The CIP is also aiming at generating synergies between its pillars. For example, whilst the Intelligent Energy programme will develop demand for energy efficient technology amongst a variety of private and public stakeholders, the EU financial instruments for SMEs will enhance the supply of environmental technologies by making sure that innovative companies can access financing for the use and development of such technologies. This is important as financial markets tend to regard both SMEs and innovative technologies as risky.

As one of the major European Commission proposals aimed at delivering on the reviewed Lisbon agenda, the CIP will work in parallel with and complement (rather than duplicate) other major initiatives like the 7th Research Framework programme (FP7), the Structural Funds and the Lifelong Learning Programme. To this end, CIP will:

• help SMEs access the FP7 and will leverage venture capital for innovative enterprises to help bring their research results to the market; 
• identify and analyse examples of excellence which can be adapted and replicated in order to make regional interventions more effective in meeting our accession goals; 
• help meet environmental goals by promoting sustainable approaches.

The DG for Research of the European Commission has recently published a "Practical Guide to EU funding for research, development and innovation" that seeks to explain the synergies and added value to be obtained from combining the CIP, the FP7 and the Structural Funds. In addition to practical information on combining the different funding sources, the guide includes a description of each fund, advice for policy makers and an innovative Checklist and Scorecard, thus allowing potential beneficiaries to quickly identify exactly how they can access European funding at every stage of the development and implementation of a RTDI project.