Commissioner’s monthly update

Good morning,

I am happy to announce that the Commission has adopted a Communication on its Global Approach to Research and Innovation, Europe’s strategy for international cooperation in a changing world.

With this new strategy, the EU aims to take a leading role in supporting international research and innovation partnerships, and to deliver innovative solutions to make our societies green, digital and healthy.

To make sure that this openness works, and that researchers can cooperate across borders as easily as possible, we do not only need support from major funders like the EU, but also a clear framework that creates a level playing field on issues like ethical and people-centred research, the fair treatment of intellectual property and reciprocal access to research programmes. We will actively engage with partners who share these values and principles.

I took part in a skills and innovation workshop at the Porto Social Summit on 7 May, a key event of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU. Attended by various Heads of State and government, social partners and Commission colleagues, the Summit gave political impetus to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and its action plan. I emphasised the need for a holistic approach at all stages of education, and the importance of equipping EU citizens with the skills they need for career development, mobility, personal growth and resilience. I also highlighted some concrete actions that can help us achieve this, such as the Erasmus+ Teacher Academies, the promotion of women’s participation in STEM and the European Universities initiative. There was wide consensus that investment in education and skills is essential to prepare Europe to face the challenges of the future.

On 12 May, the Council of the European Union adopted the Regulation establishing the Euratom Research and Training Programme for 2021-2025. The newly adopted Euratom Programme will complement Horizon Europe. It will support research and innovation in areas such as cancer treatment and diagnostics, nuclear safety and fusion. Thanks to Euratom, Europe will maintain world leadership in fusion, nuclear safety, radiation protection, waste management and decommissioning, safeguards and security with the highest level of standards.

I organised, together with the Portuguese Presidency of the EU and the European Parliament, a High-level Nuclear Roundtable with major representatives of nuclear industry and research organisations on the same day. This event was an opportunity to explore the potential of future research and innovation, to increase synergies between nuclear and other sectors, as well as to find joint solutions for attracting and retaining talents in the nuclear sector, so it can contribute to tackling Europe's challenges.

On behalf of the EU and together with ministers from 25 countries, I signed the 3rd Arctic Science Ministerial Joint Statement on 9 May. Climate change is happening faster in the Arctic region, with consequences for sea-level rise and weather patterns that affect the whole planet. Arctic science is therefore an essential area of global responsibility. The Joint Statement signed today shows our collective willingness to join forces in support and commitment to Arctic research and innovation.

On 19 May, I hosted a roundtable with European industry leaders to discuss the importance of research and innovation for the EU’s hydrogen strategy. The European Commission is inviting stakeholders, in Europe and beyond, to accelerate research and innovation in the development of a global clean hydrogen economy, for achieving the targets of the European Green Deal. Cooperation in research and innovation holds the keys to this paradigm shift, and Horizon Europe will spearhead the transition through the launch of a new public-private partnership on Clean Hydrogen and a European Research Area Pilot on hydrogen.

On 28 May, I participated in the Competitiveness Council for Research and Innovation where we received support from Ministers on the European high performance computing partnership, our global approach to research and innovation and our plans for an ambitious European Research Area as cornerstones of the European knowledge society and key to tackle our environmental and social challenges.

I was very happy to launch the Commission Expert Group on quality investment in education and training with a first meeting of members on 4 May. The 15 outstanding experts from across Europe that make up the Group will support the EU and Member States to take effective funding decisions in the education and training sectors during these challenging times.

On 17 and 18 May, I joined European ministers in the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council meeting. The recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and cooperation towards a more resilient, inclusive, and digital future were on the agenda of this two-day meeting, during which several Council conclusions were adopted. We discussed how to support the green and digital transitions, promote innovation, and foster European exchange in their respective policy areas.

