Working in Europe: An overview

The European Union offers extensive opportunities for organisations to foster innovation through different EU initiatives, such as networks, funding programs, and already funded projects. Navigating this ecosystem strategically can be challenging. This article outlines a step-by-step approach to successfully engage with the EU innovation landscape through different examples of how FundingBox has been supporting organisations to work in Europe.

What We Mean by EU Initiatives

When we refer to “EU initiatives”, we are encompassing the diverse programmes, networks, projects, and strategic priorities established or supported by the European Union. These are designed to foster cooperation, drive innovation, address societal challenges, and promote specific policy goals across Europe.

Specifically, EU initiatives include:

• Funding Programmes: Such as Horizon Europe, the Digital Europe Programme, and Cascade Funding opportunities, which provide financial support for cutting-edge research, development, and more. There are other funding programmes connected to border EU policy to enhance cross-border cooperation, and reduce disparities in research and innovation (like the WIDERA programme). 
• Innovation Networks and Collaborative Platforms: Like European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), facilitate expertise exchange, access to cutting-edge technologies, and support for digital strategies, bridging gaps between research and market application. Or the AI on demand platform for instance, that provides access to AI tools, resources, and expertise to support research, innovation, and adoption of trustworthy. 
• Flagship Projects: Specific large-scale projects or programmes launched by the European Commission (EC) aimed at achieving significant objectives in areas like digital transformation. Examples include Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs), which provide real-world environments for testing AI, robotics, and other advanced technologies, and AI Factories, which support the development and deployment of artificial intelligence solutions across Europe. 
• Specific Activities within Projects:

  This includes participation in working groups, advisory boards, workshops, and networking events that are part of larger EU projects. EU projects have a length that goes from 3-6 years and aim at creating environments for knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and cross-border partnerships. These facilitate connections between various stakeholders, including businesses, academic institutions, and public bodies.

  In essence, EU initiatives represent the mechanisms and frameworks through which the EU implements its strategic vision and enables collaboration and growth across its member states and beyond.

The Challenge

For many organisations, the sheer volume and complexity of available EU initiatives, including diverse funding opportunities, intricate networks, and numerous flagship projects from the European Commission (EC), present a significant challenge. It can be difficult to discern who does what, understand the specific roles of various programmes, and identify the tangible benefits relevant to their unique needs. This lack of clarity often results in significant missed opportunities, hindered innovation, and a distinct competitive disadvantage, as organisations fail to capitalise on vital funding, limit their market reach, and overlook valuable partnerships. This article explores concrete actions organisations can take to navigate these complexities.

Key Benefits of Engaging with EU Initiatives

• Access to resources: Initiatives provide access to funding, research collaborations, and expert knowledge.
• Expanded influence: Being part of EU initiatives increases visibility and influence.
• Collaboration & knowledge exchange: Networks foster innovation and best practices among members.
• Participation in EU initiatives: Facilitates active involvement in EU projects and understanding EU priorities.
• Building strategic partnerships: EU networks are crucial for scaling and internationalising innovation projects.

FundingBox has developed a four-step approach to enhance engagement with EU initiatives, designed to provide organisations with clarity, strategic alignment, and proactive involvement.

Step 1: Conduct a Needs Analysis

Before engaging with EU initiatives, organisations should conduct a thorough needs analysis to clarify strategic goals and identify suitable partners.

• Define your goals: Establish clear objectives for innovation, expansion, or collaboration within the EU framework.
• Assess your capabilities: Evaluate internal resources, technological readiness, and identify gaps EU funding or collaboration could address.
• Identify key EU initiatives and funding opportunities: Map initiatives and research programs (e.g., Horizon Europe, Digital Europe Programme, Cascade funding) that align with your objectives, assessing eligibility criteria for successful engagement.

One effective way to connect with EU initiatives, access opportunities, and receive tailored support is through the Supportive Partners initiative. This programme not only helps participants navigate the complex EU ecosystem and establish international collaborations but also strengthens local networks by enabling them to tap into EU funding and opportunities more effectively. By facilitating cross-border networking and driving growth, Supportive Partners play a crucial role in bringing European innovation closer to regional actors and communities.

Another example of a service we have been providing for a few years now, is the support to organisation in participating in EU projects, recently, FundingBox has supported Korean organisations in scaling into Europe by assessing their goals, mapping opportunities, and connecting them with top organisations in Europe to work together in EU projects, even offering proposal submission guidance. This ensured purposeful engagement. Also, in the framework of European projects, FundingBox developed a European public funding opportunities report highlighting opportunities for Laser-Based Advanced Manufacturing technologies, reviewing key EU funding programs and providing tailored recommendations. 

