H2020: Pillar 3 – Societal Challenges

This Work Programme will leverage research and innovation to address major societal challenges:

• Ensuring food and nutritional security, together with resource efficiency, and facing climate change. 
• Sustainably exploiting the potential of the oceans, which cover 70% of the earth’s surface and host 50% of known species. Over 90% of the ocean habitat is in the deep sea and less than 10% of this has been explored.
• Promoting dynamic territorial development, through the mobilisation of rural and coastal economies. Rural or semi-rural areas represent about 88% of EU territory and account for 46% of the Gross Value Added and 55% of jobs.
• Boosting investment, employment and economic growth in the European Union. The various sectors accounted under the bioeconomy are already worth EUR 2 trillion in annual turnover and account for more than 22 million jobs, and their potential is still greater.

Full details of this work programme are available via this publication from the Commission.

See the Research Professional listing of Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine and Maritime and Inland Water Research and the Bioeconomy opportunities.

Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine and Maritime and Inland Water Research and the Bioeconomy National Contact Points
	Patrick Barrett – Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine [email protected] 01-6072302
	Richard Howell - Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine [email protected] 01-6072572
	Fiona Grant - Marine Institute [email protected] 01-4766513
	John Evans - Marine Institute [email protected] 091-387200

The European Energy Union, as set out in the recent framework strategy, calls for increased energy security, solidarity and trust, a fully integrated European energy market, improved energy efficiency contributing to the moderation of demand, a decarbonisation of the economy as well as increased efforts as regards research, innovation and competitiveness.

With more than EUR 1 billion dedicated to supporting energy-related research and innovation activities in 2016-2017, this Work Programme is as a key instrument to progress towards an European Energy Union which provides EU consumers – households and businesses – with secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy. Achieving this goal will require a fundamental transformation of Europe's energy system.

Full details of this work programme are available via this publication from the Commission.

See the Research Professional listing of Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy opportunities.

Smart, Clean and Efficient Energy National Contact Points
	Joanne Sheahan - Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland [email protected] 01-8082100
	Philip Cheasty - Enterprise Ireland [email protected] 021-4800216

The Transport Challenge ‘Smart, green and integrated transport’ is aimed at achieving a European transport system that is resilient, resource-efficient, climate- and environmentallyfriendly, safe and seamless for the benefit of all citizens, the economy and society.

Funding priorities will be geared towards the present and future needs of citizens, businesses and EU markets, and strive to maximise value for the transport sector, the wider economy and ultimately, the people. These priorities are aimed at creating new opportunities for sustainable growth and employment.

Full details of this work programme are available via this publication from the Commission.

See the Research Professional listing of Smart, green and integrated transport opportunities.

Smart, Green and Integrated Transport National Contact Point
	Bob Flynn – Enterprise Ireland [email protected] 061-777050

The objective of the Societal Challenge 'Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials' is to achieve a resource – and water – efficient and climate change resilient economy and society, the protection and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems, and a sustainable supply and use of raw materials, in order to meet the needs of a growing global population within the limits of the planet's natural resources and eco-systems.

To achieve the greatest possible impact of the research and innovation activities in 2016- 2017, this Societal Challenge will – for the areas on climate change, environment and resource efficiency – prioritise actions which take a systemic approach to promote a more resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy as a key part of smart, inclusive and sustainable growth, and to deliver on Horizon 2020’s climate and sustainability goals and the objectives of the General Union Environment Action Programme to 2020.

Full details of this work programme are available via this publication from the Commission.

See the Research Professional listing of Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials opportunities.

Climate Action, Environment Resource Efficiency, and Raw Materials National Contact Points
	Mark Sweeney – Enterprise Ireland [email protected] 01-7272616
	Alice Wemaere - Environmental Protection Agency [email protected] 01-2680146

The European integration project has for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe, and it is a world example in balancing prosperity and social welfare.

The European Union is currently faced with manifold challenges within and beyond its borders. Internally, growing inequality undermines its potential to create prosperity and provide stability. Six million people lost their job during the crisis, more than 120 million people are at risk of poverty and fourteen million youth (15-29 years) are not in education, employment or training. Beyond the need to find new sources of growth and employment, the need to deliver quality public services and renew the legitimacy of public policy-making across Europe put additional strain on governments. 

Full details of this work programme are available via this publication from the Commission.

See the Research Professional listing of Europe in a Changing World – Inclusive, Innovative and Reflective Societies; Widening Participation opportunities.

Europe in a Changing World - Inclusive, Innovative and Reflective Societies; Widening Participation National Contact Points
	Maria O'Brien – IRC [email protected] 01-2315000
	Peter Brown - IRC [email protected] 01-2315000

Secure societies – Protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens. Full details of this work programme are available via this publication from the Commission.

See the Research Professional listing of Secure Societies opportunities.

Secure societies – Protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens National Contact Points
	Michael Murphy – Enterprise Ireland [email protected] 01-7272516