Societal Challenges

The ambition of this report edveloped by the H2020 expert group on climate services is to offer a framework for discussion to the relevant actors and to the stakeholders. It paves the way to shared solutions and pathways facilitating the development of a market for climate services that provides benefits to society. The report offers an essential contribution to achieving the EU objectives of an Energy Union with a forward looking climate policy.

Nature-based solutions simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits by bringing more nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes. This report presents the main findings of the Horizon 2020 Expert Group on ‘Nature-Based Solutions and Re-Naturing Cities’.

In the Report 'Getting cultural heritage to work for Europe' the Horizon 2020 Expert Group on Cultural Heritage aims to promote cultural heritage as a production factor and an investment opportunity for the economy as well as a catalyser for social cohesion and environmental sustainability. The report is both an agenda and a roadmap, outlining the future directions of the EU Research & Innovation Policy in Cultural Heritage until 2020.

An EU-funded project has fed thousands of people on food that would otherwise be wasted in some of Europe’s biggest cities. Raising awareness is part of a strategy to reduce food waste. The project is also examining ways to encourage businesses and households to use food more efficiently and discard less. Its proposals could increase resource efficiency along the supply chain, cut bills for shoppers, and contribute to a sustainable food system.

This year the theme for the conference is Global Outreach: Enabling Cultures and Diversity in Research Management and Administration. This theme reflects the growing need and ambition to reach out and get connected and work together globally. Cooperating not only in the field of scientific research & innovation and higher education but also in the field of research management and administration.

Surveys such as the 2010 Eurobarometer show that people around Europe are worried about what they eat and where it comes from. But what causes this? And does it affect behaviour? An EU-funded project studied consumer choices about shopping, cooking and eating – offering a more accurate picture of what shapes their decisions. The results could lead to better-informed policies on health, sustainability and business.

In the presence of Commissioner Moedas, this conference will bring together some 500 participants from key research and innovation organisations to discuss EU policies on three interconnected topics: Open Science, the European Research Area and Innovation.
Follow the link below for more information, to register and to complete a short survey on the achievements of the Innovation Union.

Ripe, but not too ripe; sweet, but still a bit tart — to make outstanding wine, grapes must be harvested when they are at their best. Choosing the right moment is one of the key decisions of the winemaking process. The WinePen, a low-cost handheld device developed by the EU-funded PREMIVM project, can help. It is based on innovative techniques that can give winegrowers the information they need much faster than conventional tools.

The event offers the opportunity to learn about the state of the art on demand-side innovation policy after a decade of experience and about what companies want the European Union to deliver in the coming years to make markets more innovation-friendly.

Conference attendees will come away with informed outlooks on future innovation policies in the light of the evidence and the context of the current policy orientation in the EU.

This webinar will explain the role of standardization in innovation, and provide you with tools and tips on how to correctly address standards in your project proposal.

We will include concrete case studies of successful research projects which have addressed standardization. A detailed programme will be added closer to the date.

To register your interest please email us at research@cencenelec.eu, with the subject line

End of 2014 the first Horizon 2020 projects were signed. Since then almost four thousand more have been added.

Some 10 years after its completion, the results of the EU-funded project VISIONS are conquering the world of dangerous goods road transport in the form of a real-time cargo monitoring system. The system has been installed in a 1 000 fuel tankers all over the world, facilitating inspections and thus improving safety and efficiency.

An EU-funded project is developing pan-European support mechanisms to help social entrepreneurs spread their innovations across Europe. With a new network of incubators and harmonised approaches to business support, the EU hopes to show the full potential of social innovation across EU countries.

Farming consumes around 70% of the world’s fresh water. Limiting irrigation to the actual water crops need – and no more – makes farming more sustainable and improves yields. An EU-funded project is developing a user-friendly precision irrigation decision support system for more accessible technology that saves water. A first interface will be available next year.

Most of the food produced in Africa is supplied by small-scale farmers, many of whom are struggling. New knowledge could help to boost these micro-operations and their contribution to food security, but smallholders are rarely consulted when research agendas are set. An EU-funded project focused on stimulating the necessary dialogue.

The world produces enough food for everyone, and yet hunger and malnutrition endure. Why is this so, how will the situation evolve, and what can be done to achieve food and nutrition security for all? An EU-funded project is generating new knowledge and preparing recommendations for policy-makers.

Sustainable rural development can only be accomplished by empowering local people to participate in the development of new techniques themselves. In understanding the importance of irrigation for smallholder farmers, the EU-funded EAU4FOOD project has integrated locals within the innovation process.

The Group on Earth Observations is pleased to announce the kick-off of the GEO 2015 Short Video Competition for the GEO-XII Plenary and Ministerial Summit.

Electric vehicles are quiet — too quiet, possibly. Pedestrians and other vulnerable road users don’t always hear them coming. An EU-funded project has developed a solution. This innovative accident prevention system detects persons at risk and warns them by emitting a sound directed at them and them alone.