EU Launches EUR 1bn Green Deal Call

Date: September 18^th 2020

Topic: Renewables , Energy policy , New technologies , Economy

The European Commission launched a EUR 1 billion call on Thursday for research and innovation projects that respond to the climate crisis and help protect Europe's unique ecosystems and biodiversity. The Horizon 2020-funded European Green Deal Call “will spur Europe's recovery from the coronavirus crisis by turning green challenges into innovation opportunities,” said the Commission.

The projects funded under this call are expected to deliver results with tangible benefits in ten areas, including eight thematic areas reflecting the key work streams of the European Green Deal (increasing climate ambition; clean, affordable and secure energy; industry for a clean and circular economy; energy and resource efficient buildings; sustainable and smart mobility; farm to fork; biodiversity and ecosystems; zero pollution, toxic-free environments) and two horizontal areas - strengthening knowledge and empowering citizens – which offer a longer-term perspective in achieving the transformations set out in the European Green Deal.

“The EUR 1 billion European Green Deal call is the last and biggest call under Horizon 2020. With innovation at its heart, this investment will accelerate a just and sustainable transition to a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. As we do not want anyone left behind in this systemic transformation, we call for specific measures to engage with citizens in novel ways and improve societal relevance and impact,” commented Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

According to the Commission, this Green Deal Call “differs in important aspects from previous Horizon 2020 calls. Given the urgency of the challenges it addresses, it aims for clear, discernible results in the short to medium-term, but with a perspective for long-term change. There are fewer, but more targeted, larger and visible measures, with a focus on rapid scalability, dissemination and uptake.”

The deadline for submissions is 26 January 2021, with selected projects expected to start in autumn 2021.

This article is available also in Slovene.