The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme - CIP is an attempt to create a single framework supporting the competitiveness, productivity, innovation and sustainable development. The Programme consists of three sub-programmes:
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation Framework Programme
- Technologies Policy Support Programme
- Intelligent Energy Europe Programme
The Ministry of Economy is the national partner institution responsible for implementation and coordination of activities related to the Programme. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for each special sub-programme is necessary for participation in this programme.
The Memorandum of Understanding on the first sub-programme (The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Framework Programme) was signed on 18 October 2007 in Brussels by the Minister for Economy Vera Rafajlovska and the Vice-President of the European Commission Mr. Gunter Verhojgen thus eliminating all the impediments for full participation of the Republic of Macedonia.