The ERA Act: unlocking the fifth freedom

Background

As emphasised in the Letta and Draghi reports, the two main challenges of EU R&I policy are: i) reversing the declining productivity of the EU economy and closing the competitiveness gap with other global scientific and economic powers; and ii) reducing the fragmentation of the European research area to allow for the free circulation of scientific knowledge, research and innovation referred as the ‘fifth freedom’ in the Letta report.

In the second half of 2026, the Commission is expected to publish the European Research Area Act (ERA Act). EESC’s input through this own-initiative opinion (OIO) is intended to shape the ERA Act, ensuring that it supports a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and digital transformation, and aligns with these strategic visions.

EESC insights in this OIO would be particularly focused on the added value of the 5th freedom: free movement of researchers, scientific knowledge and technology (with a focus on access to infrastructure) and enhancing security in the internationalisation of technological research and innovation (R&I), as well as researchers’ employment conditions, researchers’ obstacles for mobility. The aim is to overcome the ongoing fragmentation of research efforts in Europe by promoting dynamic public-private partnerships, shared high-level research infrastructures, and an open science approach to data sharing.

This opinion is part of the EESC pilot "Enlargement Candidate Members (ECM)" where representatives from Turkey will take part in the study groups and in the Section meeting. The Turkish representatives are: Özgür Burak Akkol (Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations, for Group I),  Osman Isci (Confederation of Public Employees' Unions for Group II) and Ayşe Yürekli (Women Entrepreneurs Association of Türkiye, for Group III).

Practical information

Composition of the study group 

Administrator in charge: Jana VALANT
Assistant: Tanja STANOVNIK

For more information please contact the INT Section Secretariat.