The strategic plan for Horizon Europe (2025-2027) is quite comprehensive and aims to address several critical aspects of European research and innovation (R&I). Here are some key points and balanced opinions about it:
|
Pro |
Con |
|
| Clear Strategic Orientations | Setting three key strategic orientations ensures a focused approach, aligning various R&I activities with overarching EU goals | Limited to three orientations, it may miss out on other important areas or lack flexibility to adapt to emerging needs |
| Expected Impacts | Outlining 32 expected impacts provides a clear vision of the program’s goals and the anticipated benefits, facilitating better planning and resource allocation | These impacts may be too optimistic or difficult to measure, potentially leading to discrepancies between expectations and actual outcomes |
| New European Bauhaus Facility | This initiative can drive sustainable and inclusive design, blending art, culture, social inclusion, science, and technology | The integration of such a diverse range of fields might be challenging to manage and implement effectively |
| European Partnerships | Nine new co-programmed and co-funded partnerships can foster collaboration, pooling resources, and expertise from multiple stakeholders | These partnerships could face bureaucratic hurdles and coordination challenges across different countries and institutions |
| EU Missions | Identifying and building on the achievements of EU Missions ensures continuity and leverages past successes to tackle current and future challenges | Focusing on past achievements might limit innovation by not adequately encouraging new and disruptive approaches |
| International Cooperation | Emphasizing openness in international cooperation enhances global collaboration and the exchange of knowledge and resources | Balancing openness with research security can be tricky, potentially leading to conflicts or restrictions that might stifle collaboration |
| Cross-cutting Issues | Addressing specific, cross-cutting issues like AI, social sciences integration, and result dissemination ensures a holistic approach to R&I | Managing these diverse issues simultaneously can be complex and may dilute the focus on each area |
| Synergies with Other Funding Programmes | Guidance on fostering synergies can enhance the efficiency and impact of funding, avoiding duplication and leveraging complementary strengths | Creating effective synergies requires meticulous coordination, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive |
Overall, the strategic plan for Horizon Europe (2025-2027) is ambitious and well-structured, aiming to address a wide range of critical issues in European R&I. While it presents numerous opportunities for advancement and collaboration, it also faces significant challenges in implementation, coordination, and achieving the desired impacts. Balancing these pros and cons will be crucial for the successful realization of the plan’s objectives.