During a period when research and innovation (R&I) policy is increasingly entangled with geopolitics, the EU needs effective solutions to strengthen its engagement with international partners, including developed countries as well as Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
Following the recent European Commission proposal for the next iteration of Horizon Europe (the 10th Framework Programme, or FP10), this roundtable brings together policymakers, experts and stakeholders to reflect on lessons learned and to discuss prospective solutions for moving forward.
Some of the key issues to be addressed during the discussion include:
- FP10 and governance options to tackle global challenges, including the creation of a Council for Global (Societal) Challenges.
- The rationale and available options to boost cooperation with the EU’s international partners, including LMICs, through ensuring accessibility, inclusivity and mutual benefit.
- How to position the EU as a leader in pursuing solutions to global challenges through effective multi-stakeholder R&I partnerships.
As advocated in recent CEPS publications (see Towards an Ambitious FP10 and Making Europe’s Research and Innovation Programme an engine of global development ), FP10 has the potential to strengthen Europe’s role in international R&I cooperation. Our recent report ‘Does EU R&I policy involve low- and middle-income countries?’ proposes a rethink of the EU’s approach to R&I cooperation with LMICs, while ‘European and global cooperation R&I – case studies and lessons learned’ explores the significant, yet still untapped, potential of multi-stakeholder R&I partnerships.
This roundtable will gather expert insights and inform CEPS’ ongoing work on how to shape EU R&I policy for addressing global challenges. Specifically experts from LMICs will provide their perspective about current collaboration with the EU, and their needs and recommendations for the upcoming R&I framework programme to ensure impactful collaboration.
