On September 19th, the European Commission published the second Biennial Monitoring Report on European Partnerships and the state of Research and Innovation (R&I). This report, launched in 2021 alongside the Horizon Europe programme, aims to keep the R&I community informed on key developments within the European Partnerships framework. This report is part of a series, with two more scheduled for release in 2026 and 2028, and serves as a comprehensive review of the progress made so far.
The report provides a detailed analysis of the performance and impact of which are collaborative frameworks involving the EU, private and public stakeholders—including industry, research institutions, and governments. These partnerships are designed to tackle global challenges through coordinated research and innovation initiatives. By collecting data on finances, contracts, and partnerships, the report helps assess achievements to date and offers insights for improving the management and effectiveness of these collaborations in the coming years.
Since this is the second report, it’s useful to see if there are any developments or improvements from the previous one.
The 2024 Biennial Monitoring Report highlights significant progress in several key areas, including enhanced financial leverage, greater alignment with EU strategic goals, improved governance and efficiency, better coordination and synergies, and more comprehensive data collection. It also addresses the challenges outlined in the 2022 report and sets the stage for continued improvements leading up to the next review in 2026.
Improved Financial Leverage: There has been stronger financial alignment between the EU and its partners, with increased contributions from member states and private stakeholders. This marks a significant improvement in leveraging private investments, which was a concern in 2022. Partnerships have more effectively utilized public funding to attract private co-investment, creating a more sustainable funding ecosystem.
Advancements Toward EU Strategic Goals: In 2022, partnerships were still in the early stages of aligning with EU priorities, such as the European Green Deal and digital transformation. The 2024 report shows substantial progress, with projects now delivering concrete results in critical areas like climate action, energy transition, health innovation, and digitalization.
More Efficient Governance and Coordination: Compared to 2022, governance structures and stakeholder coordination have significantly improved. These changes have led to smoother project execution and better monitoring, resulting in more effective and timely delivery of outcomes.
Enhanced Synergies Across EU Initiatives: The 2024 report provides clearer evidence of partnerships working in harmony with other EU funding mechanisms, such as the Digital Europe Programme and the European Innovation Council, as well as national R&I initiatives. This alignment has helped reduce overlaps and maximize resource utilization, enhancing the overall impact of the partnerships.
Better Data Collection and Metrics: The 2024 report benefits from more mature and comprehensive data, allowing for a more accurate assessment of the partnerships’ contributions to research and innovation. This includes improved metrics on research outcomes, societal impact, and the scaling of innovative solutions, which provide a clearer picture of progress.
Overall this report points out the EU can play a major role in European Partnerships and the Research & Innovation (R&I) sector. The progress and improvements highlighted in this document demonstrate that with continued commitment and effort, the EU has the potential to further enhance its position in R&I—a field that can generate substantial economic returns and strengthen Europe’s global competitiveness. This perspective aligns with insights from the Draghi report and our previous Euroricerca news. By maintaining a strong focus and building on the achievements outlined, the EU has the opportunity to make a significant leap forward by the 2026 report, further solidifying its influence and leadership in this critical domain.