CONSEJERIA DE DESARROLLO ECONÓMICO, SOSTENIBILIDAD Y MEDIO AMBIENTE. EUSKO JAURLARITZA-GOBIERNO VASCO

Their core work

The Basque Government's Department of Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment is a regional public authority that co-funds transnational research and innovation programmes, particularly ERA-NET schemes in advanced manufacturing and materials. Rather than performing research directly, they channel regional funding into European collaborative calls, enabling Basque SMEs and research centres to access cross-border R&D partnerships. Their participation in programmes like MANUNET and M-ERA.NET positions them as a funding bridge between Basque industry and European research networks. They also support researcher mobility and doctoral training through cofunding schemes.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 participation (2016-2018), the Basque Government supported a broad portfolio including researcher training (DIRS), materials research (M-ERA.NET 2), and advanced manufacturing for SMEs (MANUNET III). By the recent period (2021 onwards), their focus sharpened toward green industrial transition — M-ERA.NET3 explicitly targets battery technologies, circular economy, and Green Deal alignment. The shift reflects a move from general R&D support to strategically directed funding aligned with EU climate and sustainability priorities.

Moving firmly toward green industrial transition — expect future involvement in battery value chains, circular economy, and sustainable manufacturing programmes.

How they like to work

The Basque Government never coordinates projects — they participate as a funding partner or third party, which is typical for regional authorities in ERA-NET schemes. Their 133 unique partners across 40 countries is remarkably broad for just 5 projects, but this reflects the nature of ERA-NET consortia where dozens of national and regional funding agencies join together. Working with them means accessing Basque Country's regional funding for transnational R&D calls, not a direct technical collaboration.

Connected to 133 partners across 40 countries, though this reflects participation in large ERA-NET funding networks rather than deep bilateral relationships. Their network spans virtually all EU member states plus associated countries, giving them broad geographic reach through multilateral funding programmes.

What sets them apart

As a regional government funding body, they are not a research performer but a funding enabler — they bring Basque Country co-financing to European transnational calls. This makes them valuable for consortium builders who need a regional funding commitment behind ERA-NET or similar cofunded programmes. Their consistent presence in manufacturing-focused ERA-NETs signals strong institutional commitment to this sector, and their recent Green Deal alignment makes them a relevant partner for sustainability-oriented industrial R&D.

Highlights from their portfolio

• M-ERA.NET3
  Their most recent and strategically significant project, extending materials research into battery technologies and circular economy under the Green Deal umbrella (2021-2026).
• MANUNET III
  Directly targets SME competitiveness in advanced manufacturing — the clearest link between their funding role and Basque industrial policy.
• DIRS
  Their only non-manufacturing project, supporting the Deusto International Research School for doctoral training — shows breadth beyond industrial funding.