DIGITALEUROPE assessment of the proposal for a European Competitiveness Fund (ECF)

DIGITALEUROPE strongly supports a European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) that is closely linked to Horizon Europe (HEU). Europe does not have an innovation problem; we have a commercialisation and scalability problem; there is not time to waste for European build private sector digital and innovation capabilities.  

This document expands on DIGITALEUROPE’s existing position and amendments to the ECF and HEU proposals.1 We welcome several improvements introduced by the Council to the Commission proposals, including changes to prioritise critical technologies across all four ECF funding windows, to align rules across ECF and HEU, and to strengthen support for commercialisation and deployment. 

With negotiations ongoing, this document summarises positive developments, areas requiring further clarification and emerging concerns. The annex contains a comparison of key features of the two funding programmes in the respective Commission, Council and Parliament positions as of early May 2026. 

The ECF is part of the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The European Parliament is currently examining the ECF proposal. A committee vote is expected in September and a plenary vote in October 2026. The Council is working to finalise a partial General Approach by June 2026, with the work continuing under the Irish Presidency during the second half of the year. Interinstitutional negotiations between the Parliament, Council and Commission are expected to start towards the end of 2026.