Memo: Designed for growth: Design to push innovation

Europe has a global leadership position in design. Design plays a key role as an intangible asset for innovative companies. 21% of European companies use design as a strategic means to encourage innovation and the EU's design sector has an annual turnover of €36 billion.

In order to fully exploit the design's potential to boost innovation, growth and job creation, the European Commission has set up the European Design Innovation Initiative. Its policy recommendations – published in the report "Design for Growth and Prosperity" – were presented on 17 September 2012 to European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani at the European Design Innovation Summit in Helsinki, the World Design Capital in 2012.

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. While design is a key European asset it has not yet been fully exploited to foster competitiveness.