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The European Commission has launched an Automotive Package to support the automotive sector's transition to clean mobility by 2050. This package aims to enhance competitiveness, simplify regulations, and encourage the production of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) within the EU. The Automotive Package establishes a policy framework focused on achieving climate neutrality in the automotive sector while offering manufacturers greater flexibility to meet CO2 targets. Key features include reduced compliance burdens and additional financial support measures, such as a battery booster initiative worth €1.8 billion to bolster the EU's battery production capabilities. From 2035, carmakers must reduce their tailpipe emissions by 90%, allowing certain vehicles to play a role beyond this date, while corporate vehicle initiatives are set to establish mandatory targets for Member States to enhance the market for low-emission vehicles. To drive the uptake of zero- and low-emission vehicles, the package introduces measures like banking and borrowing of emissions allowances and super credits for affordable small electric vehicles. Furthermore, the Automotive Omnibus aims to cut administrative costs, projected to save businesses approximately €706 million annually, and strengthens the EU's competitive edge through reduced red tape and harmonised car labelling rules for consumer clarity. This effort is part of a broader strategy established in response to insights from industry stakeholders during the Strategic Dialogue launched by President von der Leyen in January 2025. Entities interested in exploring these initiatives are encouraged to review the full Automotive Package details through the European Commission's website.
2025-12-22 Agro-Food, EnvironmentThe European Commission, led by DG AGRI, is preparing a new EU Agricultural Research and Innovation (R&I) Strategic Approach, planned for mid-2026. This Strategic Approach aims to secure the long-term competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of the EU’s agri-food sector, forestry and rural areas, and contribute to the objectives of the Vision for Agriculture and Food and other Commission initiatives. They invite interested persons to take part in a short questionnaire designed to gather feedback from key stakeholders across the agricultural, forestry, and rural sectors. You can access the survey here.
2025-12-22 Digital, Industry & Space Digital Europe AI Continent Cybersecurity DefenceFlanders is pursuing an active industry and export policy focused on defence innovation. With the Flemish Innovation and Industry Strategy for Security and Defence (VISD) and a new weapon trading decree, the government plans to help local companies market their technologies internationally. The European defence and security market is rapidly expanding, and Flanders boasts strong companies and knowledge institutions across key domains such as maritime technology, aerospace, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and biotechnology. The VISD aims to convert these strengths into projects ready for national defence, EU, or NATO collaboration and export. To facilitate this, Flanders is bringing together companies, research centres, and government around targeted technological initiatives. Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele announced an initial investment of €5 million, expected to grow to €50 million per year by 2029, to support the development of projects from pilot to effective implementations. This funding is intended to enhance production and export capabilities within the region, supporting the broader context of European security. In addition to investments, VISD provides active support to Flemish companies in finding partners, engaging with European programmes, and accessing test and research infrastructure. Furthermore, initiatives like the 'Defence in Flanders Days' aim to increase visibility for the sector, fostering local production of new technologies. The government is also updating the weapon trading decree, which regulates the transport of military goods and civilian firearms. Given the complex nature of the existing 2012 legislation, the updated framework aims to offer greater legal certainty for companies while aligning closely with European regulations. The goal is to reduce bureaucratic burden and expedite licensing processes where appropriate, ensuring stringent controls to prevent misuse of Flemish technology. The new approach is tailored based on the sensitivity of transactions, simplifying procedures for trade with reliable partners and within recognised cooperative frameworks. Overall, VISD and the updated weapon trading decree are seen as pivotal in fostering innovation and export potential, thereby creating high-tech job opportunities in Flanders.
2025-12-22 Digital, Industry & Space EITThis challenge seeks solutions to enhance engineering efficiency through AI. The call with prizes of up to 500.000 EUR is open from 10 December 2025 until 10 February 2026. Organized by the Paris Region, EIT Manufacturing, Fives, and Michelin, it targets the following organizations in the manufacturing sector: Microbusinesses and small businesses (fewer than 50 employees, with annual revenue or balance sheet not exceeding €10 million) Medium-sized enterprises (fewer than 250 employees, with annual revenue below €50 million or balance sheet not exceeding €43 million) Mid-cap companies (250–4,999 employees, with annual turnover not exceeding €1.5 billion or balance sheet not exceeding €2 billion, and not affiliated with a larger group) Consortia comprising either a public laboratory and one or more private companies, or multiple micro-enterprises, small enterprises, medium-sized enterprises, or mid-sized companies from the EU or Switzerland with a project to launch within six months in the Paris Region. One application per consortium is expected. Applicants can choose from five provided use cases which are explained on the official challenge page or propose other relevant innovations in manufacturing engineering. The highest prize is a grant of EUR 500.000 with varied funding rates depending on the type of organisation. Interested parties are encouraged to visit the official challenge page for detailed guidelines and application information.
2025-12-22 Climate, Energy, Mobility EITThe EIT Urban Mobility is set to continue its efforts in fostering sustainable urban mobility through its Flagship Accelerator Programme, which will run from 2026 to 2028. The programme aims to support early-stage ventures by providing a structured accelerator environment. To establish this programme, they are looking for a consortium of organisations that will be responsible for delivering the full Flagship Accelerator Programme, from startups scouting and selection, to curriculum design and programme closure. The accelerator programme is designed to utilise blended finance, focusing on two primary objectives: maximising the success of early-stage startups and acting as strategic investment catalysts feeding into the EIT Urban Mobility investment strategy. Interested parties can find details and application procedures on the EIT Urban Mobility website. There you can also find a recording of webinar explaining the call. Please note that the deadline for submission is already on 10 February 2026.
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EURHISFIRM designs a world-class research infrastructure (RI) to connect, collect, collate, align, and share detailed, reliable, and standardized long-term financial, governance, and geographical data on European companies. EURHISFIRM enables researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to develop and evaluate effective strategies to promote investment, economic growth and job creation. The RI provides the tools for long-term analysis highlighting the dynamics of the past and the way those dynamics structure our present and future.
The EURHISFIRM European project received € 3.4 million in financing from the European Commission through the H2020-INFRADEV-2017-1 research infrastructures call. The project started with a consortium of eleven research organisations (including University of Antwerp) from seven European countries.
