EIC’s €20 million Ukraine tech package and the EU’s broader support to Ukrainian innovators

In 2022 the European Innovation Council and the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency launched a targeted package to help preserve and scale Ukrainian deep tech capacity disrupted by the Russian war. The flagship measure is a €20 million competitive action intended to create a pan-European network of actors that will distribute financial aid and services to Ukrainian start-ups and SMEs. That action sits alongside awareness drives, programmes to keep researchers and entrepreneurs working, cluster and supply chain support and other measures delivered through the Single Market Programme.

What the €20 million action is meant to deliver

The EIC-designed initiative was introduced as an amendment to the EIC 2022 work programme. The stated objectives are support for start-ups located in Ukraine or displaced from Ukraine, quick direct financial support to a large number of firms and complementary non-financial services to improve market access and networking. The Commission framed the measure as a way to preserve innovative capacity that could be important for post-war reconstruction and longer term integration into European value chains.

What the record shows about applications and selection

Public reporting on the call and its processing contains conflicting figures in Commission and EIC material. Different pages and press statements published by the Commission and EIC in 2022 and 2023 report different counts of proposals submitted for the €20 million action and describe stages such as evaluation and selection with varying timelines. The inconsistency is notable because transparency about numbers and timing matters for assessing delivery speed and reach.

The mismatch in counts could reflect differences between total submissions, eligibility-screened proposals, consortium restructurings, or simple reporting errors. For observers and beneficiaries the lack of a single clear record is a weakness in public communication.

Ukrainian participation in other EIC instruments

Beyond the specific €20 million call, Ukrainian entities continued to pursue standard EIC funding routes in 2021 and 2022. That activity covered the Accelerator, the Pathfinder and the Hop-on facility. The information released by the agency lists application volumes and selection outcomes for these instruments.

Efforts to raise awareness and build reach

The EIC and EISMEA combined funding measures with outreach to help Ukrainian innovators find and use EU instruments. Outreach included workshops, appointment of an on-the-ground ambassador, and linking with EU SME support networks. These activities aim to reduce information asymmetries but do not remove practical barriers such as relocation, paperwork and eligibility checks.

Single Market Programme and other EISMEA-led measures

EISMEA used instruments beyond the EIC to support Ukrainian firms and entrepreneurs. Key channels were the Enterprise Europe Network, the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs and the Intelligent Cities Challenge. Each targeted different needs from supply chain continuity to mobility for entrepreneurs and cluster integration.

Wider research and mobility measures deployed by the EU

In parallel to SME-focused actions, the EU opened research and mobility channels. Following Ukraine’s formal association to Horizon Europe and Euratom research programmes, Ukrainian entities gained access on equal terms. The Commission also waived Ukraine’s financial contribution for 2021 and 2022 with an estimate of around €20 million. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions launched a dedicated €25 million MSCA4Ukraine scheme to host displaced researchers.

Assessment, open questions and risks

The package of measures demonstrates a multi-channel EU response that combines small rapid grants, ecosystem services and researcher mobility. That diversity is sensible because needs are varied. However several structural questions remain about implementation, measurable impact and whether the design matches on-the-ground constraints Ukrainian innovators face during a war.

What to watch next

Observers and stakeholders should look for four things. First, a clear public statement reconciling the differing submission and selection figures. Second, publication of the consortium selected to run the action and evidence of its capacity to reach Ukrainian beneficiaries. Third, an impact dashboard or follow-up reporting on how many start-ups received grants, where they are located and what services were delivered. Fourth, evidence of coordination with other EU measures such as the EEN, MSCA4Ukraine and Horizon association to maximise utility and minimise duplication.

The EU has marshalled a range of instruments to support Ukrainian innovation capacity. That is important and welcome. But a modest pot of money, complex delivery mechanisms and an unstable operating environment means results should be tracked carefully and claims of impact should be scrutinised against hard outcomes rather than intent.