Added value of participating in the EU framework programme

On behalf of Vinnova, Faugert & Co Utvärdering have analyzed the Swedish participation in Horizon 2020 and Horisont Europa, including partnership programs. The purpose of the assignment was partly to generate data for Vinnova's reporting of the Swedish participation, and partly to create data to strengthen Swedish participation in Horisont Europa and in partnership in line with the national strategy. The data collection has consisted of document analyses, register analyses, in-depth interviews and a web survey, as well as six case studies of partnerships and four case studies of the work of other countries to make the most of the framework programme. The assignment was carried out during the period April–December 2022.

Drivers for participation

It turns out that certain added values of EU-funded project (compared to Swedish-funded project) apply, regardless of the type of actor who has worked in the project. Some of the most important added values are that:

• Get access to internationally leading competence
• Gain access to FoI infrastructure in other countries
• Actors can tackle more complex and intractable problems
• The participants' perspective is broadened by mutual learning, which creates the conditions for successfully meeting major societal challenges
• Be able to contribute to European integration and common development, including common policies, systems, standards and regulations
  
  The report presents different types of actors' views on added value and positive incentives for participating in EU project, but also negative aspects. Systematic approaches and own strategies for participation, Swedish participation in European partnerships and the importance of national strategies are also analyzed.