#NEF International research projects within the Horizon programs: the case of an energy company

       Horizon Europe – is the framework program of the European Union for funding research and innovation. In 2014-2020, the Horizon-2020 program was implemented and since 2015, Ukraine has become its associate member.

      This gives an opportunity to Ukrainian companies,on a par with European ones to participate in research grant projects of Horizon programs, have an influence on the formation of programs and to unite with business companiesand research institutions of the European Union for participation in research and other innovation development projects.

      Usually, projects are implemented by consortia – bringing together partners from one or more fields and from different countries.

      The consortium may have several dozen partners from different European countries. The spheres of activity of the partners are determined by the direction of the project, but scientific research institutions are always present in such projects (universities, innovation centers, etc) or groups of scientists with relevant expertise.

      The European Union finances or co-finances the project and each of the partners receives funds for actions and activity within its area of responsibility. Projects usually last several years.

        From 2021, the Ivano-Frankivsk company "Prykarpattiaoblenergo" is participating in two projects within the Horizon programs: eFORT and ELECTRON.

        Project eFORT aimed at strengthening cyber security, and as part of the ELECTRON project, it is planned to develop a system training and certification of energy personnel in the field of cyber security.

        Grant projects within the framework of Horizon Europe and Horizon-2020 are divided into innovative and research-innovative projects. There is a difference between them in refinancing percentages, that is, with the funds that the EU finances to the project participant. Projects in which Prykarpattiaoblenergo is involved,are not only innovative. Innovation is created in scientific institutions,and the company is a testing ground, as a potential user.

        Volodymyr Shcherbyak, head of the project management group of Prykarpattiaoblenergo, was asked about experience of participating in such programs and asked to share how everything works inside such complex multi-component programs. And why, despite the complexity of the path to participation in such programs, it's still worth looking for connections, contacts, networking and applying.

        You can learn about the eFort and ELEKTRON projects, how it works, at the link!

        Implement the "New Economy of Ivano-Frankivsk" project together with the Executive Committee of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council, the Promprylad.Renovation, innovation center, the METALAB urban laboratory, the PPV Knowledge Networks economic development agency, and the Warm City platform.