Yet the early signs are that this rhetoric may be constrained by political and economic realities. As a case in point, recent negotiations over the next multi-year EU budget and recovery plan saw member-states take an axe to the proposed funding for Horizon Europe (the next R&I Framework Programme), the new EU4Health initiative, and others. In the marathon race to achieve sustainable, secure futures for European industries and citizens alike, it appears that the EU is tying its own shoelaces together before it even crosses the starting line.

As Horizon Europe prepares to launch, therefore, serious questions remain as to whether the whole of European R&I can somehow be made greater than the sum of its parts. Can the Commission establish genuine synergies between Horizon and other flagship instruments, such as the InvestEU, Just Transition and Innovation Funds or Digital Europe? Will member states and associated countries agree to align their own resources and programmes with Europe’s R&I ambitions? Within Horizon itself, can the Commission build stronger pathways between fundamental science and market competitiveness, define a compelling value proposition for industry, and engage citizens throughout the R&I process?  And in the global context, can Europe realistically expect to achieve its strategic goals in domains such as climate without China (and the US) on board?

How to join...
In cooperation with TRESCA project - ZSI is one of the responsibles project partners co-authoring a new policy brief - the plenary Science in policy: Delivering trustworthy communication in a world of misinformation will take place on Monday, 22nd February, 16:30 -18:00 CET.
For more information about the event and registration, please visit the event page.