The European Commission (EC) yesterday (9 April) announced the launch of a Design Support Hub for Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI), within which it will work closely with Member States to shape and design IPCEI candidates following their endorsement.
The Hub's work will allow Member States to directly assign candidates in line with IPCEI rules, which will accelerate the entire process. The launch of the Hub follows the Clean Industrial Deal Communication, published on 26 February 2025.
The launch was announced during a high-level meeting of the Joint European Forum on Important Projects of Common European Interest (JEF-IPCEI). The Forum was attended by Executive Vice-Presidents Teresa Ribera and Stéphane Séjourné and high-level representatives of the Member States.
Discussion at the forum further focused on (i) possible improvements to further simplify and speed up the IPCEI process; (ii) how to use IPCEIs to achieve the objectives set out in the Clean Industrial Deal; and (iii) options to facilitate EU co-financing of IPCEI projects.
The Forum also endorsed the launch of the design phase of a new potential IPCEI candidate on innovative nuclear technologies. Interested Member States will develop its scope and structure with support of the new IPCEI Design Support Hub.
More information about the meeting is available on the JEF-IPCEI webpage.
