The European Commission has released the final report presenting the results and conclusions of the second phase of the evaluation study of the European Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation, focusing on activities contributing to the Green Transition.

Horizon Europe (HE), the framework programme for 2021–2027, plays a key role in promoting technological and scientific solutions to address the climate crisis and accelerate the green transition. This report highlights significant achievements in clean energy, resource efficiency, and digital technologies applied to sustainability.

Key Findings:

– Significant Positive Impact: HE has been instrumental in developing innovative renewable energy technologies and advancing the circular economy, which are critical for reducing carbon emissions in the EU.

– International Collaborations: HE-funded projects have fostered global innovation partnerships, enabling valuable knowledge-sharing essential for the green transition.

– Areas for Improvement: The study identified the need for greater involvement of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and increased inclusion of underrepresented countries in consortia.

– EU Added Value: HE has significantly enhanced researcher mobility and access to European expertise. Partnerships and Missions are effective in tackling societal challenges but require improved synergy mechanisms.

The report provides strategic recommendations for the next phase of HE, emphasizing the need to make the green transition more inclusive and accessible across all European regions and societal sectors.

The full report can be found here and the executive summary here.