Discussions focused on equity and inclusion in education and training, youth participation in decision-making processes, the recovery and sustainability of the creative sector, and sport innovation and diplomacy. I stressed the importance of equity and inclusion as cornerstones of the European Education Area , as well as the need to work together with Member States and stakeholders for the co-creation of a European Strategy for Universities. I also took the opportunity to present a number of actions in support of these goals, from the HealthyLifestyle4All initiative that will be launched in September 2021, to the future EU Youth Coordinator and the launch of a website on EU financing for creative and cultural sectors.

I am happy that the European Parliament adopted three important programmes on 19 May: Erasmus+, Creative Europe and European Solidarity Corps, following constructive plenary debates. The programmes will create opportunities for millions of people, contribute to a green, digital and inclusive Europe, and support our recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. I already opened the first call for proposals for Erasmus+ on 25 March, which is still open for applications.

On the occasion of Europe Day on 9 May, an inaugural event took place to welcome the Conference on the Future of Europe. These festivities followed the launch of the multilingual digital platform on 19 April – a milestone for the Conference, which aims to empower citizens and civil society to have a greater say. The Platform is an interactive tool through which you can share ideas, find events, and follow the Conference’s progress and outcomes in your own language.

Education, Culture, Youth and Sport are among the main priorities of the Conference. I therefore warmly invite all of you to share your ideas and participate in upcoming events and I look forward to inspiring discussions on how to shape our future actions and policies in these fields.

I also welcome the Advisory Group on African-European Research and Innovation Cooperation launched last month.

The group will work until October 2021 and present four evidence-based policy papers showcasing recommendations on how to improve research and innovation strategies as part of a positive agenda between Africa and Europe.

I was pleased to appoint two new members to the Commission’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (GCSA) for the next three years. Professor Eva Zažímalová and Professor Eric F. Lambin were nominated by European Research Organisations and selected by an independent Identification Committee, and will replace Professor Carina Keskitalo and Sir Paul Nurse, whose mandates ended on 15 May 2021.

On 26 May, I launched the new Creative Europe programme (2021-2027), following its adoption in the European Parliament earlier in the month. Over the next seven years, the new programme will support the cultural and creative sectors in Europe with a budget of €2.4 billion. With this significantly increased budget, Creative Europe will strive to reinforce the resilience and recovery of the cultural and creative sectors while promoting the immense diversity and creativity that they offer us. The programme aims to increase the competitiveness of cultural sectors and will support their efforts to become greener, more digital and more inclusive. To that end, all funded actions and projects should respect gender equality and the EU's environmental commitments in the design and implementation of their activities.

In 2021, Creative Europe will allocate an unprecedented budget of around €300 million to help professionals and artists from all cultural sectors to collaborate across disciplines and borders, in order to find more opportunities and to reach new audiences. Today’s adoption of the 2021 annual work programme lays the foundations for the first calls for proposals under the new programme. I invite all organisations active in the relevant cultural and creative sectors to apply.

The New European Bauhaus initiative continues taking shape. I was happy to discuss how we want to live together after the pandemic and the intiative's role in the EU wide recovery of our economies, our societies and our planet, at a European Economic Congress event on 24 May. Applications for the first New European Bauhaus prizes closed on 31 May and eligible entries will be open to a public vote soon. Sign up for the New European Bauhaus newsletter so you do not miss the opportunity to see the entries and decide on your favourites!

Finally, I extend my warm congratulations to Professor Inga Berre, the 10,000^th researcher to be awarded a European Research Council grant. On 6 May, we celebrated all 10,000 ERC grantees. These bright minds from Europe and beyond are pushing the boundaries of our knowledge and providing fundamental research to help us address not only today’s, but also future challenges that are yet unknown.

With best wishes for the month ahead,

Mariya Gabriel

Excellent research needs the best minds from all over the world to work together. It is a strategic priority for the EU. Yet international cooperation in research and innovation is taking place in a transformed global landscape, where geopolitical tensions are rising and human rights and fundamental values are being challenged. The EU’s response is to lead by example, promoting multilateralism, openness and reciprocity in its cooperation with the rest of the world. The EU will facilitate global responses to global challenges, such as climate change or pandemics, respecting international rules and fundamental EU values and strengthening its open strategic autonomy.

