Launch event for Horizon Europe by General Secretariat for Research and Innovation

On Wednesday 9 June 2021 (11.00-14.30), the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation is holding a national launch event for the new EU Research and Innovation Programme 'Horizon Europe'(2021-2027). The event will be streaming online with the participation of all the National Contact Points of Greece. The National Documentation Centre (EKT), National Contact Point for the 'Health', 'Digital Technologies, Industry and Space' clusters and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions', is participating with a presentation of its actions in the context of 'Services of the National Contact Points.' The aim of the event is to inform the Greek research and business community about the new programme. Invited speakers from the European Commission will present the structure of the programme, focusing on the new elements.

Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for the period 2021-2027, with a budget of € 95.5 billion. It aims to link research and innovation and its main priorities are tackling climate change, the digital transformation of society and the economy, the well-being and security of its citizens and the protection of European democracy.

On 15 March 2021, the European Commission approved the first Horizon Europe Strategic Plan, which sets out strategic investment orientations for the first four years of the programme. The Plan ensures that research and innovation actions meet the EU's priorities, including a climate-neutral and green Europe, a Europe ready for the digital age and an economy at the service of the people.

Four strategic orientations for investment in research and innovation are set out:

• Promoting an open strategic autonomy by leading the development of key digital, enabling and emerging technologies, sectors and value chains;
• Restoring Europe's ecosystems and biodiversity, and managing sustainably natural resources;
• Making Europe the first digitally enabled circular, climate-neutral and sustainable economy;
• Creating a more resilient, inclusive and democratic European society.

The event is being organised with the support of the PRAXI Network / Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH) and will take place online through the Zoom platform.

To attend the event register here.
The agenda of the event is available here.

EKT as National Contact Point for Horizon Europe

EKT is the National Contact Point for Horizon Europe, specifically the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme of Pillar 1  and the 'Health' and Digital Technologies, Industry and Space' clusters of Pillar 2 . It supports organisations, enterprises, academics and research organisations to identify funding opportunities, draft and submit proposals, implement projects and exploit research results. It not only contributes to the recording and analysis of Greece's participation in European research and innovation programmes but, as a National Contact Point, it supports the implementation of ongoing projects under Horizon 2020.

With combined value-added services, EKT supports the Greek research and business community to excel and grow internationally. As co-ordinator of the Greek node of the Enterprise Europe Network, the largest business support network in the world, it provides services complementary to those of the National Contact Points, operating as a 'one-stop-shop' for business information on European issues, for finding business partnerships abroad, for technology transfer and innovation services, for mediation for international technological collaborations, for access to European funding and finding partners to participate in research proposals.