Interested in investing in cutting-edge industrial technologies in the EU? Get started by checking the dedicated STEP Portal and subscribing to the STEP newsletter. STEP is a one-stop-shop mobilising funding from 11 different EU financing programmes towards industrial projects across three critical technologies sectors: digital technologies and deep-tech innovation; clean and resource-efficient technologies; and biotechnologies.

We look forward to seeing you at our events, in-person or through the web-stream.

Supported by steady investor demand, EU market access in Q1 has remained strong despite the uncertain geopolitical backdrop.

Supported by measures introduced by the Commission over the past years, including the introduction of quoting arrangements on electronic trading platforms in November 2023, trading of EU-Bonds in secondary markets has witnessed a substantial increase in volumes. This is contributing to a marked improvement of price transparency, market depth and liquidity.

On 19th March the Commission tabled a proposal for a new financial instrument (the Security Action for Europe – SAFE) to be financed from EU-Bond issuances. Subject to Member States’ agreement, the European Commission will be called upon to issue up to €150 billion of funding until the end of the decade to help EU Member States increase expenditure on common defence procurement.

The STEP Portal is the unique gateway for EU funding supporting projects in strategic technologies. With 12,000 unique visitors in February, the STEP Portal is becoming more and more popular. If you have not done so yet, have a look!

This May, the Annual EU Budget Conference will bring together a wide array of stakeholders to rethink a future EU long-term budget with policy priorities at the centre by making it more focused, simpler and impactful. Learn more and stay tuned to book your spot when registrations open.

The interim evaluation of STEP is kicking off and your voice matters! In the next days, the Commission will publish a call for evidence. You’ll have up to 4 weeks to submit feedback and contribute to the reflexions on STEP achievements so far and on the scope for further improvements. Stay tuned!

Check the open and upcoming STEP calls on the STEP Portal. Recent published calls include European Defence Fund calls, national and regional calls in Italy! Click below !

Learn more about the programmes under Cohesion Policy that have shifted resources towards STEP in the new interactive map of the STEP Portal. Those amendments will in due course translate into national and regional calls that will be promoted on the STEP Portal. More detailed information here:

STEP Seals are awarded to excellent EU projects selected by the Commission in the digital, clean and biotech sectors. Check out our brand-new interactive map on the STEP Portal to locate these projects! It is constantly updated.

To better coordinate the work on STEP, each Member State nominated a National Contact Point. Simona Grobelnik (Slovene Enterprise Fund) shares the experience of the newly created Slovenian STEP team.

365 days of STEP! One year on since the entry into force of the STEP Regulation on 1 March 2024, a lot has already been achieved to make the EU budget more impactful. Funding for strategic sectors, easier access to calls, promotion of excellent projects, and next steps: Read our article to learn more about STEP achievements.

Mark your calendars now and do not miss the opportunity to discuss how the future EU Budget can act locally and make a difference globally, at the Annual EU Budget Conference 2025!

Now that SUMMA was opened for the anticipated 2025 budget on 21 November, the new chapter of EU financial management has already begun for some of our colleagues: Our colleague Guillermo Jurado, the Fincell team leader in BUDG.R1, is dealing with the 2025 administrative budget. Transactions in SUMMA are his new working reality. We asked him how it is going - and here are his first impressions, insights and advice.

Dear colleagues, as Christmas approaches and 2024 draws to a close, you may feel a special sense of excitement in the air. Something is indeed cooking and a new chapter in EU financial management is just around the corner: SUMMA will be fully operational for the whole Commission and all Executive Agencies from 1 January 2025.

The transition to SUMMA offers many opportunities and benefits - but it also poses a major challenge as change can be difficult. In order to prepare for the roll-out of SUMMA on the ground, a global change management plan is in place to strengthen organisational readiness and facilitate smooth system adoption.

What's the latest on SUMMA? Take a look at this article for a brief summary of recent key meetings and other SUMMA news.

The opening of SUMMA for the anticipated budget 2025 on 21 November marks the first major milestone in the transition from ABAC to SUMMA - and the start of the execution of the cutover plan. While 301,625 business partners have been successfully loaded and end users have been granted access to the platform, technical and data migration activities will continue until the end of January to ensure a seamless transition to SUMMA.

The end of the year and the festive season are just around the corner. 2025 will be an important year for the European Commission, full of exciting challenges. So, what better way to start the year than with a new corporate accounting, financial and budgetary system of the EU?