Overview
EU Missions are large-scale initiatives that bring together researchers, policymakers, citizens, and stakeholders, connecting end-users to research and innovation in order to deliver step-change solutions towards some of our greatest challenges.
Launched in September 2021, Missions comprise clear, time-bound goals that drive focused efforts in five thematic areas:
- Climate change
- Cancer
- Ocean restoration
- Soil health
- Development of climate-neutral and smart cities
They are a coordinated effort by the Commission to pool the necessary resources to bring about systemic societal transformation, and require inclusivity, co-design, scaling up, deployment and societal involvement in generating solutions.
The EU Missions contribute to key EU policy priorities such as the:
- European Clean Industrial Deal,
- Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan,
- NextGenerationEU,
- the EU Industrial Strategy
- A Europe fit for the Digital Age, amongst others.
Citizens’ engagement is a key element in EU Missions, and broad participation from the public to make sure Missions can make a real difference is encouraged. Opportunities include online discussions, polls on social media such as the Conference on the Future of Europe, and citizen events and specialised conferences to discuss the focus of Missions.
Funding opportunities include Coordinating and Supporting Actions (CSA), Innovation Actions (IA) and Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), and are presented in the Horizon Europe EU Missions Work Programme. There are also a number of cross-cutting actions, as well as synergistic actions between the Missions and other Horizon Europe instruments.
UK entities are able to participate in EU Missions as an associated country to Horizon Europe; please contact the relevant National Contact Point listed below for further information.
Further information on Missions can be viewed on the European Commission website, including information days which will help you understand each EU Mission and its benefits in more detail.
Adaptation to Climate Change
The mission will support at least 150 European regions and communities to become climate resilient by 2030 and will foster the development of innovative solutions to adapt to climate change and encourage regions, cities and communities to lead the societal transformation. The Mission also contributes to delivering the European Green Deal.
As climate change affects various regions, economic sectors, and societal groups differently, the Mission will take appropriate approaches with these regions and local authorities to
- Understand climate risks
- Develop adaptation pathways
- Implement innovative solutions
This Mission is related to Cluster 5, Climate, Energy and Mobility. For further information on UK entities participating in the Climate Mission, contact the UK National Contact Point for Climate.
Find out more about the Adaptation to Climate Change Mission, as well as current funding opportunities on the EU website
Contact the NCP for Adaptation to Climate Change for further support
Cancer
Cancer affects everyone regardless of age, gender or social status and is a tremendous burden for patients, families, and societies at large. By 2040, the number of cancer diagnoses in Europe is projected to surpass 3.24 million, driven by factors such as an ageing population, unhealthy lifestyles, and unequal access to screening and care.
Working with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the EU Cancer Mission aims to improve the lives of more than 3 million people by 2030 through prevention, cure and solutions to enable cancer patients to live longer and better. The EU Cancer Mission brings together research, innovation, and public health policies with citizens and a broad range of stakeholders, to generate new evidence and inform policy actions across its 4 key objectives:
- Understanding cancer
- Prevention and early detection
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Quality of life for patients and their families
This Mission is related to Cluster 1 Health. For further information on UK entities participating in the Cancer Mission, contact the UK National Contact Point for Health.
Find out more about the Cancer Mission, as well as current funding opportunities on the EU website. For further support please contact the NCP for the Cancer Mission:
Ioanna Kostaki (Academia)
Jo Frost (Industry)
If you are from another sector (for example charity, government, the NHS) please contact both Ioanna and Jo.
Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030
The EU Cities Mission will bring together local authorities, citizens, businesses, investors, and national and regional bodies to deliver 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030, and ensure that these cities act as experimentation and innovation hubs to enable all European cities to follow suit by 2050.
The Cities Mission takes a cross-sectoral and demand-led approach, creating synergies between existing initiatives and basing its activities on the actual needs of cities as they transition to climate neutrality. The Mission is supporting 100 cities in the EU and 12 cities in countries associated to Horizon Europe; these cities serve as innovation hubs, testing cross-sectoral solutions and new governance models to accelerate change and inspire all European cities to follow by 2050.
This Mission is related to Cluster 5, Climate, Energy and Mobility. For further information on UK entities participating in the Cities Mission, contact the UK National Contact Point for Climate.
Find out more about the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, as well as current funding opportunities on the EU website
Contact the NCP for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities for further support
Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030
The Mission tackles one of the most pressing challenges of our time – restoring the health of the ocean, seas, and inland waters. It will help achieve the marine and freshwater targets of the European Green Deal, including restoring marine ecosystems and 25,000 km of free-flowing rivers.
Through research and innovation, public engagement, and targeted blue investments, this Mission takes a systemic approach to:
- Protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity
- Prevent and eliminate pollution of our ocean, seas and waters
- Make the sustainable blue economy carbon-neutral and circular
To ensure implementation across Europe, and beyond, the Mission operates through area-based “lighthouses” in major sea and river basins: Atlantic-Arctic, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic-North Sea, and Danube-Black Sea. These lighthouses are living labs for demonstrating, deploying and scaling up solutions.
The Mission engages and empowers a wide range of stakeholders, public and private organisations, national, regional and local actors, coastal, riparian and islands communities, businesses, and citizens to actively participate in shaping the future of Europe’s marine and freshwater ecosystem.
This Mission is related to Cluster 6 – Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment. For further information on UK entities participating in the Oceans and Waters Mission, contact the UK National Contact Point.
Find out more about the Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission, as well as current funding opportunities on EU Mission
Contact the NCP for Restore our Ocean and Waters for further support
A Soil Deal for Europe
100 living labs and lighthouses to lead the transition towards healthy soils by 2030. Life on Earth depends on healthy soils. Soil is the foundation of our food systems and provides clean water and habitats for biodiversity while contributing to climate resilience. The Mission leads the transition towards healthy soils. Soil is a fragile resource, however, it is estimated that more than 60% of EU soils are unhealthy.
To safeguard soils for future generations the Soil Mission funds an ambitious, multidisciplinary programme, putting in place a network of 100 living labs and lighthouses to co-create knowledge, test solutions and demonstrate their value in real-life conditions developing a harmonised framework for soil monitoring in Europe.
This Mission is related to Cluster 6 – Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment. For further information on UK entities participating in the Soil Mission, contact the UK National Contact Point for Food, Natural Resources, Environment and Agriculture.
Find out more about the A Soil Deal for Europe Mission, as well as current funding opportunities on the EU website
Contact the NCP for Soil Deal for Europe Mission for further support
Last updated: 29 October 2026