Funding in the area of the circular economy, the fight against climate change and the defense of the environment, constitute one of the greatest challenges that Europe will have to face in the years to come. At the European level, the Commission operates through three different institutions: the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and the Environment (CINEA), the European Council Executive Agency for Innovation and SMEs (EISMEA) and the European Research Executive Agency (REA). The first plays a fundamental role in supporting the European Green Deal, one of the main strategic priorities of the European Commission, managing 7 EU programs worth around 55 billion euros: Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), Horizon Europe, LIFE Program , European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), Innovation Fund, EU Renewable Energy Financing Mechanism and Just Transition Mechanism. The EISMEA implements the European Innovation Council (EIC), established under the European Horizon Europe program, and manages other EU programs focused on supporting SMEs, innovation and the single market. It has a € 10.1 billion budget (2021-2027) to support innovations throughout their life cycle, from early stage research and feasibility testing, through to technology transfer, funding and expansion of start-ups and SMEs. Climate change widens the protection and financing needs of primary enterprises, which can play an important role in determining the success of policies aimed at both de-carbonization and greater resilience to catastrophe risks of SMEs, which bear about 75% of losses suffered by companies, and by communities often exposed to seismic risks and hydrogeological instability.
The European Research Executive Agency (REA) Established by the European Commission, it implements several EU programs: part of Horizon Europe (including food, bio-economy, natural resources, agriculture and environment), the Research Fund for Coal and Steel and the Promotion of agricultural products. Between 2021 and 2027 REA will invest over 22.7 billion euros to support research and innovation. The agency will thus contribute to achieving the climate action goals set out in the European Green Deal and the five EU missions for a greener, healthier, inclusive and resilient Europe.
