2 minute read / July 19, 2023
The European Commission has taken a significant step forward in preparing for the launch of new European Partnerships during the second half of Horizon Europe. This week, 10 proposals for new candidate partnerships have been presented to Member States and Associated Countries, marking a crucial milestone.
The proposed partnerships cover diverse areas such as Brain Health, Sustainable Forestry, Innovative Materials, In-Orbit Demonstration, Raw Materials for Green and Digital Transition, Resilient Cultural Heritage, Social Transformations and Resilience, Solar Photovoltaics, Textiles of the Future, and Virtual Worlds. These proposals align with the impact-driven policy approach outlined in Horizon Europe and contribute to the green and digital transitions as well as the EU’s strategic autonomy.
The Commission’s concept papers for these candidate partnerships reflect the collaborative nature of Horizon Europe, emphasising the partnerships’ contributions to European priorities. Member States and Associated Countries have been actively involved in the process through platforms like the Partnership Knowledge Hub, fostering coordination and cooperation among stakeholders.
Additionally, an expert group supporting the strategic coordinating process provided evidence-based advice through their report, “Assessing European Partnerships against European policy priorities.” This report establishes a methodology to assess the relevance of partnerships in addressing Union-wide political priorities.
The next phase involves engaging Member States and Associated Countries in a co-creation process, where they can provide detailed feedback on the proposed candidates and suggest additional ones. The final portfolio of European Partnerships will be agreed upon together with Member States and Associated Countries and formalised through the adoption of the Strategic Plan 2025-2027.
Horizon Europe’s reform of the partnership landscape has streamlined and focused collaboration efforts, aiming to achieve the European Green Deal, digital transition, and resilience objectives. These partnerships play a central role in pooling and mobilising resources towards common goals, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future.
With Horizon Europe, the European Partnership landscape has undergone a significant reform, reducing the number of partnerships and introducing a coherent and strategic approach based on lifecycle criteria. The identification process for new partnerships aligns with the selection criteria outlined in the Horizon Europe Regulation, contributing to the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027. Institutionalised European Partnerships are not part of this process.
