Europe faces significant social, environmental and economic challenges as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Research and innovation is essential in addressing these challenges and supporting the EU’s recovery from the pandemic. Cooperation and investment in research and innovation will also facilitate and speed up Europe’s digital and green transitions.
With only 7% of the world's population, Europe accounts for 20% of global research and development investment, produces one third of all high-quality scientific publications, and holds a world leading position in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, mechanical engineering and fashion. Now more than ever, the European Commission is committed to keeping the EU at the forefront of global research and innovation.
More than 50% of the total amount of the EU’s 2021-2027 budget and its temporary recovery instrument NextGenerationEU will support the modernisation of the European Union through research and innovation; fair climate and digital transitions; preparedness, and recovery and resilience.
The European Commission provides support and funding for research and innovation through various initiatives and funding instruments. These include the Horizon Europe programme, the European Research Area, and the European Research and Innovation Days.
Horizon Europe is the EU’s funding programme for research and innovation for 2021-2027. With a budget of €95 billion, it will be the world’s most ambitious research and innovation programme. Horizon Europe aims to help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.
Key Points:
How will it impact Irish civil society organisations?
Horizon Europe will provide opportunities for civil society organisations to access funding to engage in activities which address the programme’s objectives. With a strong focus on engaged research, the programme’s Global Challenges Pillar will be of particular interest to the Irish nonprofit community. Civil society organisations will be able to access these funding streams through various calls for tenders and proposals throughout the 2021-2027 EU budget period.
In order to increase the research and innovation impact, Horizon Europe will also have synergies with other EU funding programmes like Erasmus+ and Digital Europe. This cross-programme interaction aims to promote faster dissemination and uptake of research and innovation results.
The European Research Area (ERA) is a single, borderless market for research, innovation and technology across the EU. Its aim is to improve Europe's research and innovation landscape, accelerate the EU's transition towards climate neutrality and digital leadership, support its recovery from COVID-19, and strengthen its resilience against future crises.
Key Points:
How will it impact Irish civil society organisations?
The new European Research Area promotes participatory science which will provide opportunities for civil society organisations to be involved in engaged research about issues impacting their communities.
The new ERA will also develop a roadmap of actions for collaborations between higher education institutions and research. In addition, the ERA will make research and innovation more accessible to all EU citizens through events like citizen science campaigns and hackathons.
European Research and Innovation Days is the European Commission’s annual flagship Research and Innovation event. The two-day event provides an opportunity to gather input from policy makers, stakeholders and citizens on how research and innovation policy and funding can deliver on European priorities.
Key Points:
How will it impact Irish civil society organisations?
Civil society organisations can register to attend the European Research and Innovations Days through the event’s website. The event provides a unique opportunity for organisations to add their voice to the conversation through various interactive elements including social media platforms.
Decisions that are made at the EU level can have a big impact on our daily lives. At The Wheel we believe that citizens’ active participation in society is vital so they can play a part in influencing the decisions that affect them.
Here’s how you can connect with the EU:
Together.eu is an online community of pan-European active citizens interested in learning from each other and finding common ground on EU issues. Created by the European Parliament during the 2019 European elections, together.eu encourages everybody to participate in democracy through virtual events and activities.
In the lead-up to May 2019, volunteers helped raise awareness about the issues that matter most to them, their friends and families. From climate change to data protection, thousands of EU citizens throughout Europe organised activities, events and debates to remind others that participation in pan-European platforms is essential to dealing with today's challenges.
Check out the latest events organised by the European Parliament and the together.eu community, happening online and across Europe, by joining together.eu here.
Following the European elections in May 2019, 11 MEPs representing Ireland's three constituencies, Dublin, South and Midlands-North-West, took their seats in the European Parliament on 2 July 2019 for Parliament's 9th term.
With the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 31 January 2020, Ireland gained an additional two MEPs. Barry Andrews (Fianna Fáil/ Renew Europe), Dublin, and Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael/ EPP), South, took up their seats in the European Parliament on 1 February 2020.
Who are your MEPs and how can you contact them? We have gathered the information for you here.
Through involvement in EU-funded projects, you’ll deliver on current EU policy and programme goals while helping to shape future policy.
Learn more about the various EU funding programmes and the projects they support here.
