The Program Launch Conference horizon europe, linked to the celebration events of the 30th anniversary of the UJI, ended today with a session dedicated to global challenges and European industrial competitiveness, with the online assistance of more than 570 participants. The meeting, organized within the framework of the Generalitat Valenciana Strategy for national and regional coordination in R&D&i, aims to increase and improve the participation of all agents of the Valencian Community in the Program Horizon Europe.
This event is an initiative of the Universitat Jaume I and the Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness (IVACE), together with the Network of Technological Institutes of the Valencian Community (REDIT) and the Enterprise Europe Network for companies in the Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia (EEN-SEIMED). The second session of the Conference was inaugurated by Jordi Sebastian, director of external relations of IVACE, and by Gonzalo Belenguer, general director of REDIT.
Sebastian He stressed that “this conference is an example of the entities' commitment to research and the business community.” The director of external relations at IVACE has highlighted the proactive nature of the territory: “the Valencian fabric in all its forms – universities, companies, research personnel – is innovative, dynamic and seeks improvements that horizon europe can offer you.” Belenguer has highlighted the opportunities it offers horizon europe and the willingness of technology centers to “continue betting on European projects that fit into their strategic lines.”
Next, presentations took place on pillar 2 of the Program Horizon Europe: Global challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, by experts from the CDTI and FECYT. Carolina Carrasco, from the CDTI, has presented the details of Cluster 1 Health and Nicolas Ojeda, from FECYT, has broken down the topics that correspond to Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society. On behalf of the CDTI, Maite Boyero has advanced some key data and dates regarding Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society. Enrique Pelayo, Nieves González, Carlos Toledo and Andrea Pérez-Carro, from the CDTI, have provided data on the calls for Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space. The news from Cluster 5 Climate, Energy and Mobility has been conveyed to the attendees, from the CDTI, Cristina Garrido, Julio Dolado and Juan Carlos García, who has also presented the details of Cluster 6 Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, which will have a budget of €9 billion.
After the presentations, a pitching session was held for the presentation of 12 ideas or proposals by potential project coordinators from the Valencian Community who are looking for partners for future calls. A total of 12 proposals have been presented, 4 by research groups from the Universitat Jaume I, 2 by PhotonicSENS, 2 by the Polytechnic University of Valencia, in addition to the ITI, Finnova Foundation, Space Farmers and Ecovending.
The meeting was closed by Jesus Lancis, vice-rector for Research and Transfer of the Universitat Jaume I (UJI), who highlighted: “In the Valencian Community we have two great challenges before us: continuing with the work of internationalization and increasing the competitiveness and productivity of our companies, challenges that are addressed and considerably strengthens the program horizon europe”.
The Center for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI); The Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT); the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities; and the National Contact Point for Research Infrastructures in Horizon Europe have collaborated in the organization of this conference, which was held for two days in virtual format via videoconference.
ABOUT THE EUROPE HORIZON PROGRAM
Within the framework of the budgets of the European Commission for the period 2021-2027, horizon europe is the most ambitious Research and Innovation Framework Program to date, aiming to keep the European Union at the forefront of global investment and innovation.
With a budget of around 100,000 million euros, the main objectives of horizon europe They are: strengthening the scientific and technological bases of the European Union; stimulate innovation capacity, competitiveness and jobs in Europe; meet citizens' priorities and support the socioeconomic model and values of the European Union. These funds are structured based on the three fundamental pillars of the program, which are Open Science; Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness; and Open Innovation.
It is expected that horizon europe generates new knowledge and technologies and has positive effects on growth, trade and investment, as well as significant effects on society and the environment. Each euro invested by the program may generate a return of up to eleven euros of GDP over a period of twenty-five years. Union investments in R&I are expected to lead to the direct creation of up to 100,000 new jobs in R&I-related activities during the 2021-2027 investment phase.
