The results and experiences of efforts to close the innovation gap in the EU in the light of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programme

Background

Horizon 2020, the EU’s research and innovation programme, ran from 2014 to 2020 with a budget of EUR 75.6 billion. It was succeeded by Horizon Europe in February 2021, with a budget of EUR 95.5 billion.

Over one million applications from 177 countries were submitted during Horizon 2020. It funded nearly 35 000 projects involving 40 000 organisations. However, estimates suggest that an additional EUR 159 billion would have been needed to fund all the high-quality proposals submitted, beyond its budget. Horizon 2020’s aim was to boost economic growth and create jobs through research and innovation, focusing on excellent science, industrial leadership and societal challenges. It supported skills development and improved the cross-border recognition of qualifications.

Horizon Europe, currently at its mid-term stage, still awaits the full analysis of its impact. It is about to begin its second strategic plan for 2025-2027, focusing on major global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, the digital transition, and an ageing population.

However, the innovation gap among EU Member States remains, with the strongest innovators in Northern and Western Europe. For example, in 2023, Denmark, Sweden and Finland topped the list of EU countries with the best innovation performance.

Europe has significant potential through its skilled workforce, innovative companies and research institutions. The research and innovation gap, particularly in newer Member States, remains a challenge due to limited financial and administrative resources.

Furthermore, the EU continues to face challenges compared to its main global competitors, particularly in intellectual property, collaboration among innovative SMEs and business sector R&D spending.

Key points:

In the opinion, the EESC:

• believes that in order to close the innovation gap between EU Members States, three major issues need to be addressed: (1) ensuring access to research and innovation funding in all Member States, (2) providing access to adequate research support infrastructure and professionals, and (3) tackling co-financing burdens;
• calls on the European Commission to develop, with the involvement of companies, trade unions, CSOs and regions, a Bureaucracy Reduction Action Plan in order to identify overlapping regulations, and to reduce compliance burdens and reporting obligations;
• calls on the European Commission to follow up on teaming for excellence actions and on closing the innovation gap between Member States, particularly in Widening Countries (15 Member States at a disadvantage in R&I), including in view of the preparation for the next research framework programme.

The text of the draft opinion can be found here.

Additional information

Section: Single Market, Production and Consumption

Opinion number: INT/1066

Opinion type: Exploratory opinion

Rapporteur: Georgi STOEV

Reference: Hungarian Presidency of the European Council, 18/3/2024

Date of adoption by section: 5/9/2024

Result of the vote: 76 in favour/0 against/0 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 18/9/2024 – 19/9/2024

Result of the vote:   in favour/ against/ abstentions

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