EU Funds

STEP takes centre stage at Hannover Messe 2026 For the third consecutive year, the European Commission STEP team took part in Hannover Messe, the Europe’s largest industrial fair. The team held a session on ‘EU Investments Driving Europe's Strategic Technologies’.  The discussion brought together companies, researchers, and innovators eager to explore how EU funding can support the development and manufacturing of innovative technologies in the EU in the digital, clean tech, biotech, and defence sectors. At the vibrant European Commission stand, the team also connected with a wide range of STEP stakeholders – also including STEP Seal holders and regional authorities, exchanging insights on access to EU funding. This on-the-ground feedback is useful to guide the implementation of the envelope of €29bn of EU funding under deployment under STEP – and helping shape what comes next with the European Competitiveness Fund. Events like Hannover Messe are a great opportunity to connect with EU innovators and project promoters: STEP was designed to invest in strategic technologies. Looking forward to meeting more great innovators at the next events! Explore STEP funding opportunities: https://lnkd.in/eZ769bvX

At festivals, concerts, or major sporting events, crowds expect not just an enjoyable experience, but to stay safe.   But threats are evolving, from terrorism and malicious drones to sudden violence. Police and security teams need faster, smarter tools to spot danger and act before it escalates.   ➡️ That’s where the #EUfunded POP ART Project makes a difference. It introduces high-tech solutions on how to spot these threats. It uses AI-powered analysis to detect risks like violent behaviour or suspicious drones. It doesn’t just flag dangers, it also gives officers clear and real-time guidance on what to do next.    🔗 Find out more: https://lnkd.in/dmAhAtXD

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲. 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝘆! How can we ensure that every European has a real choice to stay and thrive where they call home? The European Commission is launching a call for evidence to shape the upcoming Right to Stay Strategy — a key initiative to address regional disparities and strengthen the attractiveness and competitiveness of regions across Europe. 📊 Today, nearly one third of EU citizens live in regions that have fallen behind over the past two decades. Many face limited access to jobs, services and opportunities — pushing people, especially young people, to leave. This is why your input matters. We are inviting you: • Citizens across Europe • Public authorities • Regional and local stakeholders • Experts and practitioners 👉 to share insights, experience and solutions. We are particularly interested in: • How EU policies can help regions overcome barriers to development • How place-based policies can better support the right to stay 💡 The goal: build a strategy grounded in real needs, real territories and real experiences. 🔗 Contribute until 5 June 2026. Because the Right to Stay is about more than mobility — it’s about opportunity, fairness and the future of every region in Europe. #EUFunds #CohesionPolicy #RightToStay #FutureOfEurope

Today marks the opening of the #CERIS workshop on "Research and Innovation against Illicit Drugs" in Brussels. Illicit drugs remain a complex and evolving challenge for the EU. Yet much of what we know is based on what is intercepted, while a significant part of criminal activity remains unseen. This is where research and innovation matter. By strengthening EU-funded efforts, we can better understand emerging threats and support practitioners on the ground. Over the next two days, the European Commission and CERIS bring together policymakers, practitioners, researchers and EU agencies to explore drug markets, organised crime, forensics, borders and the societal dimension. The goal: turning research into real-world impact. #EUSecurityResearch #Innovation

𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆: 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 How do we ensure that every European can truly choose where to build their future?   The high-level event on 6 May at the European Parliament marked the launch of the Right to Stay Strategy — a flagship initiative to ensure that staying where you live is a real and viable choice across all regions of Europe.   The key message from the discussion: freedom of movement must remain a fundamental EU right — but it should be a choice, not a necessity.   Bringing together EU leaders and policymakers — including Raffaele Fitto, Kata Tüttő, Enrico Letta, Makis Keravnos, and ministers from 6 Member States - Croatia, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Slovakia and Poland, the discussion highlighted both the scale of the challenge and the urgency to act. Across Europe, regional disparities remain significant: • 1 in 3 Europeans lives in a region that has lost population • Young people are increasingly likely to leave • Access to jobs, housing, services and connectivity drives whether people stay or leave   As highlighted in Letta Report “Much More than a Market”, if left unaddressed, these trends risk creating a “geography of discontent” — where people feel they have no real choice but to leave.   Yet the discussion also pointed to a strong common ground: ➡️ People want to stay — for social and emotional reasons ➡️ They leave when opportunities and services fall short ➡️ Place-based, coordinated solutions are essential   This is where EU action is decisive.   Cohesion policy is already investing in housing, infrastructure, innovation and public services — strengthening the attractiveness and competitiveness of regions across Europe.   The Right to Stay Strategy will now take this further by: • identifying key territorial challenges • guiding the use of EU funds • supporting Member States and regions in translating this objective into concrete action   The event marked the start of a broader process of engagement with stakeholders across Europe.   The next step: co-creation. A call for evidence will invite stakeholders across Europe to share their experience and help shape effective, place-based solutions. Help us shape the most relevant strategy for you, have your say! Because ensuring the Right to Stay is not only about regional development — it is about fairness, opportunity and trust in the European Union. #EUFunds #CohesionPolicy #RightToStay #FutureOfEurope

