EGD & EU Programmes

European Union Programmes also provide important funds for projects to be carried out in the field of green transition. Among the Union Programmes, Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Digital Europe and Single Market Programmes are open to the application of institutions and organisations from our country, and within the scope of these programmes, financing and various supports are provided to projects in line with the objectives of the Green Deal Action Plan.

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe, the 9th Framework Programme of the European Union, aims to support science and innovation activities with a budget of 95.5 billion euros between 2021 and 2027.

Within the scope of the EU Missions established by the EU in order to find more comprehensive and concrete solutions to the recent challenges, various targets have been determined within the framework of Horizon Europe. Among the aforementioned targets, Adaptation to Climate Change, Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030, 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030 and A Soil Deal for Europe targets are directly related to the European Green Deal.

Green transformation directs a significant part of Horizon Europe investments. In line with the goal of making the EU the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050, a minimum of 35% of the Horizon Europe Program's current financial resources are directed to climate targets. These funds are used for projects that advance the science of climate change, develop solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt to a changing climate.

The commitment to spend at least 35% of resources on climate action and strengthen investments in biodiversity applies to the entire Horizon Europe Programme, including the European Research Council (ERC), the European Innovation Council (EIC) and Institutionalized European Partnerships.

It is estimated that overall 35.6% of Horizon Europe funds will contribute to climate action and 8.8% to biodiversity-related policy targets. In this regard, the current 2023-2025 work program contributes over 6 billion euros to climate actions under the headings of  Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Research Infrastructures, Expanding Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area, European Innovation Ecosystems and EU Missions.

Contributions to climate action;

• 90% of the Climate, Energy and Mobility Cluster (2.27 billion euros),
• Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Cluster 55% (998 million euros)
• 48% of the Digital, Industrial and Space Cluster (€1.32 billion)
• 5.5% (80 million euros) of the Health Cluster is provided.

In the 2023-2025 period, approximately 65% (806 million euros) of the budget allocated to EU Missions is allocated to climate action.

Digital Europe Programme

The Digital Europe Programme is a new financing program with a total budget of 8.1 billion euros that the EU will implement in the 2021-2027 period, focusing on building strategic digital capacities across Europe and expanding the use of digital technologies.

One of the underlying elements of the Digital Europe Programme is finding solutions to the challenges of making Europe greener and more digital. The Digital Europe Programme for the 2021-2027 period has been created with the aim of creating a greener Europe and at the same time realizing digital transformation in line with the European Commission's European Green Deal.

Within the scope of the Digital Europe Programme, smart and sustainable technologies are encouraged and the use of digital technologies is prioritized to increase energy efficiency, reduce waste and use natural resources more effectively. By unlocking the power of digital technologies, the program contributes to Europe achieving the goals set out in the European Green Deal, including becoming climate neutral by 2050. In the calls opened within the scope of the program, there are references to green transformation and the European Green Deal targets, and the mentioned issues are included in the possible outputs and results of the projects planned to be realized.

In this regard, it is aimed to create data spaces in many sectors, especially agriculture, cultural heritage and smart cities, including the Green Deal, in the field of Artificial Intelligence, for which a total budget of 2.6 billion euros has been allocated, which is among the special targets of the Programme. At the same time, it is aimed to put the created data fields into use through test and experimental facilities and to test technology software and hardware solutions across Europe. The test and experiment facilities in question can be used to achieve the goals specified in the Green Agreement and for green transformation. In this regard, a project with a total budget of 2 million euros was carried out in the past period only within the scope of the Green Deal target.

In addition, training programs, internships and studies on the digital transformation of education will be carried out in the field of Advanced Digital Skills, which is among the special targets and has a budget of 577 million euros. Among the aforementioned studies; these may include training and skills programs for the green workforce, creating digital platforms and online courses to raise awareness on sustainability issues, and creating innovation and entrepreneurship programs to promote green entrepreneurship.

Erasmus+

The Erasmus+ Programme is the EU's grant programme in the fields of education, youth and sports. It supports education, training, internship, professional development, non-formal learning-based youth activities and cooperation between institutions.

The European Green Deal Communication is the European new growth strategy and recognising the key role of schools, training institutions and universities in engaging with pupils, parents, and the wider community on the changes needed for a successful transition to climate neutrality by 2050.

In line with the Communication one of the 3 main priorities of the Erasmus+ Programme, which has a total budget of 28.4 billion Euros for 7 years, was set as " Environment and Fight against Climate Change".

I line with European Green Deal the Erasmus+ Programme aims at:

• providing individuals of all ages with the understanding and skills necessary to create sustainable societies, lifestyles and economies through project activities
• supporting the use of green and innovative practices during the implementation of project activities  (e.g. save resources, reduce energy use, waste and carbon footprint, opt for sustainable food and mobility choices).

Within this regard, the Erasmus+ Programme is a key instrument for building knowledge, skills, and attitudes on climate change and supporting sustainable development within the European Union and beyond.

European Solidarity Corps

European Solidarity Programme (ESC) is the European Union initiative that aims to meet social needs, creating opportunities for young people to volunteer, work or network on projects that benefit society in their own country or abroad, while promoting their personal, educational, social, civil and professional development.

One of the main priorities of the European Solidarity Corps, which has a total budget of 1.1 billion Euros for 7 years, was set as “Environmental Protection, Sustainable Development and Climate Action”

In order to contribute to the European Green Deal, the Programme aims at integrating green practices into all projects and activities as well as promoting environmentally sustainable and responsible behaviour among participants and participating organisations.

Organisations and participants should thus have an environmental friendly approach when designing and implementing their activities.

The Programme also supports projects and activities addressing the societal challenges related to environmental protection, sustainability and climate goals.

Single Market Programme

The Single Market Programme was created by combining 6 different EU Programmes (COSME, Statistics, Consumer, Financial Reporting and Statistical Control, Food Safety, Health and Participation of End Users in Financial Services) implemented in the 2014-2020 period and aims to improve the Internal Market in the Union era, is a program with a budget of 4.21 billion euros that aims to improve statistics for the protection of citizens, consumers and especially SMEs and to produce policies in these areas. For 2021-2027 period Our country participates in the COSME Component of the Programme.

The programme contributes to the objectives of European Green Deal. The programme is expected to contribute 112 million euros to climate sustainability. In this regard, Enterprise Europe Network will support SMEs to use greener and energy efficient technologies and transition to a circular economy. More than 200 consultants who are experts on climate-related issues within the Enterprise Europe Network will work in this direction. The 2023 SME Work Programme includes a new Enterprise Europe Network energy efficiency action with a total budget of 10 million euros.

In line with the European Commission's green transformation priority, various activities are financed under the COSME Component.

Within the scope of COSME Component, The Smart Cities Challenge (ICC), initiated by the European Commission and bringing together smart, socially responsible and sustainable cities, is a supporting mechanism for cities to implement local green agreements and the green transformation of local industries and sectors.

A maximum grant of 5.8 million euros is provided to SMEs in relation to various measures such as joint cluster initiatives, sustainability and local green agreements, especially towards climate targets. Additionally, grant opportunities are offered to institutions regarding European standardization.