The main strategic objectives of COMPERA are:

• Creating a neworking structure to achieve a new sustainable co-operative culture
• Developing synergies between the participating programmes by broadening the co-operation structures, preparing and implementing joint transnational activities
• Preparing an alliance scheme allowing for long-term co-operation
• Demonstrating to the European innovation community the benefits of networking and coordination at the level of Competence Research Centre Programmes

Creating a networking structure to achieve a new sustainable co-operative culture
Joining agencies with different characteristics and from different EU member states and regions requires a process of mutual understanding, confidence and growth towards collective activities. A co-operation structure will be set up with all relevant actors concerned, which will allow an efficient coordination and streamlining of the envisaged co-operation.

Developing synergies between the participating programmes by broadening the co-operation structures, preparing and implementing joint transnational activities
Programme owners and managers will exchange information on different aspects of programme development and implementation, leading to the identification and absorption of best practices, or sometimes their development, thus improving the efficiency of national/regional programmes. In addition, they will coordinate the identification, definition and elaboration of new joint transnational initiatives at programme level that should lead to an improved networking and co-operation between Competence Research Centres throughout Europe. This will result in a more efficient mobilisation of resources and expertise, a reduction of the duplication of efforts through differentiation of activities, and an enhanced cost effectiveness, e.g., by sharing of infrastructure and knowledge, harmonisation of knowledge creation, …

Preparing an alliance scheme allowing for long-term co-operation
In order to assure that the initiated collaboration during the project will continue in a self-sustainable way, special attention will be paid to the development of an institutional framework allowing for a long-term collaboration beyond the duration of the project. Several options will be explored, such as: the introduction of common mechanisms towards the funding of foreign partners within the participating Programmes (opening up of programmes), the development and implementation of joint programmes (with or without the pooling of funds), …

Demonstrating to the European innovation community the benefits of networking and coordination at the level of Competence Research Centre Programmes
An active communication strategy, supported by appropriate Public Relations tools, will be implemented in order to demonstrate the advantages of a structural approach at the level of Competence Research Centre Programmes to bridge the gap between knowledge providers and knowledge users, in particular between academics and industry. Other European agencies will be given the opportunity to join the consortium in order to broaden the area of operation both in terms of geographical extension as well as critical mass.