Step 2: Identifying Collaborators 

Once needs and objectives are clear, find initiatives that complement your mission and enhance capabilities.

• Evaluate strategic fit: Assess potential partners or collaborators based on shared interests, expertise, and long-term potential, establishing clear expectations and roles early.
• Engage in EU initiatives: Use opportunities such as EDIH-led programmes to establish connections and get access to first-hand information on EU activities, events and other opportunities.  
• Engage with EU projects: Organisations can greatly benefit from participating in EU project funded activities (e.g., working groups, workshops) even without being formal partners to access knowledge, insights, and expert collaboration.Through activities managed and supported by FundingBox, participants can benefit from services like matchmaking, training, and financial support that promote digital technology adoption and address societal challenges.

An example on how FundingBox helps organisations connect with EU opportunities has been through the organisation of free trainings and info sessions on different technological solutions, funding or policy updates. With the support of our Supportive Partners, we are increasing our reach with local actors. Our Supportive Partners members, typically intermediary organisations like Business Support Organisations, clusters or local innovation agencies, bridge the gap between top-tier European tech and local businesses, especially SMEs, ensuring innovation reaches end-users. A clear example has been the collaboration with EDIH CROBOHUB+ translated an EU open call on cybersecurity into Croatian to make it accessible to more local SMEs, demonstrating how regional actors can localise EU opportunities and build bridges between projects. 

Step 3: Facilitating Meaningful Introductions

Building effective partnerships requires structured engagement and trust-building.

• Participate in events organised by EU initiatives: Take part in EU innovation summits, industry forums, and matchmaking events for direct interaction with potential partners and European initiatives. Many of these opportunities are promoted by EU projects and European Digital Innovation Hubs, offering structured avenues to connect, collaborate, and explore funding prospects.
• Foster long-term collaboration: Focus on relationships offering sustainable value, establishing formal agreements such as MoUs or consortium agreements to solidify cooperation.

At automatica 2025, our Start-Up Arena connected 30+ robotics, AI, automation, and photonics startups with investors, corporates, and EU funding experts, creating opportunities for funding, collaboration, and international growth. The participants were invited to join FundingBox through automatica, because they have benefited from the support of projects such as PhotonHub, TARGET-X, among others.

Step 4: Developing a Roadmap for Success

A structured action plan with defined goals, milestones, and KPIs is essential for maximising EU collaborations’ impact.

• Define clear milestones: Establish short and long-term objectives to track progress, including measurable outcomes.
• Align with EU strategic priorities: Ensure initiatives contribute to broader EU goals (digitalisation, sustainability, cross-border cooperation). This can help your organisation to identify current trends, keep updated with policy developments and be prepared for the future EU developments in certain specific areas or sectors.
• Measure impact and scalability: Regularly assess performance and explore scaling successful initiatives, developing mechanisms to share results and best practices.

In projects like PULSATE, I4MS, and Change2Twin, FundingBox built structured plans including joint dissemination, co-created success stories, impact monitoring via KPIs, and “Best-in-Class Experiments” awards to scale use cases. 

Conclusion: Shaping the Future of Digital Innovation in Europe

For Europe to remain a leader in digital transformation, organisations must actively seize the resources and opportunities already available through EU initiatives. This means making the most of funding programmes, participating in events and networking activities, and engaging with collaborative projects that connect them to partners across Europe. By following a structured approach—from conducting a needs analysis and identifying relevant initiatives to building connections, staying engaged, and developing a roadmap—organisations can unlock immediate benefits, strengthen their innovation capacity, and contribute to a dynamic, sustainable European innovation ecosystem.

Join the Supportive Partner Programme!

The Supportive Partners Programme helps organisations like yours truly support your local community as technology changes. By teaming up with European projects, European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), and various tech experts, you can bring fresh opportunities and important insights directly to local businesses. You can also work together on special tech events, bringing the newest solutions and funding chances straight to your community. This means local businesses get practical ways to connect with Europe’s digital progress and stay strong for the future.

This initiative is free of charge, it has been built to maximise the impact of European innovation and ensure local companies or organisations can access results, resources and opportunities grounded in EU initiatives. Find out more here or shoot us a line at: maria.roca@fundingbox.com.