EURADA - European Association of Development Agencies

🌍 The European Committee of the Regions adopts key recommendations for Horizon Europe (FP10) 🌍 The European Committee of the Regions has published its recommendations for the upcoming Horizon Europe (FP10), emphasising the importance of regional synergies and a place-based approach in strategic programming. Main proposals: 1️⃣ Regional innovation ecosystems: The Committee stresses that cities and regions must play a central role in the EU’s scientific excellence. It proposes more effective linking of smart specialisation strategies to Horizon Europe programming. 2️⃣ Horizon Europe structure: The Committee advocates for alignment with the European Green Deal, balancing basic and applied research, and promoting collaboration between local and regional innovation ecosystems. 3️⃣ Synergies with other European programmes: Despite progress, challenges remain in combining EU funds. It proposes establishing a multifund operational framework to facilitate the integration of resources in the long term. These recommendations are key to boosting innovation, sustainability, and territorial cohesion across Europe.

🌐 The EU and Japan begin formal talks on Horizon Europe partnership. The EU and Japan have officially started negotiations on Japan’s association with Horizon Europe, the EU’s #research and #innovation programme. If successful, this will mark the first time Japan participates in the programme’s closest form of cooperation. Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, highlighted that research and innovation are key to driving the green and digital transitions. Japan’s potential association with Horizon Europe would allow its researchers to lead and collaborate on multinational projects with EU partners. With Canada already associated and ongoing negotiations with South Korea, Egypt, and Switzerland, Horizon Europe now includes 19 associated countries, offering opportunities for global collaboration in research.🤝

EURADA is contributing to the Horizon Europe: Just Fashion EU Project, a transformative initiative that brings together 20 partners from 8 countries to shape a greener future for fashion and SMEs alike. 🌍

🌍 Reforming the EU Cohesion Policy 🌍 At the recent plenary of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), key proposals were adopted to reform the EU cohesion policy, emphasising the need to focus on regions and cities. Local and regional leaders oppose centralisation and call for a more strong, flexible, and reformed policy of cohesion. 🔑 Key Priorities: 🔹 Simplifying rules and reducing sectoral funds. 🔹 Increasing the budget for cross-border cooperation. 🔹 Ensuring greater local participation in policy implementation. Key Quote: "Cohesion policy is essential to ensure no region is left behind." – Vasco Alves Cordeiro, President of the CoR. #CohesionPolicy #TerritorialCooperation #EUcohesion #RegionalInequalities https://lnkd.in/gujXVx9g

🔵 EU Budget 2025: Tackling Key Challenges & Strengthening Priorities The European Parliament has secured a €10 billion increase for the 2025 EU budget, focusing on urgent issues like health, migration, climate action, and humanitarian aid. Key areas benefiting from the additional funding include: 🔹 Support for Ukraine 🔹 Erasmus+ (€422 million) 🔹 Horizon Europe (€20 million) 🔹 Border management & cybersecurity This budget will help address pressing challenges while protecting essential programmes like #research and #innovation. With a 6% increase, it reinforces the EU's commitment to citizens and its long-term goals.

🌐 The Future of Collaborative Research and Innovation in Framework Programme 10 Discussions at the European Civil Aeronautics Summit highlighted key developments for the next EU Framework Programme for #Research and #Innovation (FP10), set to run from 2028 to 2034. Collaborative research, an essential component of Horizon Europe, is expected to evolve rather than undergo major changes, with simplification and strategic alignment as top priorities. Key Takeaways: 🔹 Streamlined Partnerships: FP10 aims to reduce the complexity of the current partnership framework, focusing on fewer, more targeted collaborations under a simplified governance structure. 🔹 Ecosystem Approach: Emphasis will be placed on connecting research, industrialisation, regulatory frameworks, and investment strategies to achieve greater impact. 🔹 Alignment with Member States: Efforts will focus on creating a shared strategic agenda for #research and #innovation, enhancing coordination between the EU, national governments, and industry. These priorities align with broader EU goals to maintain global competitiveness in #innovation while addressing long-term challenges.

