Horizon Europe Policy Support Facility

The Policy Support Facility is off to a productive start to 2024! Read on to discover the new Mutual Learning Exercise (MLE) on Public Engagement that will explore ways to involve the public in reseach and innovation. Plus, you will find a recap on the higlights of four ongoing MLEs on Knowledge Valorisation, the Whole of Government Approach, Industrial Decarbonisation and EU missions, including key recommendations their most-recent thematic papers and topic-meeting discussions. 

There is a growing interest across Europe about the importance of getting the public involved in research and innovation (R&I). Research is not just for scientists anymore, and the PSF’s new MLE on ‘Public engagement in R&I’ recognises the value of including and collaborating with everyone in the European society to innovate on research.

The exercise has eight participating countries (Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden) taking part, sharing success stories, experiences and challenges in promoting the public’s participation in R&I. In terms of results, this collaborative dialogue is expected to equip policymakers with the skills and tools they need to level-up public engagement effectively in R&I policy.

Read the Factsheet

Find out more about the MLE on Public Engagement in R&I

Knowledge valorisation is all about creating social and economic value from knowledge by linking different areas and sectors and by transforming data, know-how and research results into sustainable products, services, solutions and knowledge-based policies that benefit society. The MLE’s on knowledge valorisation has recently produced three new thematic reports with fresh recommendations.

The first report focused on getting research talents involved. It recommends attracting, retaining and enhancing these talents by creating a European Researcher's Passport, implementing the European Competence Framework (ResearchComp), and designing specialised courses in entrepreneurship and intellectual assets management.

The second report gives insights on how to make best use of intermediaries such as Knowledge Transfer Offices, Incubators and Accelerators for implementing efficient knowledge valorisation strategies in participating countries. Effective intermediaries have clear missions, develop their skills and resources, provide networking opportunities between various stakeholders, and boost entrepreneurship through Open Innovation business schemes with large enterprises.

The third thematic report discusses the role of multi-stakeholder networks in fostering knowledge valorisation. Highlighting the importance of the public sector for these networks, the report recommends developing a culture of collaboration and trust, creating a mix of support schemes and structures, and sustainable funding.

Read the thematic report on Incentives and Skills

Read the thematic report on Intermediaries

Read the thematic report on Multi-Stakeholder Networks and Processes

Find out more about the MLE on Knowledge Valorisation

We are excited to share that the fourth thematic report of the MLE on the Whole of Government Approach is out now. Drawing from the discussions held in Helsinki in September 2023, this report brings to light the importance of creating a united and holistic government approach for the implementation of industrial technology roadmaps for the green transition.

Going beyond, the report also offers valuable recommendations to help countries to start creating industrial technology roadmaps, suggesting to align their existing governance systems to have similar aims and methodologies, agree on interministerial coordination structures, define shared responsibilities, and create follow-up processes.

In addition, the report highlights the need for balanced stakeholder representation, including the opinions of current industries and emerging sectors like start-ups, research and technology organisations, and civil society organisations whose views are equally important in shaping our green future.

Read the thematic report

Find out more about the MLE on the Whole of Government Approach

The MLE on Industrial Decarbonisation has recently published its second and third thematic reports, on how to transform R&I processes to create a more inclusive and low-carbon future for industry.

The first of the new reports, titled ‘Policy-mix for R&I investments’, proposes a novel approach for deploying industrial research and development (R&D) towards using low-carbon technology. This approach acknowledges the differences of European economies and industries and calls for comprehensive programmes for R&D transformation and better connections between R&I policies.

The most recent thematic report focuses on improving ‘Actors’ Engagement’. It recommends including SMEs and industry associations to find broad solutions and favours collaboration as a way to bridge the gap between theoretical and practical research practices, fostering a shared understanding of decarbonisation. To help align these research methods, the report also lists recommendations like harmonising Public-Private Partnerships with national roadmaps, nurturing cooperative policymaking and encouraging international collaborations as examples.

Read the thematic report on new ways of actors’ engagement 

Read the thematic report on roadmapping for Green Transition

Find out more about MLE on Industrial Decarbonisation

The first thematic report from the MLE on the EU missions offers a fresh perspective on designing national governance structures for the implementation of EU missions. It highlights the need for a tailored approach, adapting governance to different Mission types and development phases, rather than a that a one-size-fits-all strategy. The report recognises potential barriers of government resistance which may hinder progress and provides a set of recommendations to navigate these challenges. Countries can benefit from pre-existing structures but also experience resistance to change. MLE experts recommend strengthening governance capacities, capabilities, skills and incentive structures to deliver on missions.

Read the thematic report

Find out more about MLE on EU missions

Two years after the start of the initiative, the European Commission and Member States pursue their common engagement to hold enhanced dialogues. Italy closed 2023 with its kick-off meeting taking place on 13 and 14 November and to start 2024, Germany will launch the process in Bonn on 20 and 21 February. The discussions will address amongst others the implementation of the European Research Area (ERA), national R&I reforms, research careers and FP10.

In parallel, we are looking forward to organising follow-up meetings with Member States that already had their first dialogues. Those are aiming to continue the discussion on initial topics, take stock of actions pursued after the kick-off but also foster exchanges on new subjects that might be of interest for the Member States. For example, Estonia already held a second round of dialogue in Tallinn on 20 and 21 November 2023 to touch upon, for instance, participation in European Partnerships and the European Innovation Council. Besides, we also encourage the countries that did not yet engage in this process to inform the Commission services of their possible interest so we can start mobilising all internal actors on the R&I topics they wish to discuss.

Find out more on Enhanced Dialogues! 

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The Horizon Europe PSF provides practical support for Member States and Associated Countries to design, implement and evaluate reforms that enhanced the quality of their R&I investements, policies and ecosystems.