May 14

May 14 NextGenerationEU Funded Projects: A Comprehensive Overview of Key Initiatives Across Europe

Introduction

NextGenerationEU (NGEU) has catalyzed transformative investments across the European Union, funding projects that align with its six pillars: green transition, digital transformation, social cohesion, health resilience, education, and innovation.

Below is FAF’s detailed analysis of specific initiatives funded under this program, organized by country and thematic focus.

Croatia: Pioneering Sustainable Mobility and Renewable Energy

Solar-Powered Cable Ferry in Križnica

One of Croatia’s flagship NGEU projects is the solar-powered cable ferry in the village of Križnica, part of the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve.

This €906,438 initiative replaced a 50-year-old diesel-powered ferry with a solar-electric vessel, enhancing rural connectivity while reducing carbon emissions.

The ferry supports tourism and local agriculture by enabling efficient transport of vehicles and machinery across the River Drava.

Its photovoltaic system and 50 kWh LiFePO4 batteries allow eight hours of operation at five knots without recharging during summer, demonstrating Croatia’s commitment to renewable energy infrastructure.

North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley and Geothermal Exploration

Croatia is also advancing its green transition through the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley, a tripartite project with Slovenia and Italy aiming to produce 5,000 tons of renewable hydrogen annually by 2025.

Additionally, the city of Bjelovar is exploring geothermal energy to achieve full community heating, leveraging untapped geothermal resources in northern Croatia.

These projects are complemented by Southeast Europe’s most extensive battery storage system in Šibenik, funded through NGEU to stabilize renewable energy grids.

Greece: Modernizing Healthcare and Waste Management

NHS Hospital Renovation and Infrastructure Upgrade

Greece allocated €1.4 billion under NGEU to renovate 80 hospitals across seven health districts.

The project includes structural upgrades (e.g., hydraulic systems, fire safety networks) and energy efficiency improvements, such as thermal insulation and HVAC modernization.

These upgrades expanded healthcare access for 47 million residents by May 2025, aligning with NGEU’s health resilience objectives.

Circular Economy Initiatives in Waste Management

Through its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Greece 2.0), Greece is deploying NGEU funds to construct advanced waste treatment facilities. Notable projects include:

A biomethane production plant in Fermo, converting organic waste into renewable gas.

A hazardous waste treatment facility in Naples, addressing long-standing environmental challenges in the region.

Modernized mechanical-biological treatment plants in Giugliano and Caivano, aiming to reduce landfill dependency by 40% by 2026.

Italy: Driving Innovation and Research

INEST and Agritech Ecosystems

Italy’s iNEST Innovation Ecosystem connects public and private entities in northeastern regions to develop digital and ecological transition technologies.

With €110 million in funding, it focuses on sustainable agriculture and smart manufacturing.

Similarly, the Agritech National Research Center leverages NGEU funds to advance precision farming and climate-resilient crop varieties, targeting a 15% increase in agricultural productivity by 2027.

High-Performance Computing and Superconductivity Research

The National Research Centre in High-Performance Computing (ICSC), funded with €59.9 million, aims to position Italy as a leader in quantum computing and big data analytics.

Concurrently, the IRIS project (€22.35 million) is developing high-temperature superconducting cables for energy transmission and next-generation particle accelerators, with applications in civil infrastructure and scientific research.

Belgium: Revolutionizing Urban Mobility

Flanders’ Bicycle Highway Network

Flanders invested €450 million under NGEU to construct and upgrade 1,200 km of bicycle highways, including critical links like the F214 route between Vilvoorde and Brucargo.

These pathways, equipped with dedicated bridges and tunnels, have increased cycling trips by 22% since 2021, supporting the EU’s green mobility targets.

Ireland: Bridging the Digital Divide

School Broadband and Digital Equity Program

Ireland’s €63.5 million NGEU initiative ensures high-speed broadband for all primary schools by 2023, benefiting 3,200 institutions.

A complementary €50 million fund provides devices and training to students in disadvantaged communities, targeting a 30% reduction in educational inequality by 2025.

