EU parliamentary leader visits Climate-KIC

S&D’s Hannes Swoboda meets German team

Hannes Swoboda, MEP and president of the social democrats (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, S&D) in the European Parliament has visited the Climate-KIC National Centre in Berlin this month (5 April) to learn more about the work of Climate-KIC.

Swoboda met with Hans-Jürgen Cramer, Director Climate-KIC Germany, Aaron Best, Deputy Director, and Maura Kessel, Education Manager. They presented an overview of Climate-KICs Innovations, Education and Entrepreneurship activities to the MEP.

Swoboda stressed the connection between economics and ecology,  saying this is essential in order to create the “next boom” by creating sustainable jobs.

A further focus of the discussion with Swoboda was the issue of growing bureaucracy, a problem the the EIT’s KICs are increasingly confronted with.

In a statement after his visit, Swoboda said: “I conveyed the concerns about the administrative burden in the work of the KICs to both Commission President Barroso and the Commissioner responsible. I hope that we can have even more flexibility and spontaneity incorporated into the KIC’s work.”

Following this interesting exchange of views Swoboda also visited the Green Garage, Climate-KIC Germany’s new incubator for climate innovations, which will officially open on 24 April.

Climate-KIC Germany is continuously working to build awareness of Climate-KIC among key stakeholders.