🌍 Looking to the Future: How Regional Development Agencies are Preparing for Change Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are key players in shaping a resilient and competitive future. With rapid changes in climate, technology, demographics, and geopolitics, agencies are responding to these shifts by turning challenges into opportunities. 📊 Strategic Foresight is emerging as a crucial tool. It helps regions prepare for potential futures by imagining, designing, and acting on desired outcomes. Notably, Wales is leading the way, integrating foresight into policy design through its Future Generations Act and a long-term strategy, Cymru Can. 💡 In the Basque Country (Spain), a regional foresight exercise has shaped a vision for Basque competitiveness by 2040, focusing on inclusive and sustainable prosperity. Meanwhile, Japan's Future Design movement empowers local communities to plan long-term, ensuring equity for future generations. EURADA - European Association of Development Agencies, led by Roberta Dall'Olio, is advancing foresight through a dedicated working group, fostering knowledge exchange among RDAs. With the support of the OECD - OCDE and EU institutions, Katerina Ciampi Stancova, PhD from the OECD Trento Centre for Local Development has collaborated with EURADA to enhance RDA foresight capabilities, ensuring readiness for uncertain futures. The future is now, and these regional strategies are guiding the way forward! 🌱

🌍 Emilia-Romagna Receives "Regional Innovation Valley" Label The European Commission has awarded Emilia-Romagna the prestigious "Regional Innovation Valley" label, recognising its efforts to reduce the innovation gap across Europe. The region has made significant strides in strengthening innovation ecosystems and aligning with EU goals in digital transformation, green technologies, and healthcare. This recognition highlights Emilia-Romagna's role in connecting diverse European regions with different innovation levels, improving coordination, and enhancing investments in research and innovation. Additionally, the region’s active participation in European initiatives, including the FEDER 2021-2027 programme, further supports the development of key technologies in areas such as digital and biotechnology. Our member, ART-ER – ATTRATTIVITÀ RICERCA TERRITORIO, with offices in Bologna and Brussels, plays a vital role in managing these initiatives and driving regional innovation. 🌱

🌍 2019-2024: Cohesion Policy Achievements 🌍 Cohesion Policy has been instrumental in building a #resilient, #inclusive, and #sustainable Europe over the past five years. Key milestones include: ✅ €392 billion invested in 379 national and regional programmes until 2029. ✅ Launch of the €19.7 billion Just Transition Fund, fostering economic #diversification in 96 regions. ✅ Support for 2.7 million businesses, creation of 260,000 jobs, and improved #health services for 36 million people. ✅ Investment of over €100 billion in #renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable urban transport. ✅ Swift responses to crises, including billions mobilised for COVID-19, refugee support, and the energy crisis. ✅ Initiatives like the New European Bauhaus and the Strategy to Harness Talent, addressing demographic and urban challenges. ✅ Enhanced governance through the Public Administrations Cooperation Exchange Programme, modernising public services across the EU. Cohesion Policy remains the engine of EU #convergence, empowering communities, addressing disparities, and preparing for the challenges ahead. Together, we ensure a stronger, united Europe.

The European Commission welcomes the agreement reached between the European Parliament and the European Council's annual budget for 2025, totalling €199.4 billion. This budget will empower the EU to deliver on its political priorities and address urgent crises, including the recent floods in several Member States. Key allocations include funding for flagship programs like Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, as well as support for Ukraine, European competitiveness through the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), and addressing crises such as the Middle East conflict and migration. Key EU budget priorities for 2025: ▪️ Single Market, Innovation, and Digital: €21.5 billion  ▪️ Cohesion, Resilience, and Values: €78 billion  ▪️ Natural Resources and Environment: €56.7 billion  ▪️ Migration and Border Management: €4.8 billion  ▪️ Security and Defence: €2.6 billion The 2025 budget ensures continued EU action on key priorities while responding to emerging challenges.