We have been living strange times where all what we used to consider acquired, granted, is no longer so. I don’t want to go back too long ago on the time axis when in the world there were identified two clear opposite political forces, which meant also different markets and lifestyles, but I am referring to a few decades ago when -for example- at school we had to read a book and then make an effort on summarising it or when, while on the go, we had to queue up in front of a phone box instead of making a call with a handy mobile phone. Closer to our current days, we started learning about sustainability and terms like “green washing” or ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria. As a consequence, we learned how to reduce our own environmental footprint, our water consumption, the CO2 emissions generated when travelling, etc..
The last concepts mentioned, in particular, are still very important and we still must (and should) comply with these principles but, as I am sure you had noticed too, recently there seem to have become less important. The ice of Greenland is melting? Good, new routes for freight transport could be designed and exploited. The climate change has generated an increase of an average 2.8’C in the last years? Well, there have been always hot summers and cold winters…
It seems that all we learnt and fought for to make our planet better and durable it no longer relevant.
Furthermore, in the past (not so long ago, though) when there were wars, the first immediate effect was shown by worldwide stock exchanges on roller coaster; not now. Oil price was rocketing up, not now. The price of Gold was increasing, and this still happens but at levels never seen before (up 5,600$/oz) whereas the price of Silver that used to be not that relevant now it is (it doubled its price in one year). But last Friday, after the nomination of the new FED chair, Gold lost 30% and Silver lost about 40% their value.
With that level of uncertainty, including the random announcements of US tariffs that could be suspended / reduced / increased in a matter of days, it is very difficult for companies to sensibly design growth and allocate investments for business expansion. Entrepreneurship has always implied a certain amount of risk. As a matter of fact, banks and insurance companies base their business on risks, their occurrence likelihood and impact severity, involved in their clients’ businesses.
Brexit was a risk itself: when it officially started at 11:00pm GMT of the 31st Jan 2020 (followed by an 11-month transition period, during which the UK remained in the single market and customs union, with final separation and new trading rules taking effect on 31 Dec 2020) those who proposed it and those who voted for it didn’t carry out a proper risk management and mitigation assessment. They didn’t think the UK could be facing reduction of overseas university (namely EU) students, fewer tourists, much less trade and much more problem with legislation compliance. Brexit meant also the end of collaboration of UK universities and companies (in particular SMEs) in EU-funded projects (e.g. Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and other funding schemes).
After a few miserable years, the UK realised its mistake and resumed talks with the EU. In these recent months the talks regard diplomacy and defence but since Jan 2024 the UK is back again to the Horizon Europe (HE) framework programme as and associated country (it will rejoin Erasmus+ in 2027).
This is wonderful news! Finally, UK businesses and universities can fully participate again in HE projects (very small limitations remain in place) and the UK is also part of the Copernicus programme.
Finally, Research and Innovation in Europe re-gained an important partner like the UK. This is very important, in particular during this period full of uncertainty. As a matter of fact, when a HE project is awarded, the funds will be received anyway and businesses can count on them.
The only problem is the still widespread scepticism on taking part in these projects. Many managers/entrepreneurs think it is a lottery to win, some say don’t have time for working on it, and some others believe they are not up to it.
This is where EPN CONSULTING can help: with an experienced team based in London we could help you navigate these waters, advise you on which HE scheme/call to address (in relation to the kind of innovation you have in mind), search for the right partners to build a robust consortium, design a suitable budget for your project, assist you in writing the project proposal in the right way: highlighting the strengths and reducing/cancelling the weaknesses to enjoy the opportunity of winning an EU funding that would mean a lot for your business growth.
Get in touch for a 30-min FREE consultation and you will appreciate that you are capable of competing for this great opportunity which would be a pity not to grab!.
Stefano Mainero
EPN Consulting and EPN Consulting Research and Innovation Founder & CEO
Article written by human beings without any use of AI. EPN Consulting Ltd. copyright 2026
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