To achieve visible impacts horizon Europe must connect to local innovation dynamics

The European Commission aims to use the new Framework Programme for research and innovation – Horizon Europe – to demonstrate to a greater extent than previously that public investments in research and innovation result in real benefits for society. Drawing on research from the Rathenau Instituut, Laurens Hessels, Sue-Yen Tjong Tjin Tai, Julia Jansen and Jasper Deuten, argue that this ambition can only be achieved if the Commission can link European programmes to the interests of localities in ways that also deliver long term transformational changes.