The European Commission has published a non-binding Guidance Note to facilitate the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2024/795 establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).
Launched on 1 March 2024, STEP aims to strengthen Europe's technological capabilities by raising and steering funding across EU programmes to three critical sectors: digital technologies and deep-tech innovation, clean and resource efficient technologies and biotechnologies. STEP also intends to address shortages of labour and skills necessary to the development of these technologies. It is in line with the Union's broader objectives of reducing strategic dependencies, enhancing economic security and strengthening industrial resilience.
This Guidance Note provides practical insights into specific provisions of the STEP Regulation, ensuring a smoother implementation while preserving the rights and obligations enshrined in the legislation. It acts as a compass for project promoters, guiding them through the intricacies of the STEP Regulation, such as the conditions to be met for a technological sector to be considered critical.
Public support through EU programmes must respect the state aid rules.
For further information: see Commission’s Guidance Note.