Horizon 2020 (H2020) is the main directly managed funding program of the European Commission for scientific research, technological development and innovation, operational from 1 January 2014 until 31 December 2020.
For the 2014-2020 programming period, it has one of the highest allocated budgets in the world: almost 80 billion euros. It brings together in a single framework the initiatives that, until December 2013, were provided for by the Framework Program for Research and Technological Development (7FP), by the Framework Program for Competitiveness and Innovation (CIP) and those related to the Institute European for Innovation and Technology (EIT), all aimed at strengthening the EU's global position in research and innovation by 2020.
H2020 is divided into 3 main pillars that have specific and dedicated Research and Innovation Programs and Themes, presented below: Scientific excellence - The 4 programs of this first Pillar are aimed at rewarding excellent and frontier research projects ( ERC), the initial and continuing training of researchers and staff operating in the field of research and innovation as well as industry-academy partnerships and EU doctorates (MSCAs), emerging technological sectors with ICT focus (FET) and European research infrastructures (including e- infrastructures), all to make Europe a pole of scientific and innovative excellence both in terms of personnel and infrastructures; Industrial leadership - the pillar contains a first program of typically industrial technology sectors (LEIT: Space, ICT, nanotechnology, materials and biotechnology) and two other programs (Access torisk finance and COSME) mainly designed for enterprises, including SMEs, with the objective of promoting EU economic growth · Social challenges - 7 social challenges have been identified to which Europe will have to respond by 2020, precisely through a bottom-up approach to planning and responding to published calls / calls:
Health and rare or aging-related diseases,
Food security, sustainable agriculture, marine research and bioeconomy,
Energy including energy efficiency and alternative energy sources,
Intelligent and integrated transport,
Environment and climate change,
· Social sciences (safe, inclusive, innovative societies) with tenders also on Cultural Heritage
· Security, including cyber security.
BENEFICIARIES
Any legal entity of various nature established in a Member State and / or country associated with the EU can access all the research and innovation themes programs indicated above (by associated country we mean all those countries that have signed a scientific and technological cooperation agreement with the EU, currently about 15, including for example Turkey, Israel and the Balkan countries) and organizations established in all third countries / non-EU countries, therefore access to EU tenders and funding is allowed on a wave scale. Therefore, both universities and research centers are eligible, but also businesses, including SMEs, non-profit organizations and public bodies, including the Regions and Municipalities. The funds are available for cross-border research projects, therefore open to European and international partners and for public-private partnerships with specific and detailed objectives: generally a minimum of 3 must participate in the projects
subjects / organizations also of various legal nature, each of which must be established in a Member State and / or country associated with the EU.
FINANCING PERCENTAGES
All projects, regardless of the program / theme of interest, call for proposals and type of financing scheme, guarantee a non-repayable coverage of the eligible costs for public bodies equal to 100%, plus a grant (always non-repayable) of the general expenses equal to 25% of the eligible costs.
WHAT FINANCES
Horizon 2020 finances projects of scientific research, technological development and actions aimed at innovation, which have a significant impact on the quality of life of European citizens, and which therefore transfer important innovative ideas from the laboratory to the market. In particular, the 2016-2017 Work Plans, and related calls for interest, provide for 16 billion euros and almost 600 research and innovation themes that aim to support the political priorities of the European Commission, among which are listed:
· occupation
· Growth
· Investments
· Digital Single Market
· Union of Energy and climate change policies
· Consolidation of Europe's role as a global player
Among the lines of action in the field of environmental sustainability for the next two years there are calls / tenders for smart and sustainable cities, tenders for the environment, energy and transport for 232 million euros and for energy efficiency, 194 million euros and for 'low carbon energy, 723 million. The programming for the next two years also supports a series of transversal initiatives to promote digital technological development and social inclusion activities and the connection of local and EU stakeholders with public bodies in all the topics listed above.
MAIN AREAS OF INTEREST FOR MUNICIPALITIES - PILLAR SOCIAL CHALLENGES: SC2 AGRICULTURE
Objective: To ensure a sufficient supply of safe and high quality food and other products of biological origin, developing productive primary production systems, based on efficient use of resources, promoting related ecosystem services, together with competitive and low supply chains. carbon emissions. This will accelerate the transition towards a sustainable European bioeconomy. The focus is on: sustainable agriculture and forestry; enhance production performance and tackle the issue of climate change, while ensuring sustainability and 1 The mapping is not exhaustive in the pre-determined programs and in the available calls: it is recalled that Municipalities can participate in partnership in all themes and H2020 programs; providing public goods and ecosystem services; acquisition of the autonomy of rural areas, support for rural policies and innovation; a sustainable and competitive agri-food sector for a safe and healthy diet; conscious consumer choices; healthy and safe food products and diets for all; a sustainable and competitive agri-food industry; unlocking the potential of aquatic biological resources; sustainable and environmentally friendly fishing; for a competitive European aquaculture; accelerate marine innovation through biotechnology.
PILLAR SOCIAL CHALLENGES: SC3 ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Public Bodies, including MUNICIPALITIES and not just Regions, play a key role in reducing EU energy consumption and increasing the capacity and use of renewable energy sources. Europe is paying close attention:
- the reduction of energy consumption through the intelligent and sustainable use of new forms of energy supply, through the promotion of smart cities and smart communities and the supply of low-cost and low-emission electricity;
- the development of the full potential of wind energy, efficient, reliable and cost-competitive solar energy systems, the use of competitive and environmentally safe technologies for the capture, transport and storage of CO2; hydroelectric, geothermal, marine and other options in the field of renewable energies, alternative fuels and mobile energy sources;
- to make bioenergy competitive and sustainable, to reduce the time-to-market of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies;
- the use of new alternative fuels to the creation of a single intelligent European electricity network.
It also aims at significant decision-making and public commitment for the benefit of markets and consumers. There is therefore a need for an innovative approach by Public Bodies in the development, financing and implementation of ambitious energy policies and plans, based on reliable analysis and data. Public actors should be encouraged to look at high energy saving potential sectors for buildings, industry and urban mobility. The geographical scope of the initiatives must demonstrate the European added value of the projects presented.
PILLAR SOCIAL CHALLENGES: SC4 INTELLIGENT AND INTEGRATED TRANSPORT
The general objectives of the 2016-2017 work plan can be summarized in eight key points: improving energy efficiency and the efficiency of use of resources; accelerate automation in road transport; support the identification of innovative mobility solutions; modernize infrastructures by increasing their resilience and use; optimize the efficiency and interoperability of transport systems; improve the overall security of the system; anticipate technological developments and their impact on industrial competitiveness; understand the demographic trends and social developments taking place.
PILLAR SOCIAL CHALLENGES: SC6, CULTURAL HERITAGE AREA
The European Commission has announced that for the period 2016-2017 it will allocate over 100 million euros to initiatives for the protection and enhancement of the Union's cultural heritage, as an integral part of the human, cultural and socio-economic capital of the Union. EU. Expectations include: enhancing the heritage of urban centers by sharing knowledge, experiences and best practices; promoting the landscape heritage and supporting projects for the protection of cultural heritage that promote social inclusion and knowledge; develop innovative business models for cultural heritage.
Europe must maximize the intrinsic, economic and social value of cultural heritage. It should be at the center of heritage-based innovation that is able to seize the opportunities brought about by digitization and promote our experience in the field of cultural heritage around the world. Across the EU we need to encourage a closer approach to citizens in heritage sites and museums, making use of new techniques and technologies, and also involving public bodies.