Introduzione

The Sovereignty Seal (STEP Seal) is the EU recognition awarded to high-quality projects that contribute to the objectives of the STEP initiative. This seal gives projects visibility and supports them in attracting financial resources from other EU programmes through combined or cumulated funding. Starting in 2024, the STEP Seal will be awarded to projects submitted under the directly managed programs Digital Europe, European Defence Fund, EU4Health, Horizon Europe, and Innovation Fund. The Seal is awarded to projects that meet minimum quality requirements, including eligibility, exclusion, and award criteria. Projects must contribute to the achievement of STEP objectives, such as:

• developing or producing critical technologies in the Union and strengthening their supply chains or

addressing skills and workforce shortages in priority sectors (digital and deep tech, clean and zero-emission technologies, biotech).

There is no additional procedure to apply for the STEP Seal. It can be obtained by participating in calls for proposals under directly managed programmes that contribute to STEP. Selected and awarded projects are visible on the European Commission's STEP portal (Dashboard and STEP Seal map), and the seal will remain valid for the entire duration of the project, unless the project moves outside the Union or fails to start within five years of being awarded. The STEP Seal also represents a significant advantage for the Managing Authorities of Cohesion Policy programmes, as it simplifies the selection procedures for interventions, in compliance with the specific rules of the funds (ERDF and ESF+) and the selection criteria identified within the programmes.