European Defence Fund: Enhancing Opportunities for All (EOA) Project

Welcome to our platform, an initiative developed as part of the Enhancing Opportunities for All (EOA) project under the European Defence Fund (EDF). This website aims to support and strengthen the outreach and collaboration efforts of the National Focal Points (NFPs) network across EU Member States and Norway.

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What is the European Defence Fund

The European Defence Fund (EDF) is a significant initiative by the European Union aimed at fostering and supporting collaborative research and development projects in the defence sector among EU Member States. Established to enhance the EU's strategic autonomy and strengthen its defence capabilities, the EDF focuses on financing projects that can improve the competitiveness and innovation of the European defence industry. For the period of 2021-2027 the EU has allocated almost 8 billion euros to the EDF.

Key Objectives of the EDF:

  • 01 Promote Collaboration

    The EDF encourages Member States to collaborate on defence projects, reducing fragmentation and fostering a more integrated defence market.

  • 02 Boost Innovation

    By (co)funding cutting-edge research and development projects, the EDF aims to stimulate technological advancements in defence.

  • 03 Enhance Competitiveness

    Supporting a competitive and innovative industrial base in the EU, the EDF seeks to maintain the Union's technological edge.

  • 04 Support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

    The EDF includes measures to ensure that SMEs can participate and benefit from defence projects, enhancing their role in the defence supply chain.

Annual Work Programmes

Each year, the European Commission publishes annual Work Programmes that outline the specific funding priorities, eligibility criteria, and application procedures for that year. These Work Programmes are essential for informing potential applicants about the focus areas and available opportunities within the EDF.

To access the most recent annual Work Programmes and other relevant information, you can visit the official European Commission page for the European Defence Fund:

European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP)

The European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) are key initiatives by the European Union aimed at fostering innovation, collaboration, and technological advancements in the defence sector. EDIP is a Regulation proposed by the Commission to start implementing concrete measures identified in the EDIS. These initiatives are designed to enhance the EU's defence capabilities, promote strategic autonomy, and ensure a competitive and innovative defence industry.

European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS)

The European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) are key initiatives by the European Union aimed at fostering innovation, collaboration, and technological advancements in the defence sector. These initiatives are designed to enhance the EU's defence capabilities, promote strategic autonomy, and ensure a competitive and innovative defence industry.


Key Objectives of EDIS:

Stimulate Innovation:

EDIS aims to foster a culture of innovation by funding cutting-edge research and development projects that address critical defence challenges.

Enhance Technological Edge:

By supporting the development of advanced technologies, EDIS seeks to maintain and enhance the EU's technological superiority in defence.

Support SMEs and Startups:

EDIS includes specific measures to encourage the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, recognizing their role as key drivers of innovation.

Promote Dual-Use Technologies:

EDIS focuses on technologies that have both military and civilian applications, maximizing the broader impact of defence innovations.

European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP)

The EDIP is a Regulation proposed by the Commission designed to foster collaboration and partnerships among EU Member States, defence industries, research organizations, and other stakeholders. It aims to create a cohesive and integrated innovation ecosystem in the European defence sector.


Roles and Responsibilities of EDIP:

Facilitate Collaboration:

EDIP promotes joint research and development projects, bringing together diverse stakeholders to address common defence challenges.

Build Networks:

By creating networks of innovation actors, EDIP helps to share knowledge, best practices, and resources, enhancing the overall innovation capacity of the EU.

Support Technology Transfer:

EDIP encourages the transfer of technologies from research to practical applications, ensuring that innovative solutions are rapidly adopted and integrated into defence capabilities.

Promote Investment:

EDIP works to attract investments in defence innovation, both from public and private sources, to ensure sustained funding for groundbreaking projects.

By working together, EDIS and EDIP aim to create a dynamic and resilient innovation environment in the European defence sector. These initiatives are crucial for maintaining the EU's strategic autonomy, enhancing its defence capabilities, and ensuring a competitive and forward-looking defence industry.

Upcoming events

EDF Online Matchmaking #6 by EOA

The sixth EDF Online matchmaking event will take place virtually on April 10th, 2026, from 13:00 to 18:00 CET, and will be introduced by a webinar session on "Do's and Don'ts in EDF 2026" in the morning, from 11:00 to 12:00 CET. Registrations have now opened for participants to fill in or retrieve their profiles from the last editions. The participation to the webinar will be allowed by clicking on a dedicated link. After having registered, participants will be able to access a wide catalogue of potential partners and to and send/receive meetings requests to be attended on that day. This matchmaking event enables EDF potential applicants to reach out to partners and to prepare the EDF 2026 calls. This is also their chance to get meetings with NFPs and ask their questions regarding several aspects such as the scope of their project, funding rates, eligibility of partners, costs, etc. Register and participate here!