More information is available in this factsheet.

Over the next months, the expert group will work on the three main areas that represent the bulk of the education expenditure: teachers and trainers, education infrastructure, and digital education. The Commission will publish a first report on this important work by the end of this year.

The new Creative Europe programme will promote European cultural heritage and support cultural sectors in the region to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. On a political level, the Western Balkans Agenda on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport will provide a forum to discuss the region’s needs and priorities. The cultural sphere is key to bringing people together and enhancing our mutual understanding, and these projects are a crucial step in this process.

During the panel debate “Youth Participation starts here”, on 26 May, Commissioner Gabriel was joined by Michaela Šojdrová, Member of the European Parliament, the Vice-President of the European Youth Forum, as well as a former European Solidarity Corps volunteer to discuss how the new programmes can strengthen young citizens' engagement in decision-making, embrace inclusion and diversity, and strengthen the green and digital transformations.

The 2021 laureate of each country this year was selected by a national jury, made up of experts in the fields of literature, publishing and bookselling. This year’s winners come from Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Iceland, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden and Tunisia.

At this occasion, she congratulated the winning teams of the Digital Education Hackathon 2020. The winning projects tackled challenges of education and training in the digital age: the development of practical skills for remote and distance learning, the importance of addressing skills gaps, and teaching sexual education through digital technologies. The Digital Education Hackathon 2021, hosted by the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, will take place on 9-10 November 2021. Following the awarding ceremony, the Commissioner kicked off the Ministerial Roundtable, underlining that high quality and inclusive digital education is a political priority for the Commission. For the Digital Education Action Plan to bear fruit, close cooperation and dialogue with the Member States is vital and this event was an important step to make high quality digital education a reality for everyone across Europe.

Many of the award winning projects demonstrate that cultural heritage can become a cornerstone for sustainable development and help to build a greener world, contributing to the objective of the European Green Deal and the new strategy on adaptation to climate change. Until 5 September, the public can vote online for their favourite initiative, which will be awarded with the Public Choice Award.

Entries closed on 31 May. Eligible entries will soon be open to a vote among all New European Bauhaus newsletter subscribers. A jury made up of New European Bauhaus official partner organisations will then assess the three projects with the most votes under each category and strand before the prizes are awarded.

Sign up for the newsletter to see the entries and decide on your favourites!

1. The Pilot Project Building investigative capacity to better fight doping in sport in Europe aims to develop systematic capabilities to reduce doping in sport, improve investigation ability and maximise the health benefits of clean sport for European youth.

2. The Preparatory Action Sport as a tool for integration and social inclusion of refugees will promote European integration and inclusion by the direct engagement of refugees and host communities through sport.

3. The Preparatory Action Grassroots sport programmes and infrastructure innovation will help organisations to develop new, modern forms of sport and physical activity, communicate their benefits and develop light sport facilities.

The calls will be managed directly by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). You can apply until 16 June 2021.

Horizon Europe, the European Research Area, the European Innovation Ecosystems, and in-depth discussions around EU priories such as the digital advent, the post-covid recovery and others. Explore the event programme and start shaping your own experience by browsing through sessions and specialised workshops you can attend during the event. Make your selection and get ready to discuss about the most compelling research and innovation themes with panellists and fellow attendees from across Europe and beyond. The European R&I Exhibition, will showcase over 100 EU-funded projects that have impacted on our daily lives! Register here!

Funding opportunities listed in the Work Programme will become immediately available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, where prospective applicants can apply for funding. Researchers, scientists and innovators are encouraged to already explore the programme as well as to participate in this year’s European Research and Innovation Days.

Alliances for Innovation aim to strengthen Europe’s innovation capacity through cooperation and flow of knowledge among higher education, vocational education and training, and the broader socio-economic environment, including research.

Join the info session online to learn more about the policy context, new funding opportunities, and new submission processes. There is no need for prior registration to the event.