STEP Taskforce in mission(s)

2025 started strong with the STEP taskforce travelling to Greece in early January. The two-day event dedicated to STEP in Athens was the perfect occasion to urge for support to competitiveness at the highest political level and discuss the possibilities for reprogramming with the Greek Managing Authorities in charge of cohesion policy programmes (ERDF, ESF+ and JTF), with examples of Greek projects awarded the STEP Seal also put forward.

Also in January, the event organised by the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry kicked off the launch of STEP in Slovenia. The EU STEP Taskforce met there with the dynamic new Slovenian STEP Taskforce. Under STEP, the Slovenian authorities aim to mobilise up to EUR 100 million of cohesion funding across multiple sectors, including for STEP Seal projects and IPCEI, with over hundreds of companies expected to benefit.

Last but not least in January the STEP Taskforce was invited to participate in the STEP Open Days in Portugal. Four sessions took place in Porto, Évora, Faro and Coimbra. The sessions aimed at showcasing the STEP initiative and funding opportunities, exploring the STEP Seals, and engaging in sector-specific roundtables.  

Back in 2024, the STEP Taskforce visited the Baltic States. Early December, the STEP taskforce toured Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to meet with public authorities (Ministries, promotional banks) and private stakeholders (investors, startups, confederations) to promote STEP and gather views on EU funding today, and on how next long-term budget could best support EU competitiveness. 

In November, the STEP Taskforce met delegates from across the EU at the 2024 annual SME week in Budapest. At the SME Envoys’ meeting, contacts were established to ensure that EU funding opportunities arising through STEP re-programming and the STEP Portal are effectively meeting their target: EU research, industry, and businesses.

Also in November Christiane Canenbley, European Commission Director in charge of Revenue and Multiannual Financial Framework, participated in the 6th Trilateral Business Forum, a high level event co-organised by national business associations MEDEF (France), BDI (Germany) and Confindustria (Italy) in Paris, France, where STEP was presented and promoted. 

In October, the STEP Taskforce had key meetings in Bucharest, Romania with the Romanian Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Investments and European Projects, the Ministry of Finance and industrial stakeholders. Opportunities under STEP to boost EU competitiveness were presented.