Pathways to a brighter future for Europe

Abstract

Through the Horizon Europe programme, the European Commission is investing €13.5 billion throughout 2023-24 to support researchers and innovators in Europe in developing novel solutions to key challenges. These include environmental, energy, digital and geopolitical issues. Representing the EU’s main funding programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe has a budget of €95.5 billion until 2027. The 2023-2024 work programme has around €13.5 billion funding available to help the EU attain its climate, energy and technological goals. The funding will also be used to assist Ukraine, enhance economic sustainability and aid in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also expected to help secure a strengthened research and innovation environment across Europe, with a greater number of researchers and innovators, improved flexibility and funding for selected research facilities. In terms of the allocation of funding, €5.67 billion is earmarked to help achieve crucial climate action targets such as developing ways to lower greenhouse gas emissions and climate change adaptation, while an additional €1.67 billion is allocated to protecting biodiversity. More than €4.5 billion is available to support digital transformation across the EU, supporting the ongoing development of innovations in digital technologies. Nearly â,¬970 million from the EU’s NextGenerationEU programme is dedicated to accelerate the shift to clean energy, including measures to help end the EU’s reliance on Russian fossil fuels in accordance with the European Commission’s REPowerEUPlan.