National Implementation of the EU-Missionen

The EU Missions are bold, inspiring, and highly visible initiatives that demonstrate the added value of European investments in research and innovation. They were developed jointly by leading experts from across Europe together with the public and will shape European research in the years to come. Their goal is to sustainably improve cancer detection and treatment by 2030 and to develop solutions to address climate change, its impacts on our urban and natural environments, and the biodiversity crisis.

In Austria, experts in five specialized working groups, the Mission Action Groups, have adapted the European mission objectives to national needs. The newly established Mission Management Unit, located within the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), supports the coordination of the national missions. In Austria, we are combining the strengths of research, science, industry, institutions, and the public to achieve the following national goals:

The ambitious objectives of the EU Missions call for bold action and equally ambitious measures in Austria. The potential is enormous. The Mission Management Unit (MMU) within the FFG was established precisely to harness this potential. Under the leadership of Sascha Ruhland, the MMU supports the process of defining and implementing concrete measures in Austria.

Together with partners from public administration, research, business, NGOs, and civil society, the MMU works toward measures that strengthen existing structures and promote innovation. Participation is already strong (see the institutions involved in the Missions), and there is always room for further engagement.

The responsibilities of the MMU include:

• Collaborating with all relevant competence holders and stakeholder groups
• Supporting the development, planning, and implementation of measures
• Contributing to the monitoring of implementation
• Facilitating coordination between the national and European levels

The next major milestone is the implementation of five action plans, one for each EU Mission. Together with dedicated partners from the respective fields, the MMU is developing plans that will pave the way for successful mission outcomes. These action plans include a portfolio of measures to be implemented over the coming years in order to achieve the ambitious goals of the EU Missions. Interested? More information can be found on the pages of the respective Missions.

The Mission Facility supports the national implementation of the EU Missions by organizing specialized training formats and producing key accompanying studies, such as the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and Policy Papers. It is a collaboration of four organizations — AIT, Joanneum Research, ZSI, and Fraunhofer ISI — and operates on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research (BMFWF).

Its main activities include:

• Developing a theory of change for the national implementation of the EU Missions

• Designing a monitoring and evaluation framework for the EU Missions in Austria

• Organizing training sessions specifically tailored to national implementation (for example: citizen engagement, transdisciplinary collaboration, whole-of-government approaches, etc.)

• Hosting reflexive and learning-oriented formats

More information can be found here.

To tackle major challenges, we need the right tools and a solid understanding. The national implementation of the EU Missions relies on both. Each federal province can contribute its knowledge and potential. The Mission Management Unit organizes exchange events in every province in cooperation with regional governments and local partners. These events enable interested stakeholders to contribute their expertise on the EU Missions directly and individually.

In addition, a wide range of support measures is available to assist the national implementation of the EU Missions:

• New study shows pathways for implementing the EU Missions in Austria
  The newly published study “Challenges in Implementing the EU Missions” by Joanneum Research and AIT provides valuable insights and solutions for advancing the implementation of the EU Missions in Austria. The study examines how existing legal, organizational, and financial barriers can be overcome to achieve the ambitious goals of the EU Missions. The authors propose concrete measures, including stronger coordination between research and sectoral ministries, the creation of flexible funding models, and the promotion of local “caretakers” acting as driving forces on the ground. The report emphasizes the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration and innovative governance approaches to ensure sustainable progress.
  You can find the study here.

   

• First successful projects from the FFG call: Expedition Zukunft, Challenges Wasser und Boden
  Solutions are needed to make stored water available for soil and agricultural use during dry periods in an ecologically sustainable way. The following four projects received funding under this call:

1. NaBeWa
2. DIAMONDcleanWATER
3. Hybrid-Wegebau
4. HydroSheepBoost