EURO-3C contributes to UK-EU discussions on Horizon Europe connectivity opportunities
On 17 September 2026, the UK and European connectivity community came together in London for the “Unlocking Horizon Europe opportunities within Advanced Connectivity Technologies” event, organised by DCMS with Joe Shapiro, Tooba Naqvi, Jasper Pandza and Henry Ayresin, in collaboration with Digital Catapult and Innovate UK Business Connect.
The event focused on strengthening UK participation in the final 2027 Smart Networks & Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) calls under Horizon Europe. Businesses, researchers and academic institutions from across the connectivity and 6G ecosystem had the opportunity to exchange ideas, explore consortium opportunities and build new partnerships with UK and European organisations.
EURO-3C contributed to the discussions through Vodafone, represented by Isabelle Barclay, who leads the project’s policy and engagement task. She shared the perspective of a large corporation on joining and contributing effectively to Horizon Europe consortia.
This session, entitled “Building a Strong Consortia for Horizon Europe” was moderated by Dr Jane Watkins, Innovate Uk Business Connect Europe, and the panellists were Paul Patras, co-founder & CEO of NetAi, Dr Vassilis Seferidis, co-founder & CEO of Nephelie, Isabelle Barclay, Manager Global Funding Partnerships, Group Public Affairs at Vodafone and Yansha Deng, Full Professor, Department of Engineering at King’s College London.
Discussions highlighted the importance of distinctive capabilities, strong consortium fit and opportunities for longer-term collaboration. They also underlined the value of bringing together organisations of different sizes and backgrounds to develop the next generation of connectivity and digital innovation.
The event provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen links between the UK and European connectivity communities and explore new partnerships ahead of the 2027 SNS JU calls.
Event details: Unlocking Horizon Europe opportunities within Advanced Connectivity Technologies
