The Republic of Moldova signed an agreement on participation in the EU’s flagship research and innovation funding program Horizon Europe for 2021-2027. The country will obtain participation rights similar to those of the EU member states and this will enable it to cooperate as a fully-fledged partner in all the contests announced as part of this program, IPN reports.
According to the Government’s press service, the program continues the efforts of the flagship research and innovation program Horizon 2020. Since 2014 until present, the Republic of Moldova benefitted from €7.4 million in the framework of the program Horizon 2020. The success rate of the eligible project proposals is 14%, being higher than the average for the associated states of the region.
The main objectives of Horizon Europe are to accelerate the green and digital ‘twin transition’, to strengthen resilience and crisis preparedness and to support Europe’s global competiveness.
The program is based on three pillars. The Excellent Science Pillar aims to increase the EU’s global scientific competitiveness. It supports frontier research projects driven by top researchers through the European Research Council, funds fellowships for experienced researchers. The Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness Pillar supports research relating to societal challenges and reinforces technological and industrial capacities through clusters. The Innovative Europe Pillar aims to make Europe a frontrunner in market-creating innovation via the European Innovation Council.
In a meeting with EU Commission for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița expressed her confidence that the program will contribute to developing research and innovation in the country and to integrating the state into the European Research Space. Currently, ten universities in Moldova use the HEInnovate self-assessment tool. Moldova is interested in further taking part in European projects concerning digital, education, employment of the youth and realization of the potential of young entrepreneurs.
The Premier spoke about the Moldovan government’s actions aimed at reforming the education system, organizing the education process during the pandemic, supporting research and innovation. In this regard, the officials underlined the importance of Moldova joining the new Creative Europe Program and taking part in the EU4Culture project that aims to design cultural development strategies.
