These collaborations, which are part of the Horizon Europe framework, aim to bolster growth, sustainability, and resilience, thereby contributing to a robust, inclusive, and internationally competitive European landscape.
Outlined as critical components in the Strategic Plan for Horizon Europe covering the years 2025 to 2027, these partnerships include:
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European Partnership for Textiles of the Future: This partnership is set to spearhead the transformation of the textile sector towards more sustainable and circular practices, in line with the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles.
It will capitalise on digital innovation and novel business models to maintain and improve Europe’s strategic independence in this domain. The goal is to preserve the industry’s competitiveness and sustainability amid a dynamic international market.
A joint investment of up to €60m($64m), split equally between the commission and private partners from 2025 to 2030, has been earmarked for this partnership.
European Commission prosperity and industrial strategy executive vice president Stéphane Séjourné said: “Today, we take another important step forward in our commitment to strengthen Europe’s industrial landscape. Our new partnership on the future of textiles brings together the commission and industry to drive technological progress and sustainability across the sector. This initiative will accelerate the transition toward a stronger, more competitive and sustainable European textile industry.”
European Partnership for Innovative Advanced Materials for the EU: This partnership aligns with the Communication on Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership, aiming to reinforce technological sovereignty and industrial competitiveness in the realm of advanced materials.
It is designed to meet industrial demands by expediting the design, development, and commercial integration of safe, sustainable advanced materials and related technologies that are suitable for a circular economy.
Investments planned by both the commission and private stakeholders are expected to reach up to €250m each by 2030 for this partnership.
The European Partnership for Innovation in Photovoltaics will see up to €240m each from both the commission and private stakeholders from 2025 to 2030.
These three new partnerships are set to enhance the existing suite of 12 co-programmed partnerships launched under Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-2024.
Following the signing of Memoranda of Understanding, the new co-programmed partnerships will commence through dedicated Horizon Europe Work Programme calls, supplemented by additional investments and activities from partners.
The inaugural funding opportunities under these new partnerships will be integrated into the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025.
A fourth co-programmed partnership focused on Virtual Worlds is slated for launch later this year.
European Commission tech sovereignty, security and democracy executive vice-president Henna Virkkunen said: “Europe’s future depends on its ability to innovate and scale up. By fostering public-private collaboration in emerging and transformative sectors through these new partnerships, we are driving progress in key areas such as advanced materials, solar energy, and textiles. Our pathway to tech sovereignty is clear: we need to transform Europe into a global digital and innovation powerhouse while reducing our reliance on imported technologies.”
