Europe’s competitiveness and industrial transformation depend on a strong and coherent framework for research, innovation and investment. EU instruments such as Horizon Europe, the Competitiveness Fund, the Innovation Fund and IPCEIs can play complementary roles in supporting the development and deployment of strategic technologies, strengthening European value chains and accelerating the green and digital transitions.
Horizon Europe should continue to support collaborative research, scientific excellence and industrial innovation, while the future Competitiveness Fund can help mobilise strategic investment in technologies and sectors critical to Europe’s long-term competitiveness. The Innovation Fund has an important role in bringing breakthrough low-carbon technologies to market and supporting industrial decarbonisation at scale. At the same time, IPCEIs can facilitate cross-border cooperation and investment in strategic European value chains.
To maximise impact, EU funding should be predictable, accessible and effectively coordinated, with clear priorities and efficient funding mechanisms that support innovation from research and development through demonstration, scale-up and industrial deployment.
FFIF key message:
The EU should ensure strong, predictable and coordinated funding for research, innovation and industrial investment, supporting strategic technologies from development to large-scale deployment while strengthening cross-border cooperation and Europe’s industrial competitiveness.
