The CONNECT destination contributes to interconnected, inclusive and more efficient innovation ecosystems across Europe. It draws on the existing strengths of European, national, regional and local ecosystems and pulls in new, less well-represented stakeholders and less advanced in innovation territories, to set, undertake, and achieve collective ambitions towards challenges for the benefit of the society, including green, digital, and social transitions.

Two EIE CONNECT calls with a total budget of EUR 7 million are open for submission until 26 April 2022:

HORIZON-EIE-2022-CONNECT-01-01: Towards more inclusive networks and initiatives in European innovation ecosystems (budget: EUR 4 million)

The topic aims to increase Europe’s innovation efficiency and capacity by supporting projects that will expand the cooperation and enlarge the participation of more diverse innovation stakeholders and territories in existing and successful innovation initiatives and networks that support innovation deployment and key stakeholders (including SMEs and start-ups) in the Member States, Associated Countries, at national, regional and/or local level.

HORIZON-EIE-2022-CONNECT-01-02:  Integration of social innovation actors in innovation ecosystems (budget: EUR 3 million)

These actions will raise awareness and ease the access of social entrepreneurs to the resources of pan-European, national, regional and local innovation ecosystems. In addition, the action aims to have a lasting spill-over effect by bringing attention to the benefits of social innovation projects to the society as a whole, and to strategic priorities and objectives of the Commission in particular.

‍