Digital information event on the Eureka initiative
On June 12, around 15 participants from the NRW Cluster community, along with other interested parties, came together for the digital exchange format NRW Clusters meet… to discuss the Eureka initiative. EUREKA is the world's largest network for promoting cross-border, market-oriented research and development projects. Its goal is to strengthen the international competitiveness of SMEs in particular through innovation-driven collaborations.
The initiative offers a range of funding instruments, such as open-topic network projects, the SME-focused Eurostars program, the strategically oriented Eureka clusters, the Globalstars format for cooperation with third countries, as well as Innowwide and Investment Readiness. These formats enable flexible participation in international projects across different technology fields and at various stages of development.
Cluster organizations can use EUREKA to support their members in developing international R&D projects and to strategically establish international collaborations – thus playing a crucial supporting role. They can participate in thematic calls for proposals, utilize matchmaking formats to find partners, or expand existing networks internationally via EUREKA. Participation in existing EUREKA clusters or the initiation of new thematic clusters is also possible, provided that appropriate partners are involved and national funding priorities are taken into account.
A key focus of the event was also on the current calls for proposals within the Eureka program, particularly the call for Circular Value Creation (CVC). This call is aimed at international project consortia from research and practice that want to develop innovative, market-oriented solutions for circular products, processes, and services. In this context, Cornelia Schwizer from ZENIT GmbH presented the accompanying digital matchmaking platform, which enables organizations from over 17 countries to find partners and network effectively. The platform offers structured search profiles, facilitates contact, and thus actively supports the formation of successful project consortia.
Interregional research and innovation collaborations are crucial for leveraging complementary strengths and enhancing the competitiveness of European regions. The European funding initiative Eureka, with its open, application-oriented structure, offers diverse approaches to the strategic internationalization of innovation activities. The instruments, funding opportunities, and the role of clusters within Eureka were the focus of the initiative's presentation by Dr. Bojan Hörnich, Eureka Project Officer at the DLR Project Management Agency.
Source: www.nrwinnovativ.de
