New EU programme period launched

January 1st 2021 marked the start of a new programme period for the EU, which brings forth large opportunities for Energy Valley members.

The government gave the go-ahead for the Norwegian participation in a number of EU programmes already in October 2020, this includes the new research and innovation programme Horizon Europe, the Single Market Programme ( the COSME part) and Digital Europe Programme among others.

The EU budget for the coming period is adopted and amounts to 1074,3 billion euros for the next seven-year period. 30 % of this is earmarked for climate related projects, and a significant amount of these funds will be found in Horizon Europe. This is positive for the members of Energy Valley, who can compete with their innovations on an equal playing field with the rest of Europe. The experience from earlier R&I programmes from the EU is that Norwegian companies, especially within the Energy sector has done well.

The first work programmes which outlines the calls in Horizon Europe are expected to be published in April 2021, with subsequent application deadlines probably in early autumn 2021.

It is also expected that a first open call will be published in the Digital Europe Programme in February 2021, as well as a closed call related to the European Digital Innovation Hubs, which are linked to selected national candidates. Energy Valley is a partner in the initiative NEDIH – AI and Cybersecurity Solutions for Critical Infrastructure, Advanced Production Processes and Services, coordinated by NTNU, and where Sintef and DigitalNorway are also important collaborators.

For more information about what the new EU programmes means for your company, contact Energy Valleys EU Advisor: maja.sevaldsen@energyvalley.com