Despite multiple EU funding sources (Recovery and Resilience Facility, European Regional Development Fund, European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, etc.), differing governance structures create challenges in achieving synergy. Co-creating strategic objectives with regional authorities and sharing best practices can enhance the use of Horizon Europe and other funds to co-finance impactful projects, including within European Partnerships.

The European Commission, through EU Regulations on the use of structural funds, is simplifying administrative procedures to facilitate the synergy between different funding streams and Horizon Europe, promoting broader participation from countries and regions. This includes easing the use of structural and regional funds when aligned with national or regional objectives, as well as integrating funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Additionally, recent improvements in state aid regulations may enhance industry and SME engagement. 

The Partnership, through the high-level strategic platform represented by the Steering Committee, has paid particular attention to the issue and showcased various best practices. 

Finland's European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programme, for example, strategically aligns with Horizon Europe (HE), promoting the use of EMFAF funds as a national contribution to international calls. To enhance efficiency and accessibility, EMFAF grants and EU top-up funding are harmonised. This includes a synchronised timeline, a unified application process with consistent grant conditions, and a streamlined payment system using the same documentation for both funding streams.

The Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy) has instead pioneered the use of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as a co-funding stream for its contribution to the Partnership Joint Transnational Co-Funded Calls, coordinating strategic priorities across various funding programmes from their inception to foster a unified vision. Adopting a strategic approach to European funding, the region ensures synergy between EMFAF and ERDF contributions. Clear guidelines are in place to prevent cumulative funding from exceeding eligible costs, with detailed support conditions ensuring transparency.

In Greece, the “Elevate Greece” initiative showcases the synergy between Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and national funding by offering a unified digital platform, the National Startup Registry, where Greek startups can apply for accreditation and access support from both sources. The platform functions as a comprehensive monitoring tool, tracking startup progress while providing incentives and benefits to drive growth.

Cyprus successfully leveraged Structural Funds to finance the Partnership's project calls. Where possible, it established a unified set of rules and a single electronic platform to streamline the application process across funding sources. Additionally, close cooperation and coordination among national stakeholders have been encouraged to address challenges in implementing co-funding schemes.

The showcase of these best practices, among others, helped outline key conclusions and recommendations for effectively leveraging synergies across different funding streams. To foster a unified vision, strategic priorities across different funding programmes should be aligned, ensuring coherence and synergy. Objectives should be structured to enhance cooperation between national and international calls, using national funding to complement internationally coordinated initiatives. Clear documentation must be provided to help beneficiaries navigate the funding process efficiently. Additionally, strong coordination between managing authorities is essential to streamline the implementation of various funding streams and facilitate the payment processing within the same operational project. Focusing specifically on startups, it is crucial to align national and European funding schemes to provide targeted support, maintain a transparent and accessible registry to track progress, and attract investment, ensuring the effective use of both national and EU resources.

The Partnership is now working on publishing a user-friendly dashboard with extensive information available to all users on how to best streamline funds at national, regional and European level.

Leveraging funding synergies has the potential to enhance the impact of research and innovation investments and help optimise research funding across Europe, in a system that is steadily becoming more accessible. Members States are encouraged to explore this possibility and determine how best to integrate these streams.