STEP (Strategic Technologies for Europe) is the platform created by the EU to support European industry and stimulate investment in critical technologies in Europe. In particular, STEP aggregates and channels funding through 11 EU programmes towards three investment areas:
• Digital technologies and deep-tech innovation
• Clean and resource-efficient technologies
• Biotechnologies
STEP also supports projects to build the skills needed to develop such critical technologies and has introduced a STEP Seal, a European label for high-quality projects that ensures visibility and facilitates access to other potential sources of finance.
The specific regulatory framework is set out in Regulation (EU) 2024/795 of 29 February 2024, which established STEP.
The Sicilian Region has seized the new opportunities offered by the STEP Regulation by reprogramming the PR FESR Sicilia 2021/2027 (definitively adopted by the European Commission with Decision C(2024)7098 of 8 October 2024), introducing Priority 8, entitled “Development and manufacturing of critical technologies and strengthening of regional value chains in digital, deep-tech and biotechnology (STEP Specific Objective referred to in Article 3(1)(a)(vi) of the ERDF and Cohesion Fund Regulation)”, and Priority 9, entitled “Clean and efficient technologies to contribute to the STEP objectives.”
