The project 'STI International Cooperation Network for EaP Countries Plus (EaP PLUS)' aims to stimulate cooperation between researchers from the EaP countries and EU MS and enhance the active participation of the Eastern Partnership countries in Horizon 2020 Framework Programme. Building on the results of the predecessor FP7 project 'IncoNet EaP', the project will eliminate remaining obstacles to EU-EaP STI cooperation through a number of innovative and targeted actions: (a) strategic priority setting through supporting EU-EaP policy dialogue and through maximizing the impact of the association to Horizon 2020; (b) stronger interaction between researchers & participation in H2020, i.e. Info days, cooperation with scientific diaspora, and grants for networking; (c) promotion of the research-innovation interface supporting communities of excellence, i.e. co-patenting analyses, clustering schemes, promotion of the technology platforms concept to EaP countries; (d) optimal framework conditions and increasing coordination in policies and programmes through training seminars for STI policymakers, increased coordination and synergies between policies and programmes of EU/MS and EaP, i.e. JPIs, COST, national programmes; (e) communication and outreach through innovative actions

The 2030 & 2050 Green Deal goals push EU towards integrated solutions & clear targets. EcoDaLLi, embedded in the Mission 'Restore our Ocean, seas & waters by 2030' will help achieve freshwater targets of European Green Deal, integrating a systemic approach for restoration, protection & preservation for the entire Danube Basin, provided by coordinated actions. The main objective of EcoDaLLi is to centralise Danube governance structures in terms of innovative solutions for improved ecological restoration, protection and preservation of the Danube basin and its Delta by fostering a stronger innovation ecosystem within a well-connected Practices Living Lab System, supported by a digital Portal, completly linked to the Mission Implementation Platform. Innovative solutions open new opportunities for better water restoration, taking into consideration social innovation aspects, reducing climate change effects and reducing also costs. An improved governance at Danube Basin level, based on dedicated EcoDaLLi tools will foster such innovative solutions, change mindsets on water ecosystems restoration and climate change and develop value chains based on ecosystem services. This will contribute to the decarbonisation goal of Green Deal, cleaner water, improved state of the environment, land creation of jobs in sensitive areas along the basin, especially in the Danube Delta. EcoDaLLi will support innovators connect to governance structures, providing and maintaining networks, trough dedicated Living Labs for knowledge co-creation, workshops, a custom made digital portal for synergies, and innovation support services, to experiment with new solutions, helping the innovation ecosystem to create circular services towards Sustainable Blue Economy in the Danube Basin and beyond.

The mission of the NCP4Industry - Cluster 4 Industry NCP Network is to set the basis of equal and consistent National Contact Points' services on the industry sector, by facilitating trans-national co-operation between NCPs within the Cl4 Industry and by fostering the circulation of knowledge, good practices and available opportunities among industrial research and innovation communities. The Cluster 4 Industry NCP Network is the main source of practical information and assistance in participation in the Cluster 4 Industry related Destionations and Topic Calls of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme. The network will support the Cluster 4 Industry National Contact Points (NCPs) and the European R&I community. The new consortium consists of 17 officially nominated NCP organizations and has an excellent representation from Member States, Associated Countries and Widening Countries. Nevertheless, the entire network of CL4 Industry NCPs goes beyond these 17 project beneficiaries: NCP4Industry counts with all CL4 Industry NCPs not only by offering tailored support, but also by including them in the planning of activities in order to meet their needs and the needs of their clients. The R&I community will benefit from NCP4Industry, accessing relevant background information about HE Industry related calls for proposals, benefiting of matchmaking events, mentoring and training activities, and enhaning the access to funding opportunities thankful to knowledge transfer and communication measures. The NCP4Industry project outcomes will therefore lowering accessing barriers to European funding, through a consistent level of European and National services provided by the National Contact Points across Europe and beyond.