EU funded projects single market, innovation and digital
Introduction
Single Market, Innovation and Digital is one of the seven budget categories encompassed within the European funding package of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the NextGenerationEU (NGEU) instrument.
Both budget packages are aimed at economic recovery and progress following the crisis caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. With an EU budget of € 2.018 trillion, the transition to a modern, sustainable and resilient Europe will be steered.
Thus, the Single Market, Innovation and Digital category is the first of seven included in both financial instruments.
Scope and budget
This category is aimed at reinforcing the scope of European funds in areas such as research and innovation, digital transformation, strategic infrastructures and the single market, as key to unlocking future growth.
Thus, programs under this heading will help address common challenges such as decarbonization and demographic change, and boost the competitiveness of businesses, including SMEs.
The total budget available for this project block amounts to €149.5 billion, making it the third largest category of projects to be funded.
Within the Single Market, Innovation and Digital block, the € 149.5 billion will be used to finance a number of subcategories. All funded categories have this division of projects, with Single Market, Innovation and Digital being categorized into:
-RESEARCH AND INNOVATION: €93.72 billion budget
-EUROPEAN STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS: €32.98 billion budget
-SINGLE MARKET: € 6.6 billion budget
-SPACE: € 15,15 billion budget
Project subcategories
Each subcategory has a further division into projects, focused on funding more specific projects, within the fields of research, innovation, digital transformation, strategic infrastructures and the single market.
Each category and subcategory have large amounts of allocated budget, so these divisions into smaller, more specific funding packages help cover the needs of all selected projects.
The table below attempts to illustrate
Category: Research and innovation
Subcategory: Horizon Europe
Scope
Promoting research excellence and providing essential support to the top researchers and innovators to drive the systemic changes needed to ensure a green and resilient EU.
Projects
Research and innovation projects towards recovery and the ecological and digital transitions.
Beneficiaries
Scientists and academics, research organizations, universities, industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, students.
Budget
€ 86,12 billion
Subcategory: Euratom
Scope
Research in the nuclear field, training activities to support the continuous improvement of nuclear safety and thus contribute to the long-term decarbonization of the energy system.
Projects
Studies, training and research on fusion and nuclear safety, radioactive waste management and spent fuel management, radiation protection and ionizing radiation applications.
and spent fuel management, radiation protection and applications of ionizing radiation.
Beneficiaries
Scientists and academics, research organizations, universities, industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, students, etc.
Budget
€ 1,98 billion
Subcategory: ITER
Scope
To demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of nuclear fusion as a future energy source.
Projects
Studies, design, engineering, manufacturing, construction, assembly and installation of different components and systems of the buildings, the machine and the ITER plant.
Beneficiaries
Scientists, architects, engineers, construction and manufacturing companies, industry, etc.
Budget
€ 5,61 billion
Category: European strategic investments
Subcategory: InvestEU Fund
Scope
Carry out investments in sustainable infrastructure, research and innovation, digitalization and social investment and skills across the EU.
Projects
Public and private projects for areas of market failure or investment gaps
Beneficiaries
Public and private investors and project promoters, SMEs and mid-caps, service providers and recipients of microfinancing
Budget
€ 10,28 billion
Subcategory: Connecting Europe Facility: Transport, Energy and Digital
Scope
Accelerating investment in Europe’s transport, energy and digital infrastructure networks, supporting the dual green and digital transition, contributing to the infrastructure goals of the European Green Pact and the digital decade
Projects
Actions of greater value for Europe as a whole and completing missing cross-border links, eliminating bottlenecks and EU-wide schemes
Beneficiaries
SMEs, research organizations, public and private entities established in a Member State or in a non-EU country associated to the program, or created under EU legislation, and international organizations.
Budget
€ 20,73 billion
Subcategory: Digital Europe programme
Scope
Accelerate the recovery and drive the EU’s digital transformation, building its strategic digital capabilities, facilitating the wide deployment of digital technologies, to be used by EU citizens, businesses and public administrations.
Projects
Acquisition of machinery for high-performance computing, creation of data spaces and test and experimentation facilities for artificial intelligence; creation of cybersecurity centers; master’s degree courses on the use of advanced digital technologies….
Beneficiaries
Public and private organizations, industry and SMEs, scientists, academics and universities
Budget
€ 7,59 billion
Category: Single market
Subcategory: Single market programme
Scope
Strengthen the governance and functioning of the Single Market. Implement, enforce and further develop rules in areas such as financial services, anti-money laundering, free movement of capital, consumer protection, food safety, animal and plant health, joint capacity building actions between Member States, and high quality European statistics.
Projects
Studies, projects and actions that contribute to maintaining a high level of food safety, improved consumer protection, enhanced business competitiveness and improved Single Market governance and compliance.
Beneficiaries
Individuals and companies, consumer organizations, statistical institutes, standardization organizations,
authorities in the field of food and feed, animal health and welfare and plant health, members of the Enterprise Europe Network Europe Network
Budget
€ 4,21 billion
Subcategory: EU anti-fraud programme
Scope
Ensure coordination of the fight against fraud and financial, technical and information support to the Member States in their efforts to protect the EU’s financial interests
Projects
Acquisition of specialized and technically advanced equipment and effective IT tools to improve transnational and multidisciplinary cooperation to detect and investigate irregularities, fraud and corruption to the detriment of EU financial interests. Fraud and corruption detrimental to the EU’s financial interests.
Beneficiaries
EU public authorities involved in anti-fraud activities.
Budget
€ 0,18 billion
Subcategory: Cooperation in the field of taxation (FISCALIS)
Scope
This subcategory aims at supporting tax authorities and taxation to improve the functioning of the internal market; it promotes EU competitiveness and fair competition in the EU.
Projects
EU cooperation supports projects through meetings and ad hoc events, IT capacity building actions, human resources and other capacity building actions, studies; innovation activities; and communication actions.
Beneficiaries
EU member states and third countries associated with the program’s tax authorities.
Budget
€ 0,27 billion
Subcategory: Cooperation in the field of customs (CUSTOMS)
Scope
Contribute to safeguarding the financial interests of the EU and the Member States, and help customs administrations to protect against health, environmental and other threats in their role as guardians of the EU’s external border.
Projects
Actions including seminars and workshops, expert networks, communities of interest, operational collaboration teams and project groups; IT capacity building, in particular the operation and development of EU electronic customs systems.
Beneficiaries
EU member states and non-EU countries associated with the program’s customs authorities.
Budget
€ 0,95 billion
Category: SPACE
Subcategory: European Space Programme
Scope
Addressing pressing societal challenges by investing in advanced technologies and innovation, providing useful services to citizens, and ensuring the EU’s strategic autonomy and industrial competitiveness.
Projects
Design, engineering, manufacturing and construction of space and ground infrastructures; development of service applications; research projects and studies; innovation activities; and communication activities.
Beneficiaries
EU space industry, manufacturers, companies and start-ups; scientists and academics.
Budget
€ 14,88 billion
