The fist work programme of Horizon Europe for 2021-2022 has been adopted on 16 June and includes targeted actions with key non-EU partners, including the first ever ambitious and comprehensive “Africa Initiative”. As a strategic partner, the EU seeks to enhance cooperation with Africa to promote actions targeted to finding locally adapted solutions to challenges that are global in nature, but which often hit Africa hardest. The Horizon Europe work programme 2021-2022 includes around 40 topics with a budget of around €350 million under Calls for Proposals that are particularly relevant for cooperation with Africa. This reflects the joint priorities as agreed at the EU-AU Research & Innovation Ministerial meeting in July 2020: Public Health, Green Transition, Innovation & Technology and Capacities for Science. The calls for proposals require or encourage participation of African entities. Topics range from climate change, rural innovation, sustainable food systems and sustainable energy to bringing European highly innovative SMEs to the forefront of African markets.
Factsheet on Africa initiative
The Commission is organising several regional seminars that will shortly be posted on the website:
- 8 July – South-Mediterranean
- 9 July – SSA French
- 12 July – SSA Portuguese
- 15 July – SSA English
- 16 July – South Africa
