European Partnerships

European Partnerships serve for the European Commission and private and/or public partners to join forces to tackle some of Europe’s key challenges through coordinated research and innovation initiatives. Horizon Europe aims to simplify the landscape of the European Partnerships and introduce a more strategic, coherent and impact-driven approach with a goal of fewer, but objective-focused and more ambitious partnerships. In this line, three types of European Partnerships are currently in place:

  • Co-funded: involving EU countries, with research funders and other public authorities at the core of the consortium
  • Co-programmed: between the Commission and mostly private (and sometimes public) partners; with cooperation based on a memorandum of understanding
  • Institutionalised: between the Union, EU member states and/or industry; requiring legislative proposals from the Commission and implemented by dedicated structures created for that purpose

As a crucial implementation tool of Horizon Europe, they are expected to contribute to achieving the overarching EU policy objectives, coordinate with one another and ensure synergies between different funding programmes.

49 European Partnerships were included in the first Strategic Plan of Horizon Europe. In July 2023, 10 proposals for new candidate partnerships were presented, with the final portfolio of 9 new partnerships included in the second Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027, adopted in March 2024.

European Partnerships

ERRIN input to Horizon programmes 2014-2027 consultation

February 2023

ERRIN's work on European Partnerships

ERRIN has been a strong advocator for further engagement of local and regional actors in the European Partnerships, and their governance structures. This is crucial for creating synergies with regional programmes, ensuring better connection to societal needs and challenges, and increasing the impact of the partnerships. We have actively participated in shaping the Driving Urban Transitions to a Sustainable Future (DUT) Partnership; and the Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) Partnership where ERRIN is currently involved. The network is also engaged in the Water4All Partnership.

  • The DUT Partnership  is through research, innovation and capacity-building enabling local and regional innovation ecosystems to address urban challenges, using an integrated approach. ERRIN sees the partnership as an important tool for European regions to advance urban transitions, including contributing to the EU Mission on climate-neutral and smart cities, through the involvement of their innovation ecosystems. Read more about the DUT Partnership and ERRIN’s involvement here.
  • The CCAM Partnership aims to create a more user-centred and inclusive mobility system, increasing road safety while reducing congestion and environmental footprint; introduce more collaborative research, testing and demonstration projects in order to accelerate the innovation pace and implementation of automated mobility; and work together at European level to help remove barriers and contribute to the acceptance and efficient rollout of automation technologies and services.
  • The Water4All Partnership (Water Security for the Planet) is a funding programme for scientific research in freshwater. It aims to tackle water challenges to face climate change, help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth. ERRIN is part of the Water4All Stakeholders Advisory Group.

Other European Partnerships that are followed in more detail by ERRIN thematic Working Groups include: Built4People; Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking; Transforming Health and Care Systems; Towards zero-emission road transport (2ZERO); Zero-emission waterborne transport; Innovative Health Initiative.

In addition, in September 2023 ERRIN produced an input paper on the European roadmap on Hydrogen Valleys, calling for more dedicated support in setting up and implementing Hydrogen Valleys, as well as a stronger role of local and regional governments in the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.

ERRIN Policy Working Group and DUT Partnership workshop

ERRIN's policy messages


To optimise the impact of European Partnerships the following points should be considered:

  • Increasing transparency of all European Partnerships (composition, state of play, engagement possibilities)
  • Opening up the European Partnerships to local and regional actors in a structured way beyond the co-funded partnerships
  • Using European Partnerships as a way to explore funding synergies between R&I funding and structural funds and learn from the other EU funding programmes that have already started testing such an approach, in particular Digital Europe Programme and EDIHs
  • Co-funded Partnerships: allowing regional authorities to join as equal partners in partnerships with national governments
  • Co-programmed Partnerships: ensuring public authority engagement to make better links with actual needs on the ground, so that the new services and products developed are fit for purpose
  • Institutionalised Partnerships: building on the experience of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership to ensure an effective link with regional stakeholders (Hydrogen Valleys)

Latest Updates

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Call for short position papers on HE & FP10 from the Commission Expert Group on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe

The Expert Group on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe, which will advise the Commission on the future European Framework Programme for R&I (FP10), is calling for 2-page position papers from institutional actors addressing four predefined questions. The aim is to further involve key stakeholders in the Group's work, benefiting from their insights and feedback.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027 is out

On 20 March, the Commission adopted the second Horizon Europe strategic plan. The plan sets out three key strategic orientations for the EU's research and innovation funding for the last three years of the programme (2025-2027). Find out what novelties the new strategic plan brings.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Marching towards FP10 – ERRIN activity update

As we enter March and approach the European R&I Days, several ERRIN activities planned for 2024 with a link to FP10 have already taken place, and more are on their way. Have a look at an update with the outcomes of our recent work on the next European Framework Programme for R&I, next steps and opportunities to get involved.

  • By Gianpiero Petruzziello

The first call of the Agroecology Partnership is now open

The Agroecology Partnership has officially launched its first call for proposals to fund transdisciplinary research and innovation (R&I) projects that address agroecological transition of conventional and organic agricultural systems. The deadline for pre-proposal is 26 April 2024, 14:00 CET.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Direction FP10 – rolling out ERRIN's activities in 2024

With the Commission proposal on the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) expected in mid-2025, this year will be key for setting the tone for further work on the topic and actively engaging in discussion. Have a look at an overview of ERRIN activities currently in the pipeline and opportunities to engage.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Towards FP10 – ERRIN member survey to strengthen the ground for future work

This year is decisive when it comes to the development of the next European Framework Programme for R&I (FP10). To shape ERRIN's work on the topic, we encourage all members to fill in a survey about their regional work on FP10 and key issues to address. Receiving a broad view from the membership will be key for building the network's position.