Green Deal Projects Support Office final event: highlighting concrete pathways to accelerate Europe’s green transition

The Horizon 2020 Green Deal Projects Support Office (GD-SO) successfully concluded its flagship final event on 28 April 2026 in Brussels and online, bringing together policymakers, researchers, industry, local authorities and civil society. The event was a great opportunity to showcase results from 73 projects funded under the EUR 1 billion Horizon 2020 Green Deal Call.

With over 300 participants, the event demonstrated how EU-funded research and innovation delivers practical, scalable solutions that support the implementation of the European Green Deal across key areas, including clean energy, climate resilience, biodiversity, sustainable food systems, circular economy, nature-based solutions and citizen engagement.

The event presented results from the five thematic working groups: Clean Energy; Climate Change & Biodiversity; Food & Health; Knowledge & Citizens; and Urban Environment & Mobility. Together, these insights highlighted cross-project synergies, whilst sharing lessons learned and policy-relevant recommendations to support uptake at local, regional and European level.

Three breakout sessions complemented the plenary discussions, addressing the One Health approach, competitive and low-pollution transitions, and citizen and societal engagement and transformation. These focus groups highlighted how integrated, participatory, and innovation-driven approaches can accelerate the implementation of the European Green Deal.

Across the portfolio, projects have delivered European firsts, including circular solutions, advanced monitoring tools, as well as innovative approaches. Key achievements include a 100 MW renewable hydrogen electrolyser, CO₂ capture rates of up to 99%, and renewable energy pilots generating over 110 MWh. Together, these results have expanded clean energy access, created local jobs, and shown how research can deliver real-world impact.

Astrid Ladefoged, Head of Unit for Green Transitions at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) stressed the strategic importance of collaboration across projects and sectors. She highlighted that the results presented at this final event demonstrate the added value of European scientific cooperation, bringing together knowledge, technologies and people across disciplines and borders. She noted that EU Green Deal Horizon projects are turning excellent science into tangible solutions that support Europe's green transition and improve citizens' lives. Finally, she emphasised that the key priority is now to scale these solutions and embed them into policy and investment frameworks.

The event underscored the importance of EU funding frameworks in translating research and innovation results into implementation, supported by coordinated governance, policy alignment, and strong partnerships.

Ivona Malbasic, Coordinator of the Green Deal Projects Support Office highlighted that the Green Deal Projects Support Office has helped bridge the gap between research and policy by strengthening coherence across projects and distilling evidence that supports decision-making at European, national and local level. She added that by fostering alignment, shared learning and visibility of results, the GD-SO has contributed to creating the conditions needed to scale proven solutions and embed them into policies that advance Europe's green transition."

Watch the recording of the plenary session

Background

The Green Deal Projects Support Office (GD-SO) was established in 2021 to maximise the impact of the Green Deal Call projects by facilitating collaboration, promoting knowledge exchange, and showcasing best practices across the portfolio. Working through five thematic groups (Climate Change & Biodiversity, Clean Energy, Urban Environment & Mobility, Food & Health, and Knowledge Citizens), the GD-SO helps strengthen the visibility, coherence and uptake of project results across Europe and beyond.

As the programme concludes in November 2026, its outcomes provide a strong foundation for future EU research and innovation efforts supporting a climate-neutral, resilient and inclusive Europe.

More information

Green Deal Projects Support Office

Accelerating the Green Transition event