EU Commission
2024
PPMI Group, VTT, Maastricht University
The European Commission has been promoting research and innovation in Europe for several decades, including through the funding programmes ‘Horizon 2020’ (funding period 2014-2020) and the successor programme ‘Horizon Europe’ (funding period 2021-2027). They aim to strengthen the EU's scientific and technological base, promote industrial competitiveness and tackle global challenges.
The programmes are regularly evaluated to assess their effectiveness, efficiency, relevance and impact on research, innovation and the economy in the EU. The evaluations are intended to ensure that the programmes achieve their objectives, work efficiently and create added value for the EU and its member states.
Both the Horizon 2020 programme, which has already been completed, and Horizon Europe, which is planned until 2027, have been and will continue to be examined. Together with the PPMI, Prognos undertook the evaluation of several sub-programmes.
An overarching guiding principle that runs through various parts of the EU's research and innovation programmes is ‘Resilient Europe’. In this context, the term resilience refers to the ability to adapt to and overcome challenges and crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or other health crises, social challenges such as migration or geopolitical uncertainties.
Prognos and partners evaluated the EU framework programmes in terms of their contribution to a resilient Europe.
The report covers the Horizon 2020 programme from its inception in 2014 to the end of 2020. In the context of this study, the term ‘Resilient Europe’ refers to the promotion of research and innovation in relation to activities that contribute to creating a more resilient Europe to tackle the following challenges:
The following four partnerships were also covered in the study:
It evaluated whether the interventions and measures associated with Horizon 2020 were relevant, coherent and efficient, delivered EU added value and whether Horizon 2020 contributed to the achievement of its objectives as expected.
The programme made a significant contribution to Europe's resilience, particularly in the areas of health, demographic change, social inclusion and security.
The evaluation found that the programme's measures were effective, flexible and coherent in responding to societal challenges and new threats.
Nevertheless, challenges such as a low success rate for project applications and the need for better stakeholder involvement were also identified.
To the evaluation
Further information
In Phase 1, Prognos evaluated the Active and Assisted Living (AAL) Partnership, including two integrated case studies. Prognos also produced three further case studies on the International Medicines Initiative, International Programme-Level Cooperation and Migration.
In phase 2, the contribution of Horizon Europe to a resilient Europe was evaluated. This study serves as input for the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe, which runs from 2021 to 2027. It covers the period from 2021 to 2023.
The focus is on the ‘Resilient Europe’ aspects of the Framework Programme. This includes activities in three of the thematic clusters within Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe:
It also includes the Cancer Mission and several key partnerships, including the Second Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI2), the Innovative Health Solutions Joint Undertaking (IHI) and EIT Health.
The aim of the evaluation was to assess whether the interventions and measures within these parts of the programme are justified and effective in achieving the objectives of Horizon Europe.
The interim evaluation shows that the Horizon Europe programme's clusters and partnerships make a positive contribution to strengthening EU priorities and tackling global challenges.
The study also finds improvements in the administrative efficiency of Horizon Europe, with higher project success rates and a better allocation of funds compared to Horizon 2020. These results provide valuable guidance for future adjustments and reorientations of the programme.
To the Horizon Europe programme
In phase 2, Prognos was responsible for evaluating the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 (IMI2) and its successor, the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI). In addition, case studies were carried out on the new Transforming Health and Care Systems (THCS) partnership, the role of the creative industries in Horizon Europe and the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF).
Evaluation of the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 (IMI2)
Case studies on the new Transforming Health and Care System (THCS)
The project team used the following methods to evaluate the programmes:
Project team: Anja Breuer, Dr Stefanie Ettelt, Vera Fuhs, Daniel Gehrt, Anna Hornik, Justyna Kramarczyk, Felix Kuropka, Salvatore Lauricella, Victor Wichmann
Last update: 12.09.2024
Senior Project Manager
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Prognos is one of the oldest economic research centres in Europe. Founded at the University of Basel, Prognos experts have been conducting research for a wide range of clients from the public and private sectors since 1959 – politically independent, scientifically sound.