Archive for category: News

Yesterday, we joined the European Partnership Stakeholder Forum 2025 in Brussels, an important moment for everyone working at the intersection of research, innovation, and European competitiveness. Organised by ERA-LEARN and the European Commission, the Forum brought together institutions, industry, regions, and programme leaders to discuss how partnerships will evolve under FP10.

What became clear throughout the day is that European partnerships are entering a new phase: more strategic, more focused, and designed for greater impact.

Key Takeaways from the High-Level Interventions

Marc Lemaitre (DG RTD) and Pauline Rouch (DG RTD, DIR G) outlined the direction for FP10:

• Partnerships will remain central, but with a stronger emphasis on competitiveness and shared European priorities.
• A drive toward simplification, a clearer toolbox, fewer but more strategic partnerships, and streamlined governance.
• A commitment to maximum impact with minimum complexity, supported by a rationalised portfolio and a new methodology for identifying thematic areas.
• Stronger alignment with EU policy priorities, clearer selection criteria, and a lifecycle approach including implementation and exit strategies.
• Insights from Panel Discussions
• Representatives from Member States, regions, industry, and national funding bodies highlighted several critical themes:
• The need for balance between flexibility and clarity, partners want room to innovate but also clear rules.
• A shared call for better alignment between EU, national, and regional priorities. While ambitious, early involvement and improved transparency (e.g., through the Partnership Knowledge Hub) could make it achievable.
• Recognition of the value of tripartite partnerships; bringing public, private, and EU actors together more coherently.
• Broader understanding of impact: not only competitiveness, but also societal value, regional involvement, and long-term resilience.
• The conversations also addressed practical tensions: funding modalities, the role of in-kind contributions, the challenge of merging or consolidating partnerships within the same sector, and how to strengthen coordination across governance levels.

Preparing for the Future: Portfolio Design and Scenarios

The new Commission Expert Group on Directional Initiatives presented three possible scenarios for shaping the future partnership landscape: from incremental evolution to full transformation. Regardless of the path chosen, some principles clearly resonate across the ecosystem:

• The importance of clarity on impact goals, supported by the resources needed to reach them.
• The need for stakeholder involvement early in the process.
• Ensuring critical mass, strategic coherence, and strong connection to market and societal needs.

Looking Ahead
The future of European partnerships is still taking shape, and with it comes a degree of uncertainty. But the direction is unmistakably positive: a more strategic, transparent, and performance-driven system that can mobilise Europe around its most important challenges.

As FP10 evolves, partnerships will continue to play a pivotal role, not only in advancing innovation but also in strengthening Europe’s capacity to act together. We left Brussels encouraged by the discussions and mindful that the next steps will be crucial in shaping future partnerships that truly deliver for Europe.

As a young partnership just entering our second year, the Space Partnership is navigating this evolving landscape, aware that the success of FP10 will depend on whether these reforms actually create the clarity, stability and strategic focus that new initiatives like ours need.

As we prepare for the Space Partnership Consultation Workshop on 22 October, another central theme will be New Space Transportation Systems (NSTS). Launch capabilities are the backbone of any space strategy, and Europe’s ability to maintain independent, competitive, and sustainable access to space will define its role on the global stage.

Why NSTS Matters
In today’s rapidly evolving global launch market, Europe faces both challenges and opportunities. NSTS are essential not only for securing autonomous access to space, but also for driving competitiveness, innovation, and growth across the European space sector. They are key to enabling new commercial markets, responding to evolving mission needs, and ensuring that Europe remains a trusted partner internationally.
What’s at Stake

Within the Partnership, NSTS has already been recognised in the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) as a priority area requiring coordinated action. At the October Workshop, stakeholders will work together to:
Revisit priorities in light of shifting global competition and market dynamics.
Identify gaps where innovation and new solutions are required to strengthen European launch capabilities.
Ensure alignment across the supply chain to secure Europe’s long-term competitiveness and autonomy.

Your Role
The Consultation Workshop will be a cornerstone for refining the detailed content of the Partnership’s SRIA. Your expertise and engagement are essential to ensure that Europe’s space transportation systems evolve to meet future needs — cost-effective, sustainable, and globally competitive.

Join us on 22 October to help shape this strategic direction and ensure that Europe continues to lead in access to space.

Exactly one year ago today, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that launched the Space Partnership was signed, marking the start of a new chapter for Europe’s space sector. Since then, the Partnership has united industry, RTOs, academia, and institutions around shared objectives, creating a stronger voice for space innovation.

On 22 October, we will take the next step together at the annual Consultation Workshop, a cornerstone event where stakeholders from across Europe will shape the priorities that guide our sector forward.

This workshop is not just another meeting on the calendar. It is the moment where our community comes together to update the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), align on Europe’s innovation needs, and set direction for the 2027 Horizon Europe calls.

