The European Commission has adopted the main work programme of Horizon Europe for the period 2021-2022. The programme outlines the objectives and topic areas that will receive a share of €14.7 billion in funding. The investment is intended to accelerate the green and digital transitions as well as contributing to a sustainable recovery from the pandemic. The first Horizon Europe calls will support and complement initiatives and programmes including the European Green Deal, the European Research Area, Europe’s Digital Decade and NextGenerationEU.  The first calls from the programme will launch on 22 June 2021 and more details about the calls will be shared during the EU R&I Days. Along with the approach approved by the Commission in the field of international cooperation in research and innovation, the programme includes targeted actions aiming at strengthening cooperation through multilateral initiatives, also including non-EU partners as for the Africa initiative. Learn more and find the work programme online or download the press release in the pdf....

The EU-Latin America Partnership on Raw Materials project is hosting a yearly webinar series addressing a diverse range of topics which are key to fostering responsible and sustainable non-energy extractive industries in Europe and Latin American regions. The upcoming online webinar EU-Latin America responsible battery value chains on 17 June (16:00 – 17:30h CEST) is a business-oriented event that seeks to showcase best practice examples of responsible battery raw materials value chain integration led by EU and Latin America stakeholders. A secure and responsible supply of battery raw materials is a vital prerequisite for electric mobility and renewable energy, and therefore it plays a key role in achieving a climate-neutral economy. The EU seeks to diversify its sources of battery raw materials and integrate its value chains with Latin American countries. In this context, responsible production and sourcing of these raw materials are paramount. The webinar will bring together experts from the EU and Latin America to share their analyses and best practices on responsible battery raw materials value chain integration. Thus, MDNP members (https://www.mineralplatform.eu/) will gain insights into the work being done in both regions on driving responsible mining and building sustainable and resilient mineral raw materials value chains. Webinar registrations will close on Monday, 14 June at 17:00 CEST. Remember that you must be logged in as MDNP member to register for this webinar. If you are not an MDNP member yet, submit your membership application as early as possible.*The eligibility criteria to become a member of the MDNP is to be legally based in an 27 EU Member State or in one of the following Latin American countries Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and to beactive in the fields relevant for the non-energy extractive industry sector. Governmental entities from other Latin American countries are also eligible as members of the MDNP. All...