The European Commission has published the first projects to be awarded the Strategic Technology Platform for Europe (STEP) seal of quality, which highlights promising projects in resource-efficient clean technologies and deep and digital technologies. This designation will help attract additional public and private funding and EU support services.
The first 130 projects awarded the STEP seal aim to develop cutting-edge clean technologies with a focus on energy and industry (Innovation Fund) and digital technologies for space applications (Horizon Europe/Space). Examples of breakthrough innovations include the development of components for masts for offshore wind farms (Poland), the first-of-its-kind marine freight service powered by hydrogen cells (Netherlands), the production of photovoltaic modules (Italy), CO2 for storage (Denmark) and radiation-hardened integrated circuits for space applications (several countries).
The STEP Seal is awarded by the European Commission to all projects contributing to the objectives of the STEP platform, that meet the quality requirements set out in calls for proposals under five EU-funded programmes: Innovation Fund, Digital Europe programme, European Defence Fund, EU Health Programme a Horizon Europe programme.
Projects that have been awarded the STEP seal are listed on STEP portal. The Commission will actively promote these projects to public funders, such as the managing authorities of cohesion policy funds and recovery and resilience plans in Member States, and to private investors.
More specifically, Member States are encouraged to support projects that have been awarded the STEP seal:
- In the framework of cohesion policy funds (ERDF, ESF+): Managing authorities in Member States may accelerate the selection of projects and provide support directly to projects awarded the STEP seal, provided that the operations fall within the scope of the Fund, are in line with the cohesion policy programme and contribute to its specific objectives.
- In the framework of Tools for recovery and resilience: Projects will be considered as a funding priority when Member States review their recovery and resilience plans.
- In the framework of Modernisation Fund: Member States could consider projects as a priority.
- In the framework of InvestEU programme: The Commission will take these projects into account in its "policy check" and the implementing partners will review them in due course.
As a distinction, the STEP Seal should help projects attract private finance, especially from investors looking for low-risk projects with a strong environmental, social and governance profile.
In addition. have counselling services supported by the STEP platform, such as business coaching and networking opportunities, to accompany project promoters at different stages of their projects.
"We focus on 130 pioneering projects that exemplify innovation and sustainability. These projects are proof of Europe's ingenuity and determination to reduce our strategic dependence while strengthening our competitiveness. The seal of the Strategic Technology Platform for Europe (STEP) is more than just a badge - it serves as a bridge between promising ideas and the support they need to thrive, whether through public or private investment," said the Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration Peter Serafin.
Strategic Technology Platform for Europe (STEP) was set up by the EU to support European industry and increase investment in critical technologies in Europe. The STEP platform raises and manages funding in under 11 existing EU programmes three target investment areas: digital technologies and deep-tech innovation; resource-efficient clean technologies and biotechnology. STEP also supports projects that enhance the skills needed to develop these critical technologies. A STEP project must bring an innovative, emerging and cutting-edge element or contribute to the reduction or prevention of the Union's strategic dependencies. Regulation establishing the STEP platform, entered into force in March 2024.
In October 2024, the Commission selected 85 innovative zero net emissions projects that, as part of the calls for proposals for 2023 received a total of €4.8 billion in grants (covering a maximum of 60 % of the total cost) fromInnovation fund. All projects received the STEP seal. 39 unfunded additional projects also received the STEP seal.
On 21 November 2024, the Commission selected six projects to receive a total of €18.2 million from the Horizon Europe programme (Pillar II) under the STEP platform special theme of the 2024 Space Research Call. The selected projects have been awarded the STEP seal and can be found here (v within the topic HORIZON-CL4-2024-SPACE-01-73 - "Space technologies for European independence and competitiveness").
EC/ gnews - RoZ
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