The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has presented a new strategic vision that will reinforce Europe’s innovation capacity under the EU’s next long-term budget cycle from 2028 to 2034
Part of this vision is a new Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) Model, which will streamline operations, create better partnerships with industry, and ensure financial sustainability from the start.
The updated vision comes after 15 years of experience and success, with the EIT continuing to better its mission to power innovation through a new model that connects business, education, and research in a dynamic ecosystem. This approach has already made significant contributions to Europe’s innovation landscape, with nearly 10,000 companies supported and over €10 billion in external funding leveraged since 2008.
A stronger, better KIC model
The newly proposed KIC Model outlines seven guiding principles that will boost the impact and efficiency of EIT’s innovation communities.
These principles focus on transparent and streamlined governance, stronger leadership from industry partners, and better operational structures. Financial sustainability will be a key requirement from the outset, with KICs expected to deliver long-term value independently.
The EIT also aims to expand its focus into emerging areas of high innovation potential. Some of the themes being considered for future KICs are security and resilience, as well as artificial intelligence and robotics. Both fields are seen as critical for maintaining the EU’s technological edge and economic resilience in the face of global challenges.
Bringing innovation tools together
As part of its broader vision, the EIT is proposing a common EU innovation framework that better connects various support instruments from early-stage ideas to full-scale commercialisation. This would involve simplifying access for innovators, easing the administrative processes, and improving cooperation between existing EU programmes.
The proposal also aims to deepen collaboration with the European Innovation Council (EIC) by channelling early-stage ventures into the broader EU innovation ecosystem. This would bring together research and market-ready innovation while improving outreach to underrepresented regions.
Two key goals remain at the centre of the EIT’s future direction: closing the innovation gap between EU regions and addressing Europe’s growing skills gap. The EIT plans to intensify its work in “widening countries” through initiatives like the EIT Regional Innovation Booster.
In line with the European Commission’s priorities, the EIT is also aligning its work with flagship strategies such as the Union of Skills and the Startup and Scaleup Strategy. These efforts are closely linked to the bigger goals of the Clean Industrial Deal, supporting both innovation and skills development in green and digital sectors.
A good track record in innovation
Since its creation in 2008, the EIT has become the EU’s largest innovation ecosystem. Through its KICs, the EIT has helped launch over 2,400 new products and services, supported thousands of startups, and delivered entrepreneurial education to over 1.3 million learners across Europe.
