Industry hub

It can be a challenge to keep track of EU defence industry relevant information. Below we compile an assortment of quick access points to key resources that could be of use for your business.
 
Calls for proposals and tenders

• European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP): Calls for proposals published by the European Commission 
• EC/DG GROW Calls for proposals: defence-related calls contracted out by the EC
• EC/DG GROW Calls for tenders: defence-related calls contracted out by the EC
• TEDis the portal for all Member States’ (and EU institutions) contracts notices, searchable by country, contract type, contracting authority or CPV code (which is the EU official goods classification list: more info on  SIMAP). The business sector section also includes a Defence and Security webpage
• EDA Procurement: a specific page where EDA calls for tenders are published
• EDA Grants: information page on the EU Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR); Guide for applicants and Model Grant Agreement
   

Funding & financing tools

• European Funding Gateway: EDA platform proposing links to all EU-funded programs. IdentiFunding: a tool built by the EDA to help companies identify which EU-funded programme best suits their specific projects. Identifunding was launched in March 2019 as a part of the EDA Funding Gateway resource. Funding opportunities include grants, loans and equity. Since 2019, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has been included in the tool.
• European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF): EDA webpage which gives an overview of how the ESIF may be accessed by defence companies for co-funding investment projects. Co-funding opportunities can be found in national, regional and local research and innovation, ICT, and SME competitiveness projects; cross-border projects, transnational projects, projects supporting skills and competences.  
• Under the European Executive Agency for SMEs(EASME), the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs programme (COSME) provides financial support.  Access to EU COSME Programmeis a platform built by the EDA to inform on access to loans, equity and funding opportunities for defence SMEs and clusters. The EDA platform includes contact points of financial intermediaries and the European Enterprise Network (EEN) and supports online networking.
• European Network of Defence-related Regions (ENDR): a platform launched by the European Commission, created to support the coordination of regional authorities and clusters to share views on accessing EU funding. ENDR Questions page: weblink to submit questions related to the EDF.
• Financial Toolbox: a European Commission page describing how financial toolbox instruments can be used to address financing challenges for collaborative development and procurement in the context of the European Defence Fund (EDF).
   

EU Defence Programmes FAQs

• European Defence Fund: Questions and Answers: A factsheet on the European Defence Fund (EDF) compiled by the European Commission.
• ENDR portal about theEDF: The European Network of Defence-related Regions (ENDR) has a dedicated webpage with information on the European Defence Fund (EDF) initiative. 
• FAQ page for applicants to the 2019 EDIDP calls for proposals: A compilation of answers from the European Commission on the European Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP).
• Questions and Answers: The Future of European Defence: The Commission’s view of the future of European defence. 
   

SME-specific resources

• Defence-related SMEs: European Commission portal dedicated to SMEs in the defence sector.
• Opportunities for SMEs in the European Defence Fund: A brochure by the European Commission, available in 6 languages.
• SME corner: an EDA web page which gathers concise advice for defence related SMEs to access the defence market.
• SME Handbook: an EDA publication giving a detailed bird-eye perspective of access to defence procurement, access to defence supply chains, access to finance and support to innovation.
• Enterprise Europe Network: A which is a part of the Executive Agency for SMEs. 
   

Sharing your expertise at EU level

• EDA Expert groups: groups composed of national experts are formed around specific cooperation topics:  Integrated Development Teams, Project Teams and Capability and Technology groups. Industry Research & Technology representatives are included in Capability Technology (CapTech) groups. 
• EDIDP expert database: Apply here for the call for expression of interest to assist the European Commission with tasks in connection with the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (2019-2020)
• Work as an expert: The general European Commission website for registration to provide specific professional expertise.
   

EU defence industry directory

• Register of Certified Defence-related Enterprises (CERTIDER): A list of all defence companies certified under the Intra-EU Transfers Directive 2009/43/EC compiled by the European Commission (see also our webpage on defence market).
• Industry research & technology organisation directory: The EDA keeps a directory of regional industrial portals & clusters, defence industry and National Defence Industry Associations (NDIAs). 
   

NATO defence investment and agencies

• NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA): a NATO agency which supports procurement of goods and services. 
• NATO Information and Communication Agency (NCIA): a NATO agency which acquires and deploys NATO’s communications systems. 
• Defence Investment Division: A Division within NATO which supports the development of NATO capabilities and oversees investment into defence capabilities. 
   

Defence data

• Defence Data Portal: The EDA publishes defence data from EU Member States on defence spending and force size since 2005.
• NATO Secretary General’s Annual Report: An annual update published by NATO, including defence expenditure data 
• Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries: A NATO publication on defence expenditure, launched in parallel with the Secretary General’s Annual Report.

Food for thought

• EUISS yearbook of European Security 2019: This annual publication gives an overview also of the key defence relevant developments in the context of the EU.
• EPSC (European Political Strategic Center): the EC’s in-house think tank publishes regular reports and papers, including the recent Rethinking Strategic Autonomy in the Digital Age and Joining Forces: the way towards the European Defence Union