Research and Innovation: regions want the next Framework Programme to rely on increased funding and a stronger local dimension

Local and regional leaders have called for a more ambitious and stable budget for the EU's new Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10), scheduled for 2028-2035, to ensure that the Union remains a leader in innovation. During the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) plenary session on 9 October, they advocated for FP10 to prioritise local innovation ecosystems and strengthen synergies with cohesion funds as a means of ensuring a fair distribution of innovation investments between European regions

With discussions beginning on the FP10, and a month after the Draghi report highlighted research and innovation (R&I) as the key to the Union's competitiveness, the CoR adopted, in an opinion drafted by Anne Besnier (FR/PES), Vice-President of the Centre-Val de Loire region, a set of recommendations for the future EU R&I policy, which will come into force in 2028 and will last for seven years. The CoR is the first EU body to adopt a position on the next Framework Programme.   

Regions and cities defended a significant increase in the 10th Framework Programme budget, pointing out that funding all eligible projects for the current programming phase would require a budget increase for Horizon 2020 of €25 billion per year. They urged Member States to honour their commitment to allocate 3% of their GDP to research and development and argued that the next budget must be safeguarded from cuts and reallocations.   

FP10 should promote synergies between European funds, especially with cohesion policy, to ensure more balanced development between regions, CoR members said. They argued that the EU's future Multiannual Financial Framework should provide for multiannual R&I programming that combines different funding sources to optimise resources. They also recommended greater flexibility in the implementation rules, allowing uniform rules to be applied to projects funded from various sources.   

A place-based approach in the next FP is critical to strengthening the European Research Area, the opinion argues. It emphasises that increasing the participation of regions that are less advanced in R&I – including islands, outermost and mountainous regions – is crucial to the Union’s efforts to increase its economic and scientific competitiveness while fostering territorial cohesion. Apart from measures to support capacity-building and provide technical assistance to such regions, the opinion recommended the use of the European Regional Innovation Scoreboard to increase their participation.    

The CoR calls for the next FP to be better linked to Smart Specialisation Strategies, which have proved to be a powerful driver of regional and local innovation. It also welcomed the New European Innovation Agenda and the Regional Innovation Valleys as effective tools to promote a place-based approach to innovation.   

Finally, local and regional leaders underlined that, for FP10 to succeed, it is essential to strengthen citizens' active participation in its implementation, with municipalities and regions as strategic partners to facilitate the uptake of results. They proposed testing new measures inspired by the New European Bauhaus lab Voucher Scheme in cooperation with cities and regions.    

Quote:  

Rapporteur Anne Besnier (FR/PES), Vice-President of the Centre-Val de Loire region: "The objectives of scientific excellence and territorial cohesion in terms of R&I are not incompatible. Widening participation in the next Framework Programme for research and innovation by prioritising a place-based approach that allows regions less advanced in R&I to get onboard ultimately strengthens the European Research Area overall and the EU's global competitiveness. Regions and cities are key enablers in this regard."   

Background:   

• The European institutions should reach an agreement on the next FP10 by the end of 2026. In 2027, the European Commission will prepare the Framework Programme, which will come into force in 2028 and last until 2036.  

• Enrico Letta's report on the single market, published in April 2024, suggests creating a fifth pillar: research and innovation. 

• The High-Level Group's report on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe will be published in late 2024. It aims to provide an independent and external perspective on the evaluation of the Framework Programme. The Expert Group will draw up strategic recommendations to maximise the impact of EU research and innovation programmes.  

• A new European innovation agenda (CoR opinion, 2022). 

• A new European Research Area (ERA) for research and innovation (CoR opinion, 2020). 
• A renewed European agenda for research and innovation (CoR opinion, 2018).