Authors: Gayle Kimberley and Nina Fauser
Are you interested in the green and digital transition? Would you like to contribute to making Europe the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050? Read more about how you can tap into the latest funding which will be made available through the launch of the new European Partnerships and secure your funding now!
On the 23rd of February 2021, the European Commission proposed the setting up of 10 new European Partnerships between the European Union (‘EU’), Member States and the industry, with the aim of speeding up the transition towards a green, climate neutral and digital Europe, whilst making the European industry more resilient and competitive. The European Partnerships fall under the remit of Horizon Europe, the new research and innovation programme for 2021 to 2027, whilst also contributing to the objectives of the EU Green Deal and the European Research Area.
Approximately €10 billion of funding will be provided by the EU, which the partners will match with at least an equivalent amount of investment. All this will ultimately contribute to creating long-term positive impacts on employment, the environment, and society at large.
Types of partnerships
The Horizon Europe programme identifies 3 types of partnerships, namely:
- Co-programmed partnerships: partnerships between the Commission and private and/or public partners (based on memoranda of understanding and/or contractual arrangements);
- Co-funded partnerships using a programme co-fund action: partnerships involving EU countries with research funders and other public authorities at the core of the consortium; and
- Institutionalised partnerships: in the field of research and innovation between the EU, EU Member States, and/or industry.
Partnerships applicable to the Maltese industry and economy
Out of the 10 proposed partnerships, here at EWROPA Consultancy, we have identified the following partnerships which would be applicable to the local scene:
- Clean hydrogen: this is in line with the EU Hydrogen strategy and aims at producing, distributing and storing clean hydrogen. As discussed in our article, the use of hydrogen is an important solution which is being pushed by the EU, as we move towards a low-carbon future;
- Clean aviation: this partnership aims at directing the aviation industry towards climate neutrality, by accelerating the development and deployment of disruptive research & innovation solutions. It aims to develop the next generation of ultra-efficient low-carbon aircraft, improving competitiveness and employment in the aviation sector;
- Innovative Health Initiative: the aim is to create an EU-wide health research and innovation ecosystem which facilitates the translation of scientific knowledge into tangible innovations;
- Key digital technologies: the aim is to support the digital transformation of all economic and societal sectors and the EU Green Deal, as well as support research and innovation towards the next generation of microprocessors;
- Circular bio-based Europe: this partnership will contribute to the 2030 climate targets, paving the way for climate neutrality by 2050 and will increase the sustainability and circularity of production and consumption systems, in line with the EU Green Deal. The aim of this partnership is to develop the sustainable sourcing and conversion of biomass into bio-based products; and
- Smart Networks & Services: supports technological sovereignty for smart networks and services.
Next steps
The proposal for a Regulation, the Single Basic Act, establishing 9 joint undertakings based on Articles 185 and 187 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’) will be adopted by the Council of the EU, following a consultation with the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee.
Towards the end of 2021, the first co-funded partnerships will be launched. Call topics related to the co-programmed and co-funded partnerships will be included in the Horizon Europe work programme for 2021/2022.
Do you have any ideas in mind which could be eligible for funding in relation to the new European Partnerships?
Here at Ewropa, we will assess your project, identify the appropriate funding opportunity, and even help you find partners in other Member States. Ewropa’s team will take care of carrying out all the necessary research, liaising with external bodies and implementing the application process from start to end.
Make sure to keep checking Ewropa’s website and social media pages for further announcements on concrete calls for funding opportunities. If you already have a project which you would like to discuss, secure your funding now by contacting us on info@ewropa.mt and we will help you identify the right funding opportunity for your project!