  • 10 apr 2026 - 10 apr 2026
  • France, Online
  • Registration
  • Online
NFP
EDF
EOA

EDF Info Day Croatia 2026

The EDF Info Day Croatia 2026 is organised by the Croatian Defence Industry Competitiveness Cluster in cooperation with the Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) and in coordination with the Croatian Ministry of Defence. The event will take place on 14 April 2026 in Zagreb and will focus on the European Defence Fund (EDF) 2026 Work Programme, including presentations of upcoming opportunities, experiences of Croatian companies participating in EDF projects, and a panel discussion. The programme will conclude with an on-site B2B matchmaking session, providing opportunities for networking and partnership building. Key Information Date: 14 April 2026 Location: Hrvatska udruga poslodavaca – Velika dvorana, Radnička cesta 37a, Zagreb, Croatia Further details are available here.  Don't forget to register! Registration is available via this online form.  

  • 14 apr 2026 - 14 apr 2026
  • Croatia, Zagreb
  • Registration
  • On-site
EDF

European Combat Vessel Industry Workshop

The European Combat Vessel (ECV) Industry Workshop will be organised by the seven EU Member States signatories of the ECV Letter of Intent (LOI), in cooperation with the European Defence Agency (EDA), following the publication of the ECV High-Level Requirements (HLR) and the Call for Papers addressed to European industry. The workshop will take place on 5–7 May 2026 at the Navantia Training Centre, San Fernando (Cádiz), Spain, and will be moderated by the SEA Europe. The event aims to gather input from European industry on the development of the European Combat Vessel (ECV) and to support stakeholder exchange contributing to the preparation of the ECV Business Case. The workshop will focus on: engaging the European defence industrial base in the development of the ECV Business Case based on the agreed High-Level Requirements reviewing the landscape and future evolution of the six ECV Work Packages over the next 5 and 10 years assessing progress in relevant Technology Building Blocks (TBBs) and their contribution to programme development, including through European funding instruments such as the European Defence Fund (EDF) exploring opportunities to establish dedicated Working Groups and potential industrial consortia supporting the implementation of the ECV programme roadmap Programme Overview The three-day workshop will include structured sessions dedicated to the six ECV Work Packages: 5 May 2026: Work Packages 1 and 2 6 May 2026: Work Packages 3 and 4 7 May 2026: Work Packages 5 and 6 Each day will include thematic working sessions moderated by SEA Europe consortium members, closing remarks by SEA Europe and EDA, and dedicated Member States-only government sessions. Key Information Date: 5–7 May 2026 Location: Navantia Training Centre, San Fernando (Cádiz), Spain Registration: Participants are requested to register by 22 April 2026 via the event registration form. Contact Should there be any questions or need for clarification do not hesitate to contact EDA PO Mr. Spyridon Mazarakis Spyridon.MAZARAKIS@eda.europa.eu, with copy to CAP@eda.europa.eu and Ms Paula.LASHERAS@eda.europa.eu.

  • 5 may 2026 - 7 may 2026
  • Spain, San Fernando, Cádiz
  • Registration
  • On-site
EDA

NFP Network (National Focal Points)

The NFP Network is an essential component of the EDF, comprising designated contact points in each EU Member State. These National Focal Points serve as the primary interface between the EDF and national stakeholders, including industry, research organizations, and government bodies.

Roles and Responsibilities of NFPs:

  • Information Dissemination

    NFPs provide up-to-date information about the EDF, including funding opportunities, application processes, and project requirements.

  • Support and Guidance

    They assist potential applicants in preparing proposals, navigating the application process, and ensuring compliance with EDF guidelines.

  • Networking and Partnering

    NFPs facilitate networking and collaboration among national and international stakeholders, helping to build consortia for joint projects.

  • Feedback and Reporting

    They collect feedback from national stakeholders on the implementation of the EDF and report to the European Commission, contributing to the continuous improvement of the fund.

By bridging the gap between the European Commission and national stakeholders, the NFP Network plays a crucial role in maximizing the impact and accessibility of the European Defence Fund.

NFP Contacts

EOA Project

The EOA project, backed by the EDF, involves 20 entities from 16 Member States and Norway, all of which are integral to or associated with the NFP network. These NFPs are tasked with assisting national stakeholders in applying for and managing EDF-funded projects.

More about EOA Project
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