Since its creation in 2021, the ETIPs FORUM has served as a collaborative platform bringing together the European Technology and Innovation Platforms (ETIPs) and relevant affiliated initiatives to strengthen cooperation across Europe’s clean-energy research and innovation community. As part of the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan ecosystem, the FORUM contributes to accelerating the development, scale-up and market uptake of clean, resilient and competitive energy technologies, while strengthening coordination between European and national R&I priorities. It provides a space for ETIPs to exchange knowledge, reduce duplication, identify common challenges and develop shared positions and actions across technology areas.
As the SET Plan governance has evolved, the FORUM has strengthened its links with the SET Plan Implementation Working Groups (IWGs), EERA Joint Programmes and other elements of the SET Plan community. This collaboration is particularly important for addressing cross-cutting challenges spanning multiple technologies and ensuring that research and industry perspectives are reflected across the SET Plan. The FORUM has made a strong contribution to the five SET Plan cross-cutting Task Forces, covering circularity and materials substitution, R&I for societal needs, digitalisation, skills, and access to market. Through the involvement of ETIP experts, the FORUM has helped bring cross-sectoral perspectives into this work and contributed to actionable recommendations delivered in early 2026.
The FORUM also provides a platform for engagement with the wider energy innovation and investment community. Through its continued presence at major events, including Enlit Europe and the annual SET Plan Conference, it facilitates exchanges between ETIPs, industry, policymakers, research organisations, investors and other stakeholders on the role of R&I in strengthening Europe’s energy system and industrial competitiveness.
In 2026, closer collaboration across the ETIPs is increasingly important as the SET Plan enters a new phase of implementation. The FORUM provides a platform for aligning perspectives, sharing information and coordinating input across technology areas, particularly on the development of the new Common Implementation and Investment Plans (CIIPs). These plans will translate the strategic priorities of the SET Plan into concrete implementation and investment priorities, making coordination between ETIPs, IWGs and EERA Joint Programmes essential.
A key milestone in 2026 is the 20th SET Plan Conference in Cork, where the ETIPs FORUM is co-organising, together with the European Commission and EERA, a side event focused on facilitating dialogue with investors and accelerating the mobilisation of finance for strategic clean-energy technologies.
The ETIPs FORUM is jointly facilitated by Zabala Innovation and the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), supporting cooperation across the ETIPs and affiliated initiatives and helping the community develop and communicate common perspectives on European energy R&I and innovation policy.