Enhancing Europe’s competitiveness and innovation potential – STEP stakeholders have their say! 📢 💶 On 24 March, Commissioner Piotr Serafin hosted an Implementation Dialogue on STEP in Brussels, marking the platform’s 2nd anniversary and an important milestone: €29 billion in EU funding mobilised across 11 programmes to support investment in critical technologies across the EU. Start-ups, scale-ups, industry associations, financial intermediaries and national authorities exchanged constructive views on how STEP is supporting innovation and shared suggestions to make it even more effective and accessible in the future. Commissioner Serafin took good note of the feedback received, which will help inform future work on the next EU long-term budget, including the European Competitiveness Fund. Participants highlighted the value of the STEP Seal as a recognised EU label for high-potential innovative projects, while the STEP Portal was praised as a useful one-stop shop for funding opportunities and technical assistance. Stakeholders also shared ideas to further strengthen support mechanisms, simplify procedures and enhance cooperation with Member States and investors. Implementation Dialogues were launched at the request of President von der Leyen, who tasked all Commissioners with organising two dialogues per year to better align EU implementation with realities on the ground. These exchanges aim to strengthen European competitiveness by gathering feedback from stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of EU policies and simplify EU rules and spending programmes. Read the full summary conclusions on the STEP Portal: https://lnkd.in/esrKEXTD

Are you working in the field of preventing radicalisation? Do you have a project idea that addresses violent extremism and terrorism across the EU? European Commission has launched a call for proposals to support projects aiming to prevent and counter radicalisation leading to violent extremism and terrorism. The call will support projects that focus on: • Digital resilience • Community protective factors • Addressing multi-ideological threats • Youth empowerment • Co-creation and inclusion 📅 The application deadline is 27 May. 🔗 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/dFFaGRRp #ProtectEU

EU funding momentum continues — and May, between the nice spring breaks, is full of opportunities to act. From health and digital to security, journalism and skills, this edition highlights the most relevant open calls, alongside concrete examples of how EU funding is already supporting digital skills, clean transition and innovative solutions on the ground. A focused overview to help you act in time, prioritise the right calls and move your projects forward — with EU support. As we move deeper into the year, this is the moment to position your ideas, build partnerships and move towards concrete proposals. 👉 Explore the full newsletter and take the next step with EU support. #EUfunding

⏳The countdown is on: 2 months left to the Annual EU Budget Conference 2026! 💬On 2 July, the conference will bring together voices from governments, academia, capital markets, and the real economy to explore how Europe aligns its resources with its ambitions. Through a dynamic mix of panels and discussions, participants will share perspectives, exchange ideas, and shape the conversation on Europe’s future priorities. 📥The newsletter gives direct access to regular updates, deeper breakdowns into the conference themes, and key practical information ahead of the event. Don't miss out - subscribe now: https://lnkd.in/dRyC_RRC

Big ideas deserve big funding! The LIFE Programme has launched its 2026 Calls for proposals, offering €601.5 million to transformative projects in:  ✅ Biodiversity restoration   ✅ Circular economy innovations   ✅ Climate resilience solutions   ✅ Renewable energy initiatives  and more! This is your opportunity to turn your vision into climate and environmental action.      🔗 Start your application today: https://lnkd.in/ei_K5CrN  Your project. Europe’s future.    #EULIFE26 #LIFEProgramme European Commission EU Environment and Climate EU Energy CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency