The proposal establishes the tenth Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, a key instrument for delivering the policy ambitions outlined in the Commission’s proposal for the next long-term EU budget (2028–2034) and the political priorities for 2024–2029. It places research and innovation at the heart of the Union’s economy and investment strategy, promotes simplicity and flexibility, enabling faster and more strategic EU spending through clearer rules and more transparent procedures for applicants and stakeholders.
The exploratory opinion requested by the Commission and by the Presidency of the Council of the EU focuses on general-purpose AI models (GPAI), their use by institutions, bodies and businesses and the impact they have. Based on the consultations and opinion´s findings, the EESC believes that to be competitive in GPAI, Europe must invest in secure connectivity and backbone infrastructure as well as in a resilient supply chain to ensure that generative AI can be harnessed for European players and aligned with Europe´s values and needs. A coordinated European and national investment in innovation is needed, and the tools of competition policy need to be mobilised in order to combat a market concentration dominated by large, often non-European, digital companies.
Download — Parere del CESE: The results and experiences of efforts to close the innovation gap in the EU in the light of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programme
In today's complex geopolitical context, the openness and borderless cooperation in the research and innovation sector may be exploited and turned into vulnerabilities.
Download — Parere del CESE: Proposal for a Council recommendation on enhancing research security
The aim of the Commission's New European Innovation Agenda is to position Europe at the forefront of the new wave of deep tech innovation and start-ups. It will help Europe to develop new technologies to address the most pressing societal challenges, and to bring them on the market. The proposed agenda will help better integrate initiatives and investment at EU and national levels. Action at EU level is crucial for supporting the development of coherent national innovation agendas, supporting access to finance, particularly for small businesses, creating a framework more supportive of innovation, connecting innovation ecosystems, and developing and attracting talent.
Download — Parere del CESE: A new European innovation agenda
The EESC welcomes the Data Act Regulation and highlights the need to implement it without any discrimination against people who have difficulty accessing the internet or data. The EESC considers it important to guarantee respect of safety and ethical standards, multiple and sufficient conditions for data functionality, cybersecurity procedures and the proper storage of data on EU territory, on the assumption that individuals should be in control of the data they generate in accordance with the objectives of strategic autonomy and technological independence.
The EESC considers the five missions as high priorities for the EU and highlights that the competitiveness of Europe's industry is very important for their achievement.
At the same time, the EESC underlines the importance of considering the impact on EU citizens and encourages the Commission to strongly link activities to social policies and the European Pillar of Social Rights, taking in particular into account the special needs of elderly and vulnerable EU citizens.
The EESC strongly supports the idea of empowering 150 climate benchmark regions throughout Europe and therefore strongly recommends increasing the portion of the EU regional budgets earmarked for R&D from the current figure of 5% to a minimum of 10%.
The EESC considers following five additional challenges and missions to also be very important for Europe:
On 16 July 2021 the Commission adopted its proposal for a Council Recommendation on ‘A Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe' to support the implementation of national European Research Area (ERA) policies.
Download — Parere del CESE: Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe
The landscape of digital services is significantly different today from 20 years ago, when the eCommerce Directive was adopted. Online intermediaries have become vital players in the digital transformation. Online platforms in particular have created significant benefits for consumers and innovation, but at the same time, they can be used as a vehicle for disseminating illegal content, or selling illegal goods or services online.
The Digital Markets Act addresses the negative consequences arising from certain behaviours by platforms acting as digital “gatekeepers” to the single market.
