Pillar Two

Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness

Pillar II moves beyond the societal challenges familiar under Horizon 2020, tackling major global challenges and addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to ‘improve people’s lives and to protect the planet for future generation’.  At the same time the calls under Pillar II will address Europe’s competitiveness in technology, embracing challenges which are often complex and require interdisciplinary solutions and activities from research to innovation. Pillar II is organised into six clusters, with a supporting area (JRC activites), and crosscutting ‘Missions’.

Useful links

Cluster 1. Health

Research aims to improve and protect the health and well-being of citizens of all ages by generating new knowledge, developing innovative solutions and integrating a gender perspective to prevent, diagnose, monitor, treat and cure diseases. Further aims include developing new health technologies, mitigating health risks, protecting populations and promoting good health and well-being in general and at work. The cluster also aims to make public health systems more cost-effective, equitable and sustainable, prevent and tackle poverty-related diseases and support and enable patients'.

Cluster 2. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society

Research will strengthen European democratic values, including rule of law and fundamental rights, safeguarding our cultural heritage, and promoting socio-economic transformations that contribute to inclusion and growth.

Cluster 3. Civil Security for Society

Research will respond to the challenges arising from persistent security threats, including cybercrime, as well as natural and man-made disasters.

Cluster 4. Digital, Industry and Space

Proposed investments and research will shape competitive and trusted technologies for European industry with global leadership in key areas, enabling production and consumption to respect the boundaries of our planet, and maximising the benefits for all parts of society in the variety of social, economic and territorial contexts in Europe. This will build a competitive, digital, low-carbon and circular industry, ensure sustainable supply of raw materials, develop advanced materials and provide innovation in global challenges.

Cluster 5. Climate, Energy and Mobility

Research aims to fight climate change by better understanding its causes, evolution, risks, impacts and opportunities, and by making the energy and transport sectors more climate and environment-friendly, more efficient and competitive, smarter, safer and more resilient.

Cluster 6. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Research aims at reducing environmental degradation, halting and reversing the decline of biodiversity on land, inland waters and sea and better managing natural resources. It will ensure food and nutrition security through knowledge, innovation and digitalisation and steer and accelerate the transition to a low carbon, resource efficient circular economy and sustainable bioeconomy, including forestry.

Missions

EU missions are commitments to solve some of the greatest challenges facing our world like fighting cancer, adapting to climate change, protecting our oceans, living in greener cities and ensuring soil health and food.

Non-nuclear direct actions of the Joint Research Centre

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the European Commission's science and knowledge service which provides independent scientific advice and support to EU policy, and generate high-quality scientific evidence for good public policies.