Brussels: The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have signed an agreement to renew the Project Development Assistance (PDA) under the Innovation Fund. This renewal aims to enhance technical and financial advisory support for innovative decarbonisation projects, particularly those not selected via the Fund or preparing to apply. The Commission has significantly increased the budget for EIB Advisory and the new PDA phase, raising it from £24 million to £90 million.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the agreement aligns with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal, which seeks to boost net-zero technologies and enhance the EU’s competitiveness. It promises Project Development Assistance to approximately 250 projects between 2025 and 2028, ensuring a smoother application process and broader sectoral coverage. This includes new sectors such as net-zero and low-carbon mobility in maritime, rail, and road transport, as well as buildings. The initial Innovation Fund PDA programme supported 62 innovative projects, with 16 securing Innovation Fund grants and others receiving national or other programme funding.
The European Commission has also taken significant steps to protect workers’ health by restricting the use of chemical substances N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) and 1-ethylpyrrolidin-2-one (NEP). These solvents are widely used in industrial processes and laboratories. The new measures, adopted under the EU’s REACH Regulation, establish strict exposure limits to safeguard workers who handle these substances regularly. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will update guidelines to help companies comply with the new requirements. The restriction will come into effect in 18 months, with a four-year transition for DMAC in the man-made fibres sector.
In another development, the European Commission has updated the EU Air Safety List, banning all air carriers certified in Tanzania and Suriname from operating in the EU. This decision is based on serious safety concerns identified by EU aviation safety experts, highlighting deficiencies in national aviation oversight in these countries. The ban now includes a total of 169 airlines restricted from EU skies. Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas emphasized the importance of passenger safety and urged both countries to address these issues promptly, with the Commission ready to support their efforts.
The European Commission continues to attract international students, with over 3,200 students from more than 100 countries set to start an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master programme. More than 2,200 of these students will receive EU-funded scholarships. The programmes cover a wide range of sectors, equipping graduates with essential skills for future roles. The initiative aims to strengthen Europe and participating countries by attracting international talent.
Additionally, the European Commission, in collaboration with the European Investment Bank, is investing £20 million in the development of nasal sprays designed to protect against respiratory viruses. The investment, through the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), targets innovative solutions to provide broad protection against existing and new viruses. HERA Invest, backed by £110 million from the EU4Health programme, aims to enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy in health emergency preparedness.
Furthermore, the EU launched a prototype of a digital ocean platform at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice. The Digital Twin of the Ocean (EU DTO) integrates satellite data, observations, artificial intelligence, and modelling tools to support effective decision-making in marine policy. This initiative reflects broader efforts to manage marine resources and address climate-related challenges.
Other significant events include the EU Green Week 2025 in Brussels, focusing on circular and sustainable economic models. Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, emphasized the need for a mindset change to implement a circular economy across sectors. The event brings together policymakers, industry experts, and stakeholders to discuss circular economy principles and the upcoming Circular Economy Act.