The day will centre around three strategic themes:
• Earth Observation & Satellite Communication – defining competitiveness and innovation needs for Europe’s future missions and services.
• New Space Transportation Systems (NSTS) – strengthening Europe’s position in an evolving global launch landscape.
Your engagement is crucial. By participating, you help ensure that the Partnership reflects the full spectrum of expertise across the supply chain and that our collective voice remains strong. Together, we can turn shared challenges into opportunities for Europe’s space sector.

Mark your calendars and sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesTAN_it9_1aYSEhW5znR5OccixxPnQuoFRtpJuizI11qRrA/viewform

The Space Partnership SRIA Update Outreach Event is just around the corner, taking place on 4–5 June 2025 in Brussels. With registrations closing soon, this is your last opportunity to secure a place at one of the most important gatherings for Europe’s space research and innovation community.

Why Attend?

The Outreach Event offers a unique opportunity to:

• Gain insights from leading experts across Earth Observation, Satellite Communication, and New Space Transportation

• Connect with key stakeholders from industry, research, and public institutions

• Contribute to shaping the strategic research and innovation (R&I) agenda for space under the Horizon Europe framework

The event is designed to foster forward-looking dialogue and provide a platform for stakeholders to influence future priorities through active engagement and collaboration.

Don’t Miss Out

Be in the room where strategic decisions take shape. Join the conversation and help define the next phase of European space policy and innovation.

Register here before registration closes: https://digital-space-ecosystem.eu/groups/space-partnership-hub/WEDPG652Kl/events/default/sria-update-outreach-event/N0xRL8QPmd

The upcoming Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) Update Outreach Event, taking place on 4–5 June 2025 in Brussels, is more than just a conference. It is a pivotal working session where perspectives from industry, research, and institutions come together to help define Europe’s strategic priorities for space research and innovation under Horizon Europe.

This event is a unique opportunity for stakeholders active in Earth Observation, Satellite Communications, or New Space Transportation to directly influence the direction of future funding, technology development, and collaboration.

Why Participate?

• Contribute your vision: Play a direct role in shaping Europe’s strategic space agenda.

• Engage with key stakeholders: Connect with experts, peers, and decision-makers from across the space ecosystem.

• Inform future priorities: Ensure your organisation’s perspective is considered in the development of future EU R&I activities.

If your organisation wants to be involved in the discussions that will shape the future of space in Europe, this is the place to be.

Register Now
Secure your participation before registration closes:
Register here

As Europe steps into a new chapter of strategic research and innovation for space, Earth Observation (EO) stands at the core of its ambitions. From monitoring climate change and enabling disaster response to advancing smart agriculture and security systems, EO technologies have become indispensable for policymaking, economic growth, and sustainable development.

On June 4–5 in Brussels, the Space Partnership’s SRIA Update Outreach Event will host a unique platform to explore and co-develop the next phase of EO priorities in Horizon Europe.

Why Earth Observation Matters

EO is not only about collecting data—it’s about transforming it into actionable insights for both public and private stakeholders. In a world facing mounting environmental and geopolitical challenges, timely and reliable Earth Observation is essential to:

• Monitor environmental change with high precision
• Support decision-making in agriculture, urban planning, and emergency management
• Power next-gen digital services through advanced data analytics
• Ensure Europe’s technological autonomy in strategic EO capabilities

What to Expect at the Event

The dedicated sessions at the SRIA Outreach Event will focus on:

• Identifying key strategic gaps in EO technologies and systems
• Highlighting emerging R&I needs, such as new sensors, data platforms, and AI-powered processing
• Examining how current and past Horizon Europe projects are building the EO landscape
• Gathering cross-sector input from industry, research, and institutional players to guide the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) roadmap

Your voice matters. This event offers a space to discuss what’s missing, what’s promising, and what should be prioritized in upcoming funding cycles.

EO and SatCom: A Powerful Synergy

While EO provides the data, Satellite Communications (SatCom) ensures it is securely and efficiently delivered where it’s needed—across borders, in real-time, and under any condition. As EO applications become increasingly data-intensive and time-sensitive, integration with next-gen SatCom systems will be vital.

That’s why the event also spotlights the synergies between EO and SatCom, addressing the need for joint development strategies and interoperable solutions.

Be Part of the Conversation

Whether you’re a startup, SME, research institute, or institutional actor, your insights are essential to shaping the future EO agenda. Help define the priorities that will guide Horizon Europe’s support for EO technologies and services in the coming years.

Date: June 4 (full day) & June 5 (morning)
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Register now to join us: https://digital-space-ecosystem.eu/groups/space-partnership-hub/WEDPG652Kl/events/default/sria-update-outreach-event/N0xRL8QPmd

Please note: Registration is required via the EU Digital Space Ecosystem platform. Capacity is limited to 100 participants to ensure focused discussions.