Coordination and further alignment of different funding streams to support R&I actions is an important objective in the EU research and innovation policy agenda. In particular, synergies between the R&I Framework Programme and Regional Development funds have been a challenge. However, during the last years, the synergies discussion has gained momentum, creating an enabling environment due to coordination of respective regulations and the State Aid framework. In July 2022, the European Commission published a draft notice as guidance on “Synergies between Horizon Europe and ERDF programmes”.

However, synergies still remain difficult to put in practice and this becomes particularly relevant for the newly established co-funded European Partnerships in Horizon Europe, whose success relies on the ability to mobilise national and regional funding to increase R&I investments. The guidance document provides a theoretical framework for synergies, but the barriers are often procedural, practical and linked to lack of knowledge on the different funding programmes.

In this context, the event organised by the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership and ERRIN Policy Working Group on 8 June will be joined by officials from European Commission's DG REGIO and DG RTD who will present the state of play of funding synergies, as well as representatives of two European Partnerships – DUT and CETP – who will offer practical insights. This will lead to an open discussion with the audience on operationalising funding synergies and ways to overcome related challenges.

The objective of the workshop is to create an opportunity for an informal exchange between the relevant European Commission services as well as national and regional funding agencies. The Driving Urban Transition Partnership is being used as an example in this dialogue.

You may find the agenda attached and register here.

Participation is possible online and in person at the ERRIN premises (Rue du Luxembourg 3, 8th floor, 1000 Brussels). You will receive the link to connect online automatically following the registration. At the same time, we encourage attendance in person for additional networking opportunity.

Thank you for attending this DUT & ERRIN Policy WG workshop. You may find the presentations from the session and watch the recording of the event below.