BOLEO GLOBAL joins the Innovation Fund IF26 Stakeholder Consultation
The European Commission is simplifying the programme, strengthening project support mechanisms and reinforcing Spain’s position as one of the Innovation Fund’s leading participating countries.
On 19 June, the European Commission and CINEA held the Innovation Fund IF26 Stakeholder Consultation in Brussels, bringing together stakeholders to discuss the next round of Innovation Fund calls, one of the EU’s flagship funding instruments for innovative decarbonisation projects.
The event took place against the backdrop of the EU’s renewed industrial strategy, aimed at accelerating the clean transition while strengthening the competitiveness of strategic industries. Initiatives such as the Clean Industrial Deal and the future European Industrial Decarbonisation Bank reflect the European Union’s commitment to scaling up clean technologies and reducing emissions from energy-intensive sectors.
Beyond updates to the programme itself, the discussions highlighted several priorities that are expected to shape the IF26 calls, as well as the challenges that continue to affect the delivery of innovative projects.
Easier access for small and medium-sized enterprises
One of the most significant announcements was the introduction of a dedicated call for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The new call is designed to make the programme more accessible through simplified application procedures, reporting requirements better suited to smaller organisations, a simplified methodology for calculating avoided emissions, and two submission deadlines to provide applicants with greater flexibility.
The Commission acknowledged that many innovative SMEs struggle to compete in calls primarily designed for large-scale industrial projects. These changes aim to broaden participation and improve access to European funding for smaller businesses.
Bringing projects to market remains the main challenge
A recurring message throughout the consultation was that, while funding remains essential, it is not enough on its own to ensure a project’s success.
Speakers highlighted the difficulties many projects continue to face in reaching financial close, absorbing rising capital and operational costs, and completing the regulatory processes required before implementation.
Other barriers are also becoming increasingly important, including dependence on external infrastructure, constraints within supply chains and, above all, securing reliable demand for the technologies being developed. This issue featured prominently in discussions, particularly in relation to renewable hydrogen projects.
To address these challenges, the European Commission continues to strengthen complementary support instruments. These include the Project Development Assistance (PDA) programme, which helps improve the technical, financial and commercial maturity of projects, and the Grants as a Service initiative, designed to facilitate the combination of European and national funding.
The continuation of the Hydrogen Auctions and the Industrial Heat Auction was also confirmed, alongside the launch of a dedicated maritime call. Together, these measures reflect an increasing focus on project implementation and market deployment.
Spain strengthens its position within the Innovation Fund
Spain once again featured prominently during the consultation. Together with France, it currently leads both in the number of funded projects and in the volume of proposals progressing through the Innovation Fund pipeline.
Spain’s strong performance is particularly evident in renewable hydrogen, where the country has established itself as one of the leading participants across successive Innovation Fund calls.
A programme evolving towards implementation
The IF26 consultation confirmed the European Commission’s determination to adapt the Innovation Fund in response to the lessons learned during its first years of operation. Administrative simplification, stronger support for SMEs and enhanced project development assistance are emerging as some of the programme’s main priorities.
Beyond the volume of funding available, discussions in Brussels pointed to a broader conclusion: Europe’s industrial transition will increasingly depend on its ability to turn innovative ideas into bankable, deployable projects capable of delivering tangible market impact.