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Establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’)

TA-9-2023-0364 · P9_TA(2023)0364 · PE752.782

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Parliament's amended version of the proposed regulation establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) sets up a platform to support strategic technologies and their supply chains in digital, net-zero and biotech sectors. It provides additional funding of EUR 13 billion from existing Union programmes and funds, including the Innovation Fund, InvestEU, Horizon Europe and the European Defence Fund. It creates a Sovereignty Seal for projects meeting quality requirements, a Sovereignty Portal, a STEP Committee and an Industrial Advisory Group, and requires annual reporting and evaluations. It amends several regulations to extend support under cohesion policy funds, InvestEU, Horizon Europe and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and allows transfers from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.

Key points

  1. The platform aims to strengthen European industrial sovereignty, reduce strategic dependencies, accelerate green and digital transitions, and foster cross-border participation and cohesion.
  2. It supports digital technologies, net-zero technologies, and biotechnologies and life sciences, including medicinal products on the Union List of Critical Medicinal Products.
  3. It addresses labour and skills shortages through lifelong learning, apprenticeships and cooperation with social partners and education initiatives.
  4. It fosters deep-tech innovation with transformative potential rooted in cutting-edge science, technology and engineering.
  5. The Commission must adopt a delegated act defining how technologies can meet criticality conditions, reviewed in light of the interim evaluation.
  6. Additional funding of EUR 13 billion is provided: EUR 5 billion for the Innovation Fund, EUR 4.2 billion for InvestEU, EUR 1.3 billion for Horizon Europe, and EUR 2.5 billion for the European Defence Fund.
  7. A Sovereignty Seal is awarded to projects meeting minimum quality requirements, valid during implementation with a no-relocation commitment, and not awarded to entities in non-associated third countries.
  8. The Sovereignty Seal can be used for support under other Union funds or combined funding, and Member States shall prioritise sealed projects in recovery plans and Modernisation Fund decisions.
  9. A STEP Committee is set up to award and promote the Sovereignty Seal, manage the Sovereignty Portal, and coordinate with other structures.
  10. The Commission must establish a Sovereignty Portal with information on funding opportunities, a rapid simulator for project promoters, and visibility for sealed projects.
  11. The Commission must monitor implementation, report annually to Parliament and the Council, and provide an interim evaluation by 31 December 2025 and a final evaluation by 31 December 2031.
  12. Cohesion policy funds, InvestEU, Horizon Europe and the Recovery and Resilience Facility are amended to support STEP objectives, including exceptional pre-financing, increased co-financing rates up to 100%, and transfers from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.

Who is affected

  • Companies and project promoters in digital, net-zero and biotech sectors can seek funding and a Sovereignty Seal.
  • Member States can transfer Brexit Adjustment Reserve funds, request RRF loans, and prioritise sealed projects.
  • SMEs and mid-caps benefit from equity support, advisory services and focus in cohesion policy investments.
  • The Commission must set up the STEP Committee, Sovereignty Portal, and report annually to Parliament and the Council.
  • The EIB Group and other implementing partners are affected by changes to the EU guarantee allocation and signing deadlines.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 13 billion additional funding for STEP.
  • EUR 5 billion for the Innovation Fund.
  • EUR 4.2 billion for InvestEU, increasing the EU guarantee to EUR 10.5 billion.
  • EUR 1.3 billion for Horizon Europe.
  • EUR 2.5 billion for the European Defence Fund.
  • Sovereignty Seal valid for project implementation; if not started within five years, reviewed.
  • Interim evaluation by 31 December 2025; final evaluation by 31 December 2031.
  • Co-financing rates up to 100% for STEP priorities.