The European Commission has officially adopted the Horizon Europe Work Programme for 2026–2027, unlocking €14 billion in new funding opportunities for research and innovation. In a decisive shift toward sustainable growth and industrial transformation, at least 35% of this budget—a staggering €4.9 billion—is earmarked for climate action.
This major investment supports a science-driven and innovation-led approach to climate mitigation, adaptation and competitiveness. As Europe continues to advance its strategic autonomy, programmes like Horizon are shaping the future of industry, sustainability and digitalisation across Member States.
The Clean Industrial Deal: Supporting Technologies Ready for Deployment
Among the standout additions in the 2026–2027 programme is a new €540 million horizontal call under the “Clean Industrial Deal.” This initiative targets “fit-for-deployment” solutions across two high-impact areas: clean technologies for climate action and decarbonisation in energy-intensive industries. The call, opening on 18 December 2025, specifically invites projects with strong industrial leadership and market-readiness strategies.
This push reflects the growing demand across Europe for advanced service providers, for technology adoption and innovation outsourcing platforms that can deliver results quickly and at scale. For many organisations seeking to enhance their sustainability and digitalisation goals, access to tailored digital transformation solutions will be key.
Where Does the Climate Funding Go? A Look into the Clusters and Missions
Within the programme’s structure, Pillar II “Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness” dominates climate funding allocation, with key Clusters providing targeted support:
- Cluster 4 (Digital, Industry & Space): €437 million to support clean industry, advanced materials and circular economy principles.
- Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy & Mobility): €1.644 billion for energy storage, renewables, CCUS, and sustainable transport.
- Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources & Environment): €778 million to promote sustainable land and water use, resilient ecosystems and circular bioeconomy models.
In parallel, Horizon Europe Missions will channel over €690 million into cross-cutting climate adaptation, smart cities, and soil health. These programs focus on scalable, community-level innovation solutions and foster cross-sector collaboration among research institutions, governments, and businesses.
Matching Innovation Needs with Funding Opportunities
As Horizon Europe enters its final programming cycle (2021–2027), the 2026–2027 Work Programme signals a clear shift toward results-driven innovation procurement and partnerships that accelerate both climate impact and industrial competitiveness.
For businesses, research organisations and startups across the EU, this new wave of funding means more opportunities to align with the European Green Deal, Net-Zero Industry Act, and digital transformation targets. But navigating this complex ecosystem often requires the right partnerships.
This is where platforms like JOIST Marketplace come in. As a growing innovation marketplace and tech solutions platform based in Greece with global reach, JOIST helps organisations find digital innovation partners, respond to business innovation challenges, and explore real-world applications for emerging technologies.
Whether you’re a service provider for advanced technology adoption or a business seeking to address innovation challenges, JOIST Marketplace offers an efficient, secure, and transparent way to connect, collaborate and scale. For more information you can reach out to marketplace@joistpark.eu
