It is important that resilience is strengthened in the EU's next framework programme
This summer, the EU Commission published its proposal for the upcoming framework programme for research and innovation, the next Horisont Europa. Vinnova, like many other actors in Sweden, has submitted comments on the draft to the government, which will submit Sweden's official response. Jenny Wanselius, head of the EU unit, and Rémy Kolessar, head of international cooperation at Vinnova, tell us more about what the proposal means and how the process looks going forward.
What is new in this proposal compared to the current Framework Programme?
– A major change is that the Commission wants to link several different EU programme, including Horisont Europa. The new Competitiveness Fund, ECF, is a new, leading instrument that also seems to govern the other programmes to some extent, says Jenny Wanselius.
What issues has Vinnova highlighted as particularly important in its response to the proposal?
– The proposal for the next framework programme addresses several of the strategic challenges highlighted in, among others, the Draghi and Letta reports, which we see as important and welcome. However, it is still unclear how governance and prioritisation between areas and programme will take place, and this could make coordination more difficult and reduce efficiency, says Rémy Kolessar and continues:
– We think it is positive that the proposal emphasizes competitiveness – it is central to Europe's innovative capacity. At the same time, we see a need to strengthen the perspectives on resilience and total defense, especially linked to dual-use infrastructure and innovation.
What happens now?
– The Government Offices are now reviewing all the documentation received from Swedish actors and compiling Sweden's response. The next step is negotiations in the Council, where member states and the Commission are represented. Various parts of the proposal will be discussed in the Council Working Group on research, where Sweden is represented by our permanent representation in Brussels, which receives documentation from the Government Offices. All Swedish expert authorities are invited to contribute to this documentation via informal weekly meetings, and then experts in program committees and national contact persons participate, says Jenny Wanselius.
The negotiation process is expected to take another two years. The next framework programme will apply for the period 2028-2034.
Questions?
Last updated 9 September 2025