Flemish companies are missing out on European subsidies

The European Commission has published its report for 2015 on Horizon 2020. That European programme for research and innovation has a budget of 77 billion euros spread out over 7 years. “Our Flemish universities and research institutes are making good use of the programme,” MEP Anneleen Van Bossuyt confirms. “But our Flemish companies are missing out on a great many potential subsidies.”

“As European Parliament member I have the opportunity to fine-tune the subsidy programme in the coming months,” says Anneleen Van Bossuyt. “I want to involve Flemish companies in it actively. I will put together a group of entrepreneurs to give me an insight into the reasons why they do or do not participate in the programme and what the biggest stumbling blocks and advantages are.” In this regard, the MEP is already pointing out the perverse effect of Flanders’ own investments in research and innovation. This year, they will amount to 2.2 billion euros in total. “Projects are approved much more easily in Flanders than in Europe. So it’s no great surprise that our SMEs are down in 17th place when it comes to getting money from Europe: they opt for the lower threshold in Flanders instead.”

Clear added value

And yet the importance of European research for our economy cannot be denied: “Every euro invested in European research yields 11 euros. That’s a return of over 1,000%,” according to Anneleen Van Bossuyt’s calculations. “In the field of research, Europe has a clear added value, and it is the best investment in times of economic downturn,” she concludes.