Workshop: Space projects under the Investment Plan - financing possibilities

Space is more than a technological issue. It is not only a driver to innovation and scientific progress which enables systems and services that have become essential for our well-being and security.

Space is in the pocket of the European citizens when they use their mobile phones, do financial transactions, take an airplane, watch the weather forecast or look for the nearest restaurant in their cars. Based upon the panoply of services and applications it enables, space has also a high growth potential not only within the sector in areas such as telecommunications, navigation and Earth observation, but also well beyond it.

The global economic and financial crisis seriously affected the levels of investment in Europe. Collective and coordinated efforts at the European level are needed to reverse this downward trend and put the EU on the path of economic recovery. The €315 billion European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) is an important tool to speed up the economic growth and job creation in Europe. It has huge potential to contribute to the modernisation of the European industry but its success depends on the industrial participation.