About the MIKK

Multi-Annual Innovation and Knowledge Compass (MIKK)

Occasion
Knowledge and innovation play a crucial role in solving social issues. They are also of vital importance to the future economic growth of the Netherlands. Particularly in areas where excellent research and innovative entrepreneurship interact, their contribution towards solving social issues and economic progress can be substantial.  Being a small country, the Netherlands cannot excel in everything. This means that choices need to be made as to the areas on which it plans to focus and in which it can distinguish itself internationally.

Such choices are already being made in various places. We only have to consider the key areas and their specifically engrafted innovation programmes, the social innovation agendas and the strategic plans drawn up by research institutes such as the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) and the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). And although Ministries are also prioritising research and innovation, across the board the image is one of fragmentation and insufficient connections being made between the various priorities. The Advisory Council for Science and Technology (AWT) was quick in pointing this out in its ‘Deliberate Impulses’ recommendation, as was the Innovation Platform in its KIA (Knowledge Investment Agenda) presentations of 2009 and 2010.

Object
To better enable such choices in the future, the Multi-Annual Innovation and Knowledge Compass (MIKK) was launched as part of the ‘Enterprising Innovating Netherlands’ programme. The object of the MIKK is to provide building blocks for thematic knowledge and innovation policy beyond 2011 by means of identifying (combinations of) knowledge and innovation themes in which the Netherlands has a large economic and scientific potential. It also aims to visualise how those building blocks might contribute in performing social assignments.

Approach
The MIKK is a project in which 10 Ministries participate in association with the NOI. By establishing the MIKK, the government wishes to chart the economic and scientific strengths and potential of the Netherlands as well as ascertain ways in which those strengths can be utilised in dealing with social challenges.  The MIKK in turn can outline which knowledge and areas of innovation might be successfully used in tackling certain social issues.  A compass, in other words, on which future cabinets can rely if they wish to invest in the future of the Netherlands on the basis of a sound thematic knowledge and innovation policy. Companies and knowledge institutions can also use the information generated by the MIKK in making strategic decisions concerning R&D and priorities in research and organisational profiling. The MIKK does not make choices. It provides information on the basis of which policy plans, collaboration and thematic choices can be realised.