PRAXI Network: “Clusters in Horizon Europe”

On Friday, January 21, 2022, the PRAXI Network‘s informative event on “Clusters in Horizon Europe” was held with the support of the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation.

The aim of the workshop was to inform the research community from representatives of the European Commission and to discuss with the National Representatives and the National Contact Points about funding opportunities in clusters 2, 5 and 6 in Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe.

Participants were informed about funding opportunities on issues such as Transport, Climate Change, Energy, Environment, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Governance, Cultural Heritage and Socio-Economic Transformation, as well as on the “Missions” in Research and Innovation. At the same time, they asked their own questions to the speakers and there were extremely useful clarifications and guidelines.

The event was welcomed by the General Secretary for Research and Innovation, Professor Athanasios Kyriazis, who stressed the importance that our country attaches to the largest Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, amounting to 95.5 million euros. “The participation of all actors of the Greek ecosystem will contribute to the better transformation of the knowledge produced for the creation of smart cities, the stimulation of the creative and cultural industry, the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as the creation of products and services in the context of the green and digital transition”, said Mr. Kyriazis, making special reference to the field of culture, which is a priority for the country. In cooperation with NCRI (National Council for Research and Innovation), an emblematic action of the recovery fund will be dedicated exclusively to this sector, noted Mr. Kyriazis.

The event was attended by representatives of the European Commission, who referred to the funding opportunities from the Clusters of Horizon Europe. Specifically:

Mr. Panagiotis Balabanis (Head of Sector, Directorate B ‘Healthy Planet’ Unit B.1 ‘Circular Economy & Biobased Systems’, DG Research & Innovation), presented the objectives of Cluster 6 [Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment], which concerns the restoration of biodiversity, the sustainable use of natural resources, the necessary mechanisms of social transformation, as well as food security and chain. Mr. Balabanis underlined that the calls for tenders have been designed on the basis of European policies and aim at maximizing investments in Research & Innovation.

Dr Georgios Tzamalis (Policy Officer, Unit: Innovation and Research, Directorate–General for Mobility and Transport, DG MOVE) focused on Cluster 5 [Climate, Energy and Mobility] and referred to synergies with the European Green Deal and the Europe Fit for Digital Age, as well as the expected socio-economic impact through the development of breakthrough innovations and sustainable and inclusive social and economic transformation.It also presented the individual destinations related to Climate Science, Energy Systems and Networks, Green Energy with fields of applications in buildings, industry and transport, the reduction of the impact of transport on health and the environment and safe, resilient multimodal transport.

Mrs Maria Kagiamanidou (Deputy Head of the Unit, Fair Societies & Cultural Heritage, DG Research & Innovation) presented the calls for Cluster2 [Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Society], which promote interdisciplinary expertise.He referred to the safeguarding of democracy, the effects of political extremism, the effects of climate change and man-made interventions on cultural heritage, the sustainable management of linguistic resources, the construction – without exclusions – of vulnerable social groups, the effects of demographic upheavals. Finally, it emphasised international cooperation with the countries of the African Union, whose assistance is considered to be catalytic in addressing the migration issue.

Also, the event was attended by the National Representatives:

Dr. Antonios Gypakis, Head of the Department of Planning and Programming, General Secretariat for Research and Innovation

Prof. Demosthenes Sarigiannis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Dr. Angelos Amditis, Research Director of the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens

Louisa Papamikrouli, Department of Planning and Programming, General Secretariat for Research and Innovation

Dr. Fotini Adamidi, Office Director of the Secretary General for Research and Innovation

Dr. Despina Tsiafaki, Research Director and Scientific Coordinator of the Department of Culture and Creative Industries at the Institute for Word Processing of the “ATHENA” Research Center

On behalf of the PRAXI/FORTH Network, Mrs Katerina Papadouli, National Contact Point (Cluster 6) in Horizon Europe, made an introductory statement on clusters, while Mrs Maria Samara, Head of the team of National Contact Points, referred to the information and advisory services provided by the PRAXI Network as a National Contact Point in Horizon Europe. The event ended with the presentation of Mrs Vassiliki Kalodimou, National Contact Point (Cluster 5) in Horizon Europe.

Please note that the event was broadcasted live on the PRAXI Network’s YouTube channel and is available here. The presentations of the event are to be posted in the coming days on the following websites: praxinetwork.gr and horizoneurope.gr