civil society calls for EU research agenda to shift focus from private benefits to global public goods

ENAAT contributed to a “civil society perspective on the next EU research Framwork Programme (FP9)” calling for the next EU Research policy to shift its focus from jobs, growth and competitiveness, including subsidies for the arms industry, to delivering global public goods for its citizens.

“The EU is a peace project. There can be no place for military research. The EU should invest in research projects which contribute to the peaceful prevention and resolution of conflicts rather than subsidise research for arms production.” warns Laëtitia Sédou, European Programme Officer at the European Network Against Arms Trade.

The European Commission is in the process of drafting the next EU Research Framework Programme to run from 2021 to 2027 (the follow-up of the so-called Horizon2020 Programme). The draft proposal is expected by spring 2018.

The scenarios presented so far have been criticised by MEPs, civil society for a lack of vision and for failing on climate and increasing funds for defence instead of investing in society.

Civil society groups from a wide range of fields have come together for the first time to express their views and suggest concrete proposals on the next EU research framework.

Read the PRESS RELEASE_june2017_FP9&PPP

more news

Civil society to MEPs: “Move the Money from War to Peace!”

21 November 2025

OPEN LETTER to Euro-parliamentarians, 20/11/2025 (download .pdf format) Over 800 organisations call Euro-parliamentarians to move the money from war to peace Dear Member of the European Parliament, Next week, you will be called upon to vote on a crucial issue, the 2026 budget, and other important votes and negotiations are coming up or already underway, including the next long-term EU budget (MFF 2028-2034) and a series of “omnibus packages”, i.e. deregulation processes. All these proposals contain massive increases in military spending and gifts to the arms industry. We strongly ask you to oppose these dangerous moves and redirect

Read more >

NBB 2025-6: Roadmap to war under national leadership

21 October 2025

The latest issue of the ENAAT newsletter ‘News from the EU Bubble’ is now Available here Summary: EU funding for the arms industry MEPs & Council reach deal on EDIP: EU Military Sales mechanism to boost arms exports? SAFE loans: negotiations open with UK and Canada Next EU-long term budget: military focus a given, divergences on degree and scope EIB: more money and faster decision-making on military projects EU-Israel: no sanctions and EU draft strategy, Elbit out! campaign other aspects of European militarisation Defence readiness roadmap: Europe ready for war by 2030? Governments regain control over “Europe of defence”

Read more >