Today, 27^th of October, EFFRA and EIT Manufacturing to formalise collaboration that will support the industry from research to market application.

Brussels, 27 October 2021 - The European Factories of the Future Research Association (EFFRA), the industry-driven association that is representing the private side of the Made in Europe Partnership, is signing a cooperation agreement with EIT Manufacturing. The cooperation between the two entities is intended to make the support available to industry stakeholders more effective, extending it across the entire project cycle and beyond. EIT Manufacturing is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

The distinct and yet complementary goals of the initiatives are expected to bring a multiplication effect for manufacturing in Europe. This Cooperation Agreement points to an important milestone, further to which stakeholders of the initiatives from two different pillars, Made in Europe (Pillar 2) and EIT Manufacturing (Pillar 3). Within this context, future synergies between the ‘Made in Europe’ Programme and EIT Manufacturing can create a huge potential for accelerating the market exploitation of research and innovation activities and maximising their economic and societal impact.

One of the first results of this cooperation between the EIT Manufacturing and EFFRA is the call INNOVATE TOGETHER. This Open Call is focusing on innovation activities aiming to support tested and demonstrated exploitable results coming out from Factories of the Future projects (and in the future of Made in Europe projects) to accelerate their market deployment. The activities will start on the 1st of January 2022.

Željko Pazin, Executive Director of The European Factories of the Future Research Association (EFFRA) says:

“Europe’s manufacturing industries should reinforce its global position in terms of competitiveness, productivity, and technology leadership. The goal is to increase the number of attractive jobs, while at the same time securing the environmental, economic and social sustainability for future generations in Europe. Joining forces with EIT Manufacturing will enhance the achievement of the ambitious goals. Together we will “create”, “develop” and “drive” the Twin-transition of the European Manufacturing.”

Dimitris Mavrikios, Chief Operations Officer of EIT Manufacturing highlights that “Horizon Europe facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of manufacturing research and innovation in Europe, boosting economic growth, and promoting industrial competitiveness. Collaboration between EFFRA and EIT Manufacturing demonstrates a concrete synergy between Pillar 2 and Pillar 3 of Horizon Europe. It operationalizes innovation, education & business creation mechanisms to multiply impact for European Manufacturing and facilitates the alignment of manufacturing community in Europe.”

Let’s shape the future of manufacturing together! Background information

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) strengthens Europe’s ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial talent to create sustainable growth and skilled jobs in Europe. The EIT is an EU body which is an integral part of Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The Institute supports the development of dynamic pan-European partnerships – EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities – among leading companies, research labs and universities. The EIT Community includes eight innovation communities: EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Digital, EIT Food, EIT Health, EIT InnoEnergy, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Raw Materials, and EIT Urban Mobility.

EIT Manufacturing is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. EIT Manufacturing’s main goal is to bring European stakeholders focused on manufacturing together in innovation ecosystems that add unique value to European products, processes and services and inspire the creation of globally competitive and sustainable manufacturing. EIT Manufacturing brings together more than 65 organizations (universities, research institutes and business).

European Factories of the Future Research Association (EFFRA), is a non-for-profit, industry- driven association promoting the development of new and innovative production technologies. EFFRA was established to shape, promote, and support the implementation of the ‘Factories of the Future’ public-private partnership in H2020, and in the future its continuation, the ‘Made in Europe’ European Partnership. The partnership aims to create an industry-led programme in research and innovation with the aim of launching hundreds of market-oriented cross-border projects throughout the European Union. Such projects will produce demonstrators and models to be applied in a wide range of manufacturing sectors.