The European Commission launched three new initiatives to support EU research and innovation cooperation with Ukraine:
- New Horizon Europe Office in Kyiv;
- New European Innovation Council (EIC) action to support the Ukrainian deep tech community;
- New European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Community Hub.
The three initiatives were launched at a remote event by Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Iliana Ivanova, together with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyj.
The new Horizon Europe Office will raise awareness on opportunities for Ukraine's participation in collaborative research and innovation (R&I) projects under Horizon Europe, the EU research and innovation programme. It will do so by promoting Horizon Europe in Ukraine and supporting Ukraine's integration into the European Research Area, while providing support to Ukraine's National Contact Points for Horizon Europe. The National Research Foundation of Ukraine is hosting the Horizon Europe Office.
The European Innovation Council (EIC4Ukraine) action supports the Ukrainian deep tech community with €20 million for Ukrainian start-ups, to help them grow and integrate within the European innovation ecosystem. The initiative, implemented by a European network of start-up associations, will support at least 200 Ukrainian deep tech start-ups with up to €60,000 each to further develop their innovation and business activities.
The EIT Community Hub in Kyiv will serve as a one-stop-shop for information on opportunities provided by the entire EIT community across the European Union and beyond. It will give Ukrainian innovators remaining in their home country access to partners, markets, testbeds, trainings and investment. The Hub is being hosted by the Ukrainian Startup Fund.