Design Council chosen to deliver €3.8m EU Design Innovation Platform

We're pleased to announce that we have been chosen to lead a consortium to deliver the European Design Innovation Platform (EDIP) – a project to increase the use of design for innovation and growth across Europe, financed by the European Commission.

The EDIP will be delivered over 3 years and aims to accelerate design-driven innovation in order to boost growth and job creation. The project will raise awareness of examples that show how design-driven innovation is being used to boost efficiency in public services and drive business growth across Europe.

The project will be delivered in three key ways:

• A web platform that will bring together knowledge and examples of design for innovation, from across the EU, in the public and private sector –a resource anyone interested in finding out the latest tools and techniques for applying design and making connections
• A programme of events for business people, public service managers, and policymakers to increase their awareness of design’s role in innovation and growth, and inspire investment
• Sharing the power of design with European industry through a consortium of 14 EU wide partner organisations, from Nesta to the Estonian Design Centre, and The Danish Design Centre to KEPA Business and Cultural Development Centre, Greece

We would welcome other organisations and networks interested in advancing design-driven innovation in their area getting in touch to discuss how they can contribute to the EDIP.

We're confident that businesses and public services will see tangible benefits by integrating leading-edge design into their sectors through the EDIP. Our recent evaluation report, Design Delivers for Business, shows that every pound invested in design translates into £4.12 net operating profit, £20+ net turnover and £5.27 net exports. Other studies from across Europe resonate with these results. The Danish Design Centre found that companies who purchased design enjoyed gross revenues approximately 22% higher than companies that didn’t. 

21% of European companies are already using design as a strategic means to encourage innovation and the EU's design sector has an annual turnover of €36 billion. The EDIP aims to increase this by promoting the adoption of design as a driver for competitiveness, prosperity and well-being across the EU. All forms of innovation, including non-technological user-driven innovation, will be supported. A broad understanding of design will help Europe's enterprises to provide better products and services and increase the standard of living for EU citizens.

Our Chief Executive John Mathers commented: 

“We are humbled to have been selected to deliver this fantastic project. We’re delighted that we have the opportunity to champion leading-edge design across Europe and to unify the industry and best practice. This is just the kind of EU wide resource that is required to increase the use of design to stimulate innovation and growth in both the private and public sectors.”