Joining forces for strategic tech in the EU: First in-person STEP event with representatives of Member States

In a bid to boost innovation and technological excellence across the European Union rapidly, the Commission-managed Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is consolidating its working relations with EU Member States. On 7 November 2024, representatives from all over the EU gathered in Brussels for the first in-person STEP National Contact Points gathering, marking a new successful moment for the initiative.

The event focused on the mobilisation of funds towards STEP, with presentations from Member States on their experiences and best advice with reprogramming Cohesion Policy funds and awareness raising on the opportunities under the InvestEU MS-Compartment.

The gathering brought together representatives from 24 Member States. The STEP National Contact Points play a key role in mobilising EU funding towards STEP technologies and promote STEP opportunities towards research and industry in their Member States and regions.

STEP provides the opportunity for Member States to reprogramme funds to support projects in critical STEP technologies. For the first cut out date of the end of August 2024, 6 Member States reprogrammed funds towards STEP priorities under Cohesion Policy for a total allocation of approximately EUR 6.2 billion. Spearheaded by the Directorate General for Budget of the European Commission, the STEP taskforce works closely with 13 other Directorate-Generals of the European Commission and a large range of stakeholders.

"Member States are instrumental to the success of STEP. Today, the active engagement of STEP National Contact Points in our Brussels event created the joint ownership we need to advance on what we want to achieve: Mobilising EU funds for strengthening the innovation and development in strategic sectors of the EU. The momentum for STEP is high, and we're committed to collectively bring it to the next level in 2025," said Christiane Canenbley, acting Director in charge of Revenue and Multiannual Financial Framework and Chair of the network.

The next physical meeting is scheduled for June.

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