The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is an EU initiative launched in 2024 to strengthen the competitiveness of the EU industry by supporting investments in key technological areas.
CRIDO has developed 10 proposals to ensure the effective implementation of STEP into the Polish public funding system. As a result, Polish companies will have easier access to EU funds, and foreign investors will be encouraged to invest in Poland.
Poland faces a huge challenge in better utilizing EU funds and building its competitive advantage. EU countries have been called to take on the challenge in the race against the United States and China by focusing on three key areas:
- Digital technologies and deep-tech innovations,
- Clean and resource-efficient technologies,
- Biotechnology and critical medicines.
The key to success is the efficient and rapid implementation of the EU STEP (Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform) initiative into national systems. The funds allocated for this purpose will not only increase the competitiveness of the Polish economy but can also act as an incentive for placing new investments in Poland and stimulate investment activity from entities already operating in the domestic market.
CRIDO, based on its nearly 20 years of experience in obtaining public funding, has developed 10 proposals that will ensure the Polish STEP project support system operates effectively, providing entrepreneurs easier access to EU funds.
The list of proposals is as follows:
- Enabling support for different types of projects
- A broad catalog of legal bases for granting public aid
- Ensuring the strategic nature of co-financed projects
- Separate allocation for STEP projects in programs other than FENG
- Introducing preferences for STEP projects in currently available competitions
- Two-stage competition procedure for STEP projects
- Creation of a one-stop-shop for STEP SEAL projects
- Separate pool of funds for STEP SEAL projects
- Simplification of competition procedures for STEP SEAL projects
- Rapid implementation of STEP in the Polish project financing system
For a complete description of the STEP initiative and the content of the proposals, please visit the link: https://crido.pl/report/postulaty-dotyczace-wdrozenia-inicjatywy-step-w-polsce/
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