Commissioner's editorial June

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 10,000th 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