rest of the member entities and before the national coordinator of communication of European funds.
• Participation in different initiatives and activities related to the areas of the network and other thematic networks financed with European funds,
• Maintenance of the website and the network database.

The Technical Secretariat is currently run by the CDTI, E.P.E. as part of its Institutional Promotion and Territorial Cooperation Department.

Members

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