National launching of Horizon Europe: 95.5 billion EUR for research and innovation

Ministry of Science and Education organized a national launch of the leading European programme for research and innovation with a budget of 95.5 billion EUR, Horizon Europe.

Launching, which had over 820 registered participants, was held virtually on March 23rd 2021. 

Minister of Science and Education, Professor Radovan Fuchs, PhD, had the welcoming address during which he emphasized the importance of reaching European standard of excellence and the necessity of empowering international competitiveness of Croatian research and innovation community. Director of Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes, Antonija Gladović, has pointed out the important role of the national support system for the participation in the Framework programme for Research and Innovation, and especially National Contact Points. The introductory part of the Launch was concluded by the Commissioner for innovation, researcher, culture, education and youth, Mariya Gabriel, with the reaffirming messages for Croatian scientific community and other stakeholders in Croatia that are involved in the process of Horizon Europe programme implementation.

A plenary session on the role of research and innovation in support of Union’s recovery and resilience was moderated by Hrvoje Meštrić, PhD, on behalf of Ministry of Science and Education. Along with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Nataša Mikuš Žigman, and State Secretary of Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, Professor Stipan Jonjić, PhD, participated as a representative of scientific community, and Director-General of the Directorate General for Research and Innovation, Jean-Eric Paquet, spoke on behalf of the European Commission.

As a part of the national presentation of Horizon Europe, representatives of European Commission gave not only a general overview of Programme’s structure, but also presented specific parts of the Programme, such as missions, partnerships, European Innovation Council and financial novelties when it comes to project implementation. Also, due to the immense interest from the participants, Commission representatives gave answers to a whole array of questions so as to motivate the participants to apply to Horizon Europe and to introduce them to the available opportunities. 

Finally, presentation of the national support system to the participation in the Programme was held by the representatives of the Ministry of Science and Education. Structure of the national support and roles of its stakeholders, along with the official national webpage were presented, along with planned measures aimed at strengthening coordination, participation and success of Croatian applicants in the forthcoming Horizon Europe programme.

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