Alignment with Global Europe

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The initiative K4P alliances has been designed in terms of the recently revised International Partnerships funding program launched by the European Commission- DG INTPA (as in https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/global-europe-programming_en), among other potential funding sources and a set of private foundations.

In particular, it takes into consideration the revised work plan for DG INTPA, focusing on “Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe, as follows:

    “In line with the EU global approach to research and innovation , this work programme will tap into the opportunities offered by international cooperation in order to maximise the impact of its actions. It includes dedicated actions to support and strengthen cooperation through international initiatives in areas such as renewable energies, advanced materials and future internet, cybersecurity, global health, environmental observations, ocean- coastal and arctic research, disaster management, and fair, healthy and environment-friendly food systems. It also builds on the ambitious and comprehensive ‘Africa Initiative’ [...].

    The openness of the work programme to international cooperation will be balanced with the need to safeguard EU interests in strategic areas, in particular to promote the EU’s open strategic autonomy and its technological leadership and competitiveness. In a limited number of cases for actions related to Union strategic assets, interests, autonomy or security, actions will be limited to cooperation between legal entities established in Member States only, Member States and Associated Countries, and/or certain third countries. For duly justified and exceptional reasons participation can also be limited to legal entities established in the Union or in Associated Countries that are not directly or indirectly controlled by non-associated third countries or by legal entities of non-associated third countries, or make the participation of the controlled entities subject to conditions set out in the work programme.”

The process as considered the identification and selection of potential local actors in Africa and Latin America since April 2022, with the capacity and leadership able to creating and/or growing towards a “Collaborative Laboratory’”, oriented towards job creation and social/economic development in terms of local contexts. In addition, the program will be organized and implemented in terms of “Regional Chapters”, following a stepwise approach and under the terms of the revised work plan for DG INTPA.

The goal is raise about 100 million euros of EC investment for the first phase, 2023-2027 (5 years), to be continued with EC investment at least until 2035.

The collaborative laboratories to be promoted under the K4P Alliances are expected to emphasize the following actions:

  • A network of Data Centers for Earth Observation and related scientific, technological and innovation activities for blue and green growth, in fully compliance with European cybersecurity standards and the 5G Toolbox, aiming to become part of local cybersecurity preparedness facilities and potential Global Europe regional hubs of cybersecurity;
  • An effective international network and international connectivity pathway (including the EurAfrica Gateway), through the engagement of the Atlantic International Research Centre, AIR center, and its main role as coordinator of the European funded CSA on “All Atlantic” (with EC´s Horizon Europe funding for 2023-2027). The new laboratories will become fully integrated in the AIR centre network;
  • Fostering a Digital connectivity infrastructure, including international connectivity, the Regional Fiber backbones and Satellite connectivity, together with Secure EllaLink, as an optical submarine cable linking the European and South American continents, with very low latency and a newly direct data transfer routes between Europe and South America, as well as EurAfrica Gateway Cable;

Potential support from the European Commission considers actions under the following Directorates: