Discharge 2017: Joint Undertakings are a good example of the efficient use of European taxpayer money

The annual budget discharge exercise, voted today in a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, was an opportunity to highlight the success of public-private partnerships in the field of research and innovation. Vice-President of the Parliamentary Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT), Martina DLABAJOVÁ (ANO, Czech Republic) was pleased that the Court of Auditors welcomed the good use of the 2.1 billion invested in 2017 by the European budget in a series of Joint Undertakings active in advanced technologies in various industrial sectors.

Martina Dlabajová is convinced of the importance of these investments and their true European added value: “Their aim is to carry out research and innovation activities, to increase the competitiveness of European industry and to face major social challenges. Joint Undertakings also play a key role in linking key strategic partners from industry and science. “ According to Mrs Dlabajová, connecting the public and private sectors is an effective way to further develop European research. “EU Joint Undertakings show that if we can effectively connect not only European money but also private capital and our citizens’ knowledge and skills, the EU can be a strong global player in research and innovation.”

Europe’s largest science and research program is Horizon 2020. It has a budget of € 80 billion for the seven-year period of 2014–2020. Joint Undertakings financed by Horizon 2020 include BBI (Bio-based Industries), Clean Sky (Clean Air Transport Technologies), IMI (Innovative Medicines Initiative), FCH (Fuel Cells and Hydrogen), SESAR (Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research), ECSEL (Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership), Shift2Rail (Innovative Rail Product Solutions).

More info: yannick.laude@europarl.europa.eu