Connecting Energy National Contact Points in a pro-active network under Societal Challenge 3 ‘Secure, clean and efficient energy’ in Horizon 2020

Project Information

C-Energy 2020 V2

Grant agreement ID: 831748

DOI

10.3030/831748

Project closed

EC signature date 3 April 2019

Start date 1 January 2019

End date 31 December 2020

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 499 999,16

EU contribution

€ 499 999,16

Coordinated by

AGENZIA PER LA PROMOZIONE DELLA RICERCA EUROPEA
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - C-Energy 2020 V2 (Connecting Energy National Contact Points in a pro-active network under Societal Challenge 3 ‘Secure, clean and efficient energy’ in Horizon 2020)

Reporting period: 2020-01-01 to 2020-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

C-Energy 2020 V2 Project aims at the following three specific objectives:
1. improve the knowledge and skills of the Energy NCPs, particularly of NCPs in those countries that have been participating at low levels in the programme up to now;
2. raise the general standard of support to programme applicants and simplify access to Horizon 2020 calls for newcomers and applicants from widening countries by supporting the provision of a high quality, professional Energy NCP services for Horizon 2020;
3. facilitate transnational cooperation amongst Energy NCPs including non-beneficiaries.
C-Energy 2020 V2 plays a strategic role in the framework of Horizon 2020 implementation targeting the National Contact Points (NCPs) under the Societal Challenge 3 ‘Secure, clean and efficient energy’ to enable them in acquiring all the skills and knowledge required to provide the best support for Horizon 2020 potential applicants and raise the average quality of proposals submitted under the EU Framework Programme for R&I. The Project, therefore, permits NCPs to duly perform the mission allocated to them by the European Commission and the R&I national systems, that is so say to provide practical information, personalised assistance and guidance on all aspects of participation in Horizon 2020 in all EU Member States, Countries Associated and Third Countries.
In addition, C-Energy 2020 V2 plays an important role for collecting feedback on bottlenecks and difficulties in the implementation of Horizon 2020 itself, also in view of shaping the new Framework Programme.
The Energy Societal Challenge in Horizon 2020 is one of the most important in terms of earmarked budget. This reflects the special attention the European Commission attaches to the shift towards an energy secure, competitive, climate resilient and low-carbon economy. This energy transition is underpinned by the EU 2020 and 2030 energy and climate objectives and is part of the longer term EU strategy for the emissions reduction by 2050 (80-95% compared to 1990 levels). The launch of the European Energy Union package in February 2015 confirmed that energy is a top priority for the European Commission that set the ambitious goal for the EU to become 'the world number one in renewable energies'. Within the EU energy policy framework and the path traced by the revised European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan), activities under C-Energy 2020 V2 will play a pivotal role in supporting the mobilisation of Europe's untapped innovation potential and channeling it into Horizon 2020 in order to help generate innovative low-cost and low-carbon energy solutions and assure they may have an impact on the EU citizens' lives.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the reporting period, C-Energy 2020 V2 Project performed the following activities:
WP1 Project Management --> Organisation of meetings:
• 21/01/2019 Management Board Meeting
• 23/01/2019 Kick off Meeting (General Assembly)
• 14/02/2019 Management Board Meeting (virtual)
• 14/03/2019 Management Board Meeting (virtual)
• 09/04/2019 Management Board Meeting (virtual)
• 13/05/2019 Management Board Meeting (virtual)
• 18/06/2019 Management Board Meeting
• 03/10/2019 Management Board Meeting (virtual)
• 12/11/2019 Management Board Meeting
• 12/12/2019 Management Board Meeting (virtual)
• 19/02/2020 Management Board Meeting (virtual)
• 09/04/2020 Management Board Meeting (virtual)
• 27/05/2020 Management Board Meeting (virtual)
• 09/09/2020 Management Board Meeting (virtual)
• 21/09/2020 Management Board Meeting (virtual)
• 03/11/2020 Management Board Meeting (virtual)
• 20/11/2020 Management Board Meeting (virtual)
• 15-16/12/2020 Final Meeting (General Assembly) (virtual)
WP2 Capacity Building for NCPs --> C-Energy 2020 V2 focused to providing Energy NCPs the knowledge and skills to enable them to improve the overall NCP services provided to Horizon 2020 applicants. In particular in the frame of the project were organised:
• 4 webinars;
• 1 onsite training;
• 9 webinars of the MOOC series;
• 2 NCPs masterclasses;
• 1 Meet and Exchange Workshop.
WP3 Dialogue with Energy Participants --> Specific activities were carried out in order to enhance the awareness of the applicants about the services of the Energy NCPs and the network C-ENERGY 2020 V2. First of all the trainings for stakeholders: 5 trainings for stakeholders in different Countries with an average of more than 20 participants for each training were organised during the reporting period. An important appointment for the Energy applicants is the C-Energy 2020 V2 Brokerage event: during the project were organised 4 brokerage events.
WP4 Outreaching --> C-ENERGY 2020 V2 has established several collaboration with other NCP thematic networks and other projects in order to increase the activities and services benefitting the Energy NCPs. The cooperation with EEN (Enterprise Europe Network) is very important for increasing the possibilities to offer services to the H2020 applicants and also with the NCP Academy.
WP5 Communication and Dissemination --> The website is updated with information and events. Social media is increasingly used for communication and dissemination activities of the project. Both Facebook and Twitter pages are constantly updated: https://www.facebook.com/C-Energy-2020-1443912772585144/; https://twitter.com/c_energy2020
The network have a significant visibility among energy stakeholders thanks to the Project’s involvement in more than hundred of events (both at National and European level) accordingly to the communication and dissemination plan.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The expected impacts set for the C-ENERGY 2020 V2 network are the following:
- An improved, more consistent and professionalised NCP service across Europe, thereby helping to simplify access to Horizon 2020 calls, and lowering the entry barriers for newcomers
- An increase in the quality of proposals submitted, including those from countries where success rates are currently lower than average
The C-ENERGY 2020 project objectives were achieved, despite the disruption/curtailment of physical events due to the COVID situation, with 97% of respondent to the final project survey stating that they think they will continue to use the skills and knowledge gained through the C-Energy project.
A more informed and trained NCP can offer at local/national level a more high quality service and increase the quality of proposals submitted as a result. Wherever possible consideration was given to engaging NCPs from countries with low participation and success rates. For example, the Onsite training was organised in a country with low participation and with the active support from the local NCP both in the organisation and in the preparation of the agenda in a learning by doing approach.
A total of 93% of NCPs responding to the final survey felt the service they provided had improved as a result of knowledge gained under the project.
97% of respondents to the final project survey stated that they think they will continue to use the skills and knowledge gained through the C-Energy project.

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