With a budget of €10 billion for the period of 2021 – 2027, the new European Innovation Council (EIC) is the key innovation of Horizon Europe. By supporting startups, SMEs and research teams, the new EIC aims to identify, develop and scale-up breakthrough technologies and disruptive innovations. Particular focus is given to projects supporting the goals of the Green Deal and the Recovery Plan for Europe.

The launch of the new European Innovation Council will take place online, on 18 and 19 March 2021. The first calls for applicants are planned to be released during this two-days event.

On the first day, the launch ceremony will be followed by sessions dedicated to the contribution of the EIC to the economic recovery of Europe. The second will be an ‘applicants’ day’, during which concrete information on how the EIC works, how to apply to the calls and who is eligible, as well as funding opportunities, will be provided to potential beneficiaries and interested stakeholders. The’ applicant’s day’ will be webstreamed here.

Read more about it on the EIC’s website.

Earlier in February 2021, the ENVI Committee adopted the report ‘Towards a WTO-compatible EU carbon border adjustment mechanism’. This report is an initiative of the ENVI Committee and addresses the creation of a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), proposed by the European Commission in its communication on the European Green Deal.

To deliver on the European Green Deal carbon neutrality ambitions, the European Union is setting grounds for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

The aim of the CBAM is to encourage third-world countries to reduce their carbon emissions by placing a carbon price on the imports of certain goods from outside the European Union.

The CBAM will help to increase climate ambitions beyond EU countries and reduce the risk of ‘carbon leakage’.

Read more about it here.

The European Commission released Horizon Europe’s first Strategic Plan 2021 – 2024 on 15 March 2021. This strategic plan is a novelty in Horizon Europe and it sets the strategic orientations and research and innovation of the programme’s first four years, which includes:

• Promoting an open strategic autonomy by leading the development of key digital, enabling and emerging technologies, sectors and value chains;
• Restoring Europe’s ecosystems and biodiversity, and managing sustainably natural resources;
• Making Europe the first digitally enabled circular, climate-neutral and sustainable economy;
• Creating a more resilient, inclusive and democratic European society.

These four key strategic orientations are supported by 15 impact areas.

In this strategic plan, eight key specific issues will be taken into account in the implementation of Horizon Europe 2021-2024. The horizontal issues addressed in the plan are the following:

• Gender equality and inclusiveness
• Social Sciences and Humanities
• Ethics and integrity
• Open science practices
• Dissemination and Exploitation (D&E)
• Key Enabling Technologies
• Social Innovation
• EU Taxonomy

While the focus is on Pillar II of Horizon Europe, the strategic plan also covers relevant activities in Pillars I and III, as well as the part ‘Widening Participation & Strengthening the ERA’, in order to promote synergies between them.

The priorities defined in the strategic plan will be implemented through the work programme of Horizon Europe, which sets out funding opportunities for Research and Innovation activities through thematic calls for proposals and topics. The first calls for proposals are expected to be launched in the spring this year and will be presented at the EU R&I Days on 23 and 24 June 2021.

The strategic plan has been prepared following an ambitious co-design process involving the European Commission, EU Member States, EEA members, the European Parliament, stakeholders and the public – more than 8,000 contributions have been submitted in various stages of the strategic planning process.

Read more about it here.

For Horizon Europe to remain ‘open to the world’, negotiations to open up the 2021-2027 research framework programme for Research and Innovation to non-EU countries are currently on the table. Under Horizon 2020, 16 non-EU countries participated in EU projects under the same conditions as the 27 member states, as ‘associate partners’. For the first time, the UK will become an associate partner, alongside Iceland, Norway, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Israel, Moldova, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Ukraine, Tunisia, Georgia and Armenia.

However, association agreements have yet to be finalized by the EU as discussions are still taking place regarding negotiations.