This webinar discussed the 2025 outlook for RDI public funding in Spain, covering the Recovery Plan, the Industry Law, CDTI's Strategic Plan, and EU priorities. A summary of the main points of the webinar follows:
Spain's Recovery Plan execution is just at ~60% of total transfers in average, with a deadline for fund execution in August 2026.
The second phase of the Recovery Plan includes €27 billion in additional resources for strategic projects (PERTEs).
PERTEs cover key strategic sectors, such as microelectronics & semiconductors, renewable energy, industrial decarbonisation, agri-food, electric vehicles, and the circular economy.
Entities like SEPIDES and the recently created Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT, https://sett.gob.es) will manage funds.
CDTI's 2024-2027 strategic plan aims to increase the number of innovative companies and foster disruptive innovation.
CDTI will improve conditions for partially reimbursable aid (APRs) and introduce new instruments like Venture Builder.
The draft Law on Industry and Strategic Autonomy seeks to promote industrial development and attract strategic investments.
The EU's political guidelines for 2024-2029 focus on the green pact, investment, and a new competitiveness fund.
Mario Draghi's report highlights innovation, energy prices, and reducing dependencies as key areas for European competitiveness.
The "Competitiveness Compass" proposes measures to reduce administrative burdens and promote coordination between national and EU policies.
My takeaways:
August 2026 seems to be a firm deadline for the execution of the current EU Recovery Funds. In this context, the communicated execution status of (just) a 60%, although low, might be acceptable. However, if we examine the actual execution status of some of these PERTEs (e.g., PERTE Chip), the level of concern rises.
Loans will be a significant component of funding, managed through various funds and entities. However, we all know that they usually require to provide significant guarantees which becomes a barrier for most SMEs.
CDTI's strategic plan focuses on expanding the reach of innovation funding and improving financing conditions.
In some cases the actions of CDTI and SETT seem to be overlapping: let's hope this doesn't turn into additional complications for applicants.
The new Industry Law aims to create a more favourable environment for industrial development and strategic autonomy.
The EU is prioritising competitiveness, green transition, and reducing dependencies on third countries.
The Spanish Industry needs a more clear view on SETT actions as many companies are still not aware of SETT's direct investment possibilities.
DISCLAIMER: My views are my own: partial, subjective, biased and, unfortunately, not immune to mistakes nor misunderstandings on my side. In no way I pretend to be accurate in my interpretation, so please, check the original recording provided and feel free to disagree!
Comments