Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
This action will support innovation procurement specialist advisory services that will act as the intermediary between public procurers and innovative suppliers, bridging those gaps that hamper the progress in the integration of innovative solutions in the public sector. With these innovation procurement specialist advisory services, it is expected to overcome the fragmentation and dispersion of public procurement across the EU, enhancing the coordination on procuring innovative solutions within Member States and Associated Countries.
Detailed Call Description
The innovation procurement specialist advisory services are expected to have several main competencies which will help them achieve their goals:
- Specialised knowledge on one or more market sector(s) and increased awareness of the national, regional, or local innovative start-ups and SMEs which are active in their sector(s) of specialisation;
- Strong awareness of market opportunities that exist in their sectors of expertise, namely relevant competitions and calls which are open or planned at national, regional, and local levels;
- Good understanding of both what public procurers demand, but also what innovative suppliers could provide;
- Good technical background on their sectors, being in the position to assess the technical solutions proposed and the potential implications which could emerge from the implementation of an innovative solution. This way, the innovation procurement specialist advisory services should be able to explain to the public buyers the function of the proposed innovative solutions and clarify technical aspects which could negatively affect their risk perception;
- Thorough knowledge of relevant procurement procedures. Consequently, the advisory services should be able to provide clarity in the legal framework for both public buyers and suppliers and eliminate uncertainties that could emerge;
- Strong knowledge of and good connections to innovative SMEs and the start-up environment, including the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the EIT, as well as other EU and national networks (European Enterprise Network, Startup Europe, etc.).
The innovation procurement specialist advisory services are expected to facilitate the essential change of culture of public procurers regarding the adoption of innovative solutions by diminishing their resistance to change and risk-averse perceptions.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
100%
Expected EU contribution per project: € 1 000 000
Thematic Categories
- Industry
- New Entrepreneurship
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
Eligibility for Participation
- Local Authorities
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
This action requires the participation of at least three (3) independent legal entities, established in three (3) different Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, of which at least one (1) is established in a ‘moderate’ or ’emerging’ innovator region and at least one (1) in a ‘strong’ or ‘innovation leader’ innovator region.
Target group(s): Public and private procurers, state-owned enterprises, SMEs and start-ups, research and technological organisations, innovation agencies and other public bodies responsible for promoting innovation procurement, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Research and Innovation Foundation
29a Andrea Michalakopoulou, 1075 Nicosia
P.O.Box 23422, 1683 Nicosia
Τelephone: +357 22205000
Email: support@research.org.cy
Website: https://www.research.org.cy/en/
Contact Person:
George Christou
Scientific Officer
Email: gchristou@research.org.cy
Nedi Κaffa
Scientific Officer
Email: nkaffa@research.org.cy
EU Contact Point
European Innovation Council: https://eic.ec.europa.eu/contact-form_en