In a compelling statement, Bernd Schäfer, CEO and Managing Director at EIT RawMaterials, emphasised the critical need for Europe to invest in research and innovation to secure its future. He supports the call from Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Christian Ehler and René Repasi for robust funding for the upcoming Horizon Europe programme (FP10), highlighting that in an era marked by intense geopolitical competition, investment in these areas is not merely a budget consideration but a strategic imperative.
Schäfer pointed out that the stakes are particularly high for critical raw materials, which are essential for Europe’s security, industrial competitiveness, clean energy transition, and technological leadership. He argued that secure, sustainable, and increasingly circular raw material value chains are vital for the continent’s future. Without innovation, Europe risks losing its resilience, and without resilience, it cannot achieve strategic autonomy.
The call to action is clear: Europe must not reduce its investment in research and innovation while simultaneously seeking to lead in advanced materials, artificial intelligence, clean technologies, and defence. The ambitions outlined in the Critical Raw Materials Act require substantial backing to become a reality. Schäfer stressed that research and innovation represent some of the highest-return investments Europe can make, and cutting funding now would jeopardise future growth, resilience, and competitiveness.
He praised the leadership of Ehler and Repasi and urged other MEPs and Heads of State and Government to support this vision. The message is that Europe’s strategic competitiveness is at stake, and the costs of inaction far outweigh the investments needed to build a sustainable future.
