Horizon Europe is the European Union's key funding programme for research and innovation, running from 2021 to 2027 with a budget of €95.5 billion. It aims to tackle climate change, help achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, and boost the EU's competitiveness and growth. The programme is structured around three main pillars: Excellent Science, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, and Innovative Europe. It focuses on areas such as health, culture, security, digital technologies, climate, energy, mobility, food, and natural resources. Horizon Europe offers various funding opportunities, from individual researcher grants to large collaborative projects. The European Research Council provides grants up to €2.5 million for frontier research, while Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions support researcher mobility and training. Eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific call, but generally include excellence, impact, and implementation quality. The programme is open to researchers, universities, companies, and organizations from EU member states and associated countries. In some cases, entities from non-EU countries can also participate. Recent projects funded include research on cancer prevention, climate-neutral cities, and restoring ocean ecosystems. Horizon Europe also supports European Partnerships and introduces research missions to increase the effectiveness of funding by pursuing clearly defined targets.
Horizon Europe, the EU's key funding programme for research and innovation, could significantly support the development of the European Housing Cooperative (EHC) through various mechanisms. The programme's Pillar II, "Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness," offers opportunities for EHC, particularly under the Climate, Energy and Mobility cluster. This cluster funds projects addressing sustainable and affordable housing solutions, which aligns well with EHC's goals. The European Innovation Council (EIC) under Pillar III could provide funding for EHC's innovative approaches to cooperative housing. The EIC Accelerator, in particular, supports start-ups and SMEs in developing and scaling up game-changing innovations. Horizon Europe's Missions, especially the "100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030" mission, could offer funding opportunities for EHC to participate in sustainable urban development projects. Similar initiatives that have received funding include the SHAPE-EU consortium, which supports district-level renovation projects, and the Affordable Housing Initiative, which aims to pilot 100 lighthouse renovation districts. To maximize its chances, EHC should consider forming partnerships with research institutions, municipalities, and other relevant stakeholders to create strong, collaborative proposals aligned with Horizon Europe's objectives of sustainability, innovation, and social inclusion in housing.