EIT ‘successful in unifying and integrating the Knowledge Triangle and in supporting the development of long-term pan-European innovation ecosystems’ says new independent study of Horizon Europe
EITThe European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s (EIT) ‘grassroots connections across all EU Member States enables the EIT a flexible and dynamic approach that allows Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) to act quickly’ says the Evaluation Study of the European Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation for Innovative Europe.
This study assesses the effectiveness of interventions and actions supporting innovation under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme Pillar 3 (European Innovation Council, the European Innovation Ecosystems and the EIT) identifying their achievements, successes, and areas for improvement.
EIT demonstrate efficiency and added-value
The evaluation study notes the EIT’s ability to leverage its grant for greater private investment in innovative activities. The EIT KIC leverage effects could raise as much as eight private sector euros for every one invested by the EIT, i.e. a leverage effect of up to 8. ‘Differences [in leverage effects] among the EIT KICs can be largely attributed to their age, with the KICs that have been in place longer showing higher leverage effects, which is a proof of the EIT model creating impact through long-term engagement through EIT KICs based on long-term strategies.’
The report goes on to note that the ‘themes of the KICs themselves are also at the core of the green and digital transition, and as such, the activities of the EIT KICs generate added societal value.’ These activities focus on supporting innovation actors working on a wide range of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) from the lab research phase to the commercialisation phase of releasing new innovations that tackle global challenges. 710 such innovations were developed and launched by the EIT Community between 2021 and 2022 out of the 867 innovative products, processes, and methods developed between across Pillar 3.
The report also finds that the EIT has developed a framework that assists its beneficiaries, simplifies participation, and leads to efficiency gains: ‘EIT demonstrated efficiency and agility in its funding allocation processes, with time-to-pay (123 days) and time-to-grant (117 days) figures which is more than twice as fast as the average for Horizon Europe or Pillar 3 so far. (..) The performance-based funding allocation, in particular, is a key success and result of the learnings of EIT, as it, though shifting financial resources from less-performing to better-performing activities, ensures that the EIT budget can reach maximum impact.’
The study recognises EIT Health's 2020 COVID-19 Rapid Response (which allocated approximately EUR 7 million to 15 projects) and the EIT’s expanded support for Ukraine's innovation sector in response to the Russian invasion. By mid-2023, the aggregated total EIT grant channelled to Ukraine had already topped EUR 2 million. The close work between EIT KICs and their respective industries adds ‘value to the society overall.’ This close work allows the EIT KICs to swiftly address industry needs through educational and upskilling programmes.
The EIT’s education activities were specifically noted by the Horizon Europe evaluation study. ‘The educational component of the EIT remains a distinctive feature and is of high relevance given the shortage of skilled workers in high-tech and deep tech sectors in the EU,’ it notes. The Deep Tech Talent Initiative was highlighted as an example of meeting the EU’s needs in a work force with advanced tech skills by training a million people in priority areas like AI and semiconductors by 2025. The European Battery Alliance (EBA) Academy, led by EIT InnoEnergy, was also given special mention as an example of ways EIT skills development programmes address industry needs and contribute to European global competitiveness. The Academy is at the forefront of EU efforts to increase the number of skilled workers ready to grow Europe’s battery industry, a crucial part of developing a greener energy mix as industry projections estimate 800 000 workers are needed for the sector. The report also notes the EIT’s key role in the EU’s New European Bauhaus, which creates functional and artistic spaces that promote harmony with nature and dialogue across cultures, genders, and ages, drawing upon the expertise of its communities’ expertise across sectors and borders.
EIT builds ‘inclusive and resilient innovation ecosystems’
The evaluation found that the EIT was tackling Europe’s geographic innovation gap through its on-the-ground co-location centres and EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) hubs. These centres and hubs foster existing start-ups and scale-ups in countries categorised as ‘moderate’ or ‘emerging’ innovation ecosystems by the European Innovation Scoreboard. They also support the creation of new start-ups and provide training opportunities. The evaluation found that all of this in turn helps prevent brain drain. It also notes that the EIT brought down barriers to women’s participation in Europe’s innovation ecosystem:
57% of participation in 2021-22 entrepreneurial education courses was from women
35% of students and graduates of EIT Labelled MSc and PhD programmes were women, helping advance women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) fields
24% of start-ups created through EIT innovation projects in the period 2021-2022 are led by women, with 10% of the start-ups created by EIT women students and graduates
Background
The EIT is an independent EU body and an integral part of Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme for 2021-2027. The independently conducted evaluation study, which assesses the 2021-2023 results of Horizon Europe’s research and innovation actions, will feed into the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe published by the European Commission in 2025.
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