France: REACT-EU’s Multisectoral Impact

Diversified Projects Under REACT-EU

France’s REACT-EU program, a subset of NGEU, has funded 3,592 projects as of July 2024, prioritizing ecological and digital transitions. Key achievements include:

Energy Efficiency Retrofits

36% of ERDF funds supported building insulation upgrades, reducing primary energy consumption by 1.2 TWh annually.

Digital Infrastructure

70% of ESF funding expanded rural broadband access, connecting 450,000 households in underserved regions.

SME Support

High co-financing rates (up to 100%) enabled 12,000 small businesses to adopt automation technologies, boosting productivity by 18% on average.

Cross-Border Initiatives and Pan-European Collaboration

Horizon Europe and InvestEU Synergies

NGEU synergizes with Horizon Europe to fund transnational research, such as the Magnet4Europe initiative, which aims to develop MRI technologies with 50% lower energy consumption.

InvestEU has mobilized €5.6 billion for green hydrogen projects across six member states, including Croatia’s zero-emission passenger ship program.

Conclusion: A Blueprint for Europe’s Future

NextGenerationEU has already demonstrated its transformative potential through projects that merge innovation with sustainability.

From Croatia’s solar ferries to Italy’s quantum computing hubs, these initiatives exemplify the EU’s dual focus on recovery and long-term resilience.

The program is projected to create 2.1 million jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12% by 2026, cementing Europe’s position as a global leader in green and digital transitions.

As Ursula von der Leyen noted, these investments are not merely repairing pandemic damage but “building a Europe that thrives for generations.”

Antonio Bhardwaj

Dr. Antonio Bhardwaj, aka Amir, is a distinguished polymath whose intellectual pursuits span business, politics, theology, and psychology. As an INTJ personality type, he demonstrates an exceptional cognitive profile, with a Stanford-Binet IQ of 158 and a TalentEQ score in the 99th percentile, both validated through internationally recognized assessments.

With a career spanning several decades, Dr. Bhardwaj has emerged as a preeminent authority in military theory, specializing in cognitive and hybrid warfare—fields that emphasize the psychological and political dimensions of conflict.

His scholarly interests encompass global conspiracy theories, counterterrorism strategies, and in-depth historical analyses of both World Wars, which he skillfully applies to speculative scenarios regarding the potential emergence of World War III.

Employing analytical methodologies grounded in historical precedent and strategic frameworks, Dr. Bhardwaj conducts rigorous evaluations of contemporary military and political landscapes. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Washington.Media, where his incisive commentary elucidates the dynamics of the deep state within the Western bloc.

He is widely recognized as an expert on the historical evolution of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and contemporary Russia, as well as on the intricacies of Gulf politics. With four decades of reading and writing, Dr. Bhardwaj has refined his expertise across multiple disciplines.

Academically, Dr. Antonio Bhardwaj holds a Doctorate in Theological Studies with a specialization in psychology.

His foundational education in mechanical engineering is complemented by a Master’s degree in International Trade and an Executive MBA. Most recently, he completed a seven-month executive program in artificial intelligence, further enhancing his capacity to integrate emerging technologies into strategic paradigms.

Beyond academia, Dr. Bhardwaj has engaged in political activism, having campaigned for Congressional office. His involvement in global political issues underscores his commitment to advocacy, though he remains cognizant of the operational constraints inherent in political engagement.

Dr. Antonio Bhardwaj’s initiatives, including the نهضة (Nahda) project, draw upon his deep understanding of complex social dynamics to compassionately support vulnerable women and underprivileged children.

Through his work, he fosters awareness of their challenges. He empowers them to rise above adversity, while gently yet firmly dismantling oppressive patriarchal structures and creating spaces of dignity, safety, and hope for all.

On a personal level, Dr. Bhardwaj finds solace in observing butterflies, a practice that deepens his connection to nature. His photographic work captures serene forest landscapes and waterfalls, inviting others to share in his appreciation for the natural world. He cherishes quality time with his pet and reflects on the profound experience of raising his daughter as a dedicated single parent. Dr. Bhardwaj also writes introspective poetry, which he regards as a means of fulfilling personal aspirations.

His familial relationships inform his advocacy, with a focus on fostering environments that promote autonomy and freedom of choice for all. Dr. Bhardwaj’s profound respect for the interconnectedness of life serves as a guiding principle he strives to instill in his daughter, advocating for a holistic and compassionate worldview.

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