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Environment

Funding for the chemicals strategy

A number of financial instruments support research and innovation to reach the objectives of the chemicals strategy. Some of these are steered by the Commission and others are under the responsibility of Member States.

Recovery and Resilience Facility

The Recovery and Resilience Facility makes funding available to support reforms and investments undertaken by Member States. The aim is to mitigate the economic and social impact of the coronavirus pandemic and make European economies and societies more sustainable and resilient. Providing funding for the objectives of the European Green Deal is clearly part of the objective. Several Member States have already included financial support for the transition to a safe and sustainable chemical sector. Industry and workers will also benefit from generic programmes focusing on electrification, green skills, decontamination and resource-efficiency.

InvestEU Programme

InvestEU aims to support financing and investment operations managed by the implementing partners that contribute to objectives of the Union’s internal policies. The programme aims at boosting investment in four policy windows

  • sustainable infrastructure
  • small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
  • research, innovation and digitisation
  • social investment and skills

Several projects focusing on chemicals have already received funding, ranging from the identification of toxic chemicals in wastewater to the production of biochemicals using algae.

Cohesion Policy Funds

Three funds under the EU Cohesion Policy offer opportunities to support objectives of the chemicals strategy

  • European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the EU by correcting imbalances between its regions. ERDF invests in various thematic areas, including research & innovation, the Digital Agenda, support for SMEs and the low-carbon economy.
  • European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), which invests in human capital, including education, skills adaptation and labour mobility. It also seeks to improve the situation of the most vulnerable people at risk of poverty by promoting their social inclusion.
  • Cohesion Fund (CF) – aims at supporting transport and environmental projects in countries where the gross national income per inhabitant is less than 90% of the EU average.

LIFE Programme

The LIFE programme finances projects in the following areas

  • nature and biodiversity
  • circular economy and quality of life
  • climate change mitigation and adaptation
  • clean energy transition

Several chemical-related projects have already been funded via the LIFE programme, focusing on information for consumers, development of safe and sustainable chemicals or the substitution of the most harmful ones, among other areas.

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the EU’s research and innovation framework programme running from 2021-2027.

Calls for topics relevant for the Chemicals Strategy have already started under the previous Research and Innovation programme - Horizon 2020. These are for the development of innovative solutions to protect health, environment and natural resources from persistent and mobile chemicals and to address the combined exposures to industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Other relevant links

Under the pillar "Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness"

The Just Transition Fund

The Just Transition Fund aims to support regions and people to address the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the transition towards a climate-neutral economy. The fund aims to support projects related to energy production from coal or lignite for example, linked to phasing out activity. It also aims to finance projects linked to transforming sectors that support new activities via the deployment of new technologies, new processes, or products. In particular, it focuses on innovation and research in advanced and sustainable technologies, digitalization and connectivity as well as up-skilling and reskilling of those most vulnerable.

Digital Europe Programme

The main objectives of the Digital Europe Programme are to increase and boost the benefits of digital transformation for public administration, businesses and citizens. The programme will provide funding within 5 areas on: high performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, advanced digital skills and supporting the use of digital technologies across economy and society.

Erasmus+

Erasmus+ focuses on social inclusion, green and digital transition and supports young people’s participation in democratic life. It supports priorities and activities of European Education Area, Digital Education Action Plan, and the European Skills Agenda.