Collective projects

The challenge consists of developing innovative solutions for the delivery of humanitarian aid based on frugal application of advanced technologies.

« Carlos J. Finlay » est le Partenariat Hubert Curien franco-cubain. Il est mis en œuvre en France par le Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères (MEAE) et le Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche (MESR), et dans le pays partenaire par le Ministère du Commerce Extérieur et de l’Investissement Etranger (MINCEX).

Specific Challenge

European researchers need effective and convenient access to the best research infrastructures in order to conduct research for the advancement of knowledge and technology. The aim of this action is to bring together, integrate on European scale, and open up key national and regional research infrastructures to all European researchers, from both academia and industry, ensuring their optimal use and joint development.

Large amounts of valuable health data are generated and collected during and between citizens' medical examinations across Europe. However, opportunities to reuse these data for research and better healthcare are often missed because health data continue to be confined in data silos, often not matching semantic standards, quality needs and safe data exchange techniques. With 24 official languages spoken across EU Member States, the EU eHealth interoperability task is even more daunting.

The integration and use of renewable energy in buildings for heat and power generation still encounter unsolved technological problems linked to the security and reliability of energy supply and related costs. Partly, it is due to unpredictable fluctuation of some renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind. The difficulty is even greater in cases where a 100% security of energy supply is essential such as for hospitals and especially when several renewable energy sources are used.

The theme of smart, green and integrated transport has been identified as one of the major societal challenges which will be addressed within the framework of Horizon 2020. The 2011 Transport White Paper further reinforces the importance of taking action in this domain during the next decade. Urban mobility is a particularly challenging task.

One of the major challenges defined in the European Innovation Agenda and which also has to be addressed within the framework of Horizon 2020, is the competitiveness of Union Member States on the global market. One of the sectors where the problem is particularly urgent is manufacturing.

Our future is intimately linked to the future of the seas, oceans and coasts. The seas, oceans and coasts provide multiple ecosystem services and a wealth of resources, influence climate and provide many economic opportunities. To fully profit from the seas and oceans also in the future, we have to preserve those valuable resources and ensure that their exploitation is sustainable. Furthermore, without appropriate ocean observations for forecasting and for the protection of property and human activities, the global economy would lose hundreds of billions of euros annually.

Decoupling of plastics production from fossil feedstock is necessary. In addition to the recycled plastics waste, alternative feedstock such as biomass is part of a more resource-efficient, greenhouse gas emission (GHG) neutral solution. The shift towards biomass-sourced plastics will only make sense in the framework of a circular plastics economy where plastics reuse and recycling are maximised. Reuse and recycling of plastics, particularly for some applications such as packaging, remain very low.

With their capacity to connect people, places, public and private actors, cities can substantially enhance innovation in Europe and improve the quality of citizens’ lives. New approaches to undertake and deploy innovative practices are gaining support, marking the shift from traditional top-down schemes to stronger bottom-up practices, where citizens are increasingly co-shaping public policies in an open, transparent way.