19 Apr 2023
EC DG R&I publishes results of public consultation on future of EU R&I programmes
The European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG R&I) has published the results of the public consultation on the future of the EU's research and innovation programmes, which closed on 23 February 2023. The publication contains insights into the priorities and concerns submitted by citizens and stakeholders during this consultation.
The public online consultation had invited stakeholders and individuals to share their views on the performance of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe as well as contribute towards shaping the orientations of the next Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027. A total of 2,788 responses and 265 position papers were submitted. Of these, 2,558 responses and 108 position papers responded to the section on the orientation for the Strategic Plan, detailing the priorities and concerns of stakeholders for the future of EU R&I funding.
Respondents indicated that the most important societal challenges are ‘climate change’, ‘energy supply’, ‘loss of biodiversity’ and ‘strained healthcare systems and ageing European population’ over the next 10 years. On the structure of the Strategic Plan, some respondents indicated that the current structure is complex and called for simplifications. Others indicated that the plan is difficult to understand and that the document could be made more accessible.
These insights from the public online consultation provide valuable input and will feed into the ongoing strategic planning process for the next Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025–2027 and the preparations of the next Framework Programme for R&I. A summary of the results will also be included in the Strategic Plan analysis document, to be published by the European Commission in May.
The full analysis of results for Horizon 2020 will be included in the ex-post evaluation of Horizon 2020 towards the end of 2023, whereas the analysis of results for Horizon Europe will be included in the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe towards the end of 2024.
For more information:
EC Synopsis Report: Looking into the R&I future priorities 2025-2027