JRC actively supports the Commission across its political priorities and in response to challenges and crisis. After this year's State of the Union (SOTEU) speech, find out how JRC research contributed to many Commission's headline policies since SOTEU 2022.
Solidarity with Ukraine
“Europe’s solidarity with Ukraine will remain unshakeable.” von der Leyen, SOTEU 2022
JRC has a longstanding record of partnership with Ukraine, addressing key national priorities such as strengthening the Research & Innovation (R&I) ecosystem, fostering approximation with the EU acquis, supporting policy design and technology transfer, as well as promoting the green transition and advancing nuclear safety and security.
Energy security
“We have to ensure our security of supply.” von der Leyen, SOTEU 2022
JRC analysis contributed to the successful filling of gas storage in 2022 and with planning filling trajectories for the next years. JRC also developed an open, online tool that tells citizens how much energy solar panels can produce on their roofs, almost everywhere in the world. More than 4 million people already used the Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) in 2023.
Disaster management
“As disasters become more frequent and more intense, Europe will need more capacity.” von der Leyen, SOTEU 2022
JRC’s experts monitor droughts and fires for a fast response on the ground. JRC supports EU Member States with early warning, planning and preparing for disasters.
Resilient chips ecosystem
“Five years ago, Europe launched the Battery Alliance. And soon, two third of the batteries we need will be produced in Europe. Last year I announced the European Chips Act. And the first chips gigafactory will break ground in the coming months. We now need to replicate this success.” von der Leyen, SOTEU 2022
With the aim of increasing our capacity to design, manufacture and package chips, JRC and DG CNECT mapped EU companies involved in the chips value chain. JRC is assisting DG CNECT in the creation of a monitoring system to detect potential vulnerabilities in the chip supply chain and act rapidly in case of crisis.
Critical raw materials
“We need access to raw materials our industry needs. (…) This is why I am announcing a European Critical Raw Materials Act.” von der Leyen, SOTEU 2022
JRC helps assess ways to reduce dependencies on third countries and better manage strategic supply chains through: foresight analyses; detailed modelling of the strategic supply chains; mapping and monitoring tools; promotion of a more sustainable and circular critical raw materials economy, support to stress-tests; intelligence for the development of international partnerships; and development of early-warning systems.
European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency
“We have made ambitious proposals (…) to contain the gatekeeper power of major platforms, to underpin the democratic responsibility of those platforms, to foster innovation, to channel the power of artificial intelligence.” von der Leyen, SOTEU 2021
The European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency (ECAT) will contribute to a safer online environment. By giving transparency to the functioning of algorithms, ECAT will help citizens better understand the reasons behind what they see online and the products they are offered.
New European Bauhaus
“We need to give our systemic change its own distinct aesthetic – to match style with sustainability. This is why we will set up a New European Bauhaus – a co-creation space where architects, artists, students, engineers, designers work together to make that happen.” von der Leyen, SOTEU 2020
The New European Bauhaus (NEB) – led and coordinated by JRC – has made significant progress: it has its own Community of over 1.000 members active across Europe and beyond, and it is inspiring a number of bottom-up projects and initiatives that test and demonstrate NEB ideas and actions.