Policy corner
With the introduction of ‘Missions’ in the Horizon Europe programme, the European Union (EU) is aligning research efforts behind ambitious goals. . In this article, Anna Krzyz anowska, Adviser to the European Commission on ‘Mission Innovation’, sets out what the Missions are and why digital technology plays a pivotal role in their realization.
Mission accepted Finding solutions to our greatest challenges by 2030 A new feature of the
help cities transit to climate neutrality, and
EU
largest public research
ensure healthy soil and food.
far beyond research and innovation to
programme
in
Mission
implementation
will
go
develop new solutions that improve
the
world, Horizon Europe,
Missions combine policy, regulatory and
the lives of Europeans. Their added
EU Missions take on
finance actions to drive innovation in a
value is in operating as a portfolio of
the biggest challenges
variety of sectors and deliver on the EU’s
actions involving different instruments,
of our time in the areas of health, climate
main priorities, including the ‘European
business models and public and private
and the environment. Missions will support
Green Deal’, ‘Europe fit for the Digital Age’,
investments at EU, national, regional and
research, innovation and entrepreneurial
‘Beating Cancer’ and the ‘New European
local levels. For Missions to be successful,
projects to deliver responses, by 2030,
Bauhaus’. The approach targeting cross
support from other European and national
to fight cancer more effectively, help
sector and multi-sector projects will also
programmes will be crucial.
communities adapt to climate change,
seek synergies with the EU’s green and
protect and restore oceans, seas and waters,
digital transitions.
This new collaborative approach across policy areas, involving citizens – including young people – is a chance to move together towards a healthy, green and digital future. The abundance of data and the dropping cost of gathering and processing information have allowed the Missions to establish a clear starting point, choose a measurable ambitious goal and build a robust system for measuring progress. Based on recommendations from data driven
analysis
international
and
the
experience
of
collective Mission
Boards, in September 2021 the European Stella Kyriakides, Mariya Gabriel and Virginijus Sinkevičius at the EU Missions launch in September 2021. Photo credit: © European Union, 2021 4 HiPEACINFO 65
Commission announced five Missions:
