Zabala Innovation Consulting, S.A.
Budget
€50 — €0
EP Access
4
accredited persons
Staff
5
0.95 FTE
EU Grants
€6,576,356
Mission & Goals
Zabala Innovation is an international consultancy firm specialising in innovation strategy and R&D financing, established in 1986. The company supports organisations in securing funding and managing innovation, with a consolidated track record across European and international programmes. Its activities include advising on policies and initiatives that stimulate innovation, such as demand-driven instruments and public procurement. Collaboration with public administrations contributes to the promotion of innovation ecosystems, while tailored support enables companies to integrate innovation into their overall strategies. Through customised and coordinated approaches, organisations are better prepared to address transformation challenges effectively. Extensive expertise in European programmes provides access to financing opportunities that foster the development and market uptake of innovative projects.
EU Legislative Interests
- COM_2025_570_1 - Commission Communication on A dynamic EU budget for the priorities of the future – The Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 - COM_2025_555_1 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing the European Competitiveness Fund (‘ECF’) including the specific programme for defence research and innovation activities - COM/2025/543 Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing Horizon Europe, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, for the period 2028-2034 laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/695 - Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe — the framework programme for research and innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination - COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2021/764 of 10 May 2021 establishing the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, and repealing Decision 2013/743/EU - Action Plan for the European Automotive Industry - Clean Industrial Deal - EU Industrial Strategy - Net Zero Industry Act - Strategic Action Plan on Batteries - Regulatory sandboxes in the energy sector - Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET PLAN) - Pact for Skills - Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion - European Commission - Circular Economy Action Plan - Critical Raw Materials Act - Reform of the electricity market design - European Chips Act - NEXT GENERATION EU: Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and National Recovery and Resilience Plans (RRPs) - Artificial Intelligence Act - AI innovation package to support Artificial Intelligence startups and SMEs: coordination of the AI-BOOST project (AI-BOOST (aiboost-project.eu) - European strategy for data
Communication Activities
POSITION PAPERS Zabala Innovation is a key player in the innovation ecosystem. As such, we have prepared a document outlining essential factors for the upcoming 10th Framework Programme, aimed at enhancing innovation and competitiveness in Europe. You can download the document from our website after completing a form: https://www.zabala.eu/publications/position-paper-10th-framework-programme/ EUROPEAN COMMISSION ACTIVITIES Cooperation across SET Plan Implementation Working Groups (IWGs) Zabala Innovation coordinates the SET-IndEU project, serving as the structured Secretariat for the SET Plan Implementation Working Group 6 (IWG6 – Sustainable and Efficient Energy Use in Industry). The company oversees project coordination, supports governance, facilitates stakeholder engagement, monitors and reviews the Action 6 Implementation Plan, and ensures alignment of R&I priorities between EU and national levels. Over the course of 2025, Zabala, through the SET-IndEU Secretariat, organised key activities including the IWG-Industry & IWG Smart Energy joint policy session during EUSEW in Brussels on 11 June, and hosted the SET Plan IWG-Industry 2025 Annual Event—titled ‘Towards highly efficient and sustainable energy use in European industries’—on 2 June in Kraków, as a satellite event of EUIndTech 2025, featuring two thematic panels and engagement with national and European stakeholders. Energy Investors Dialogue Zabala is subcontractor in a tender to support the European Commission in the Investors Dialogue which offers a platform for energy and finance experts to assess and upgrade relevant financing schemes. It has supported the management of the WG on heating and cooling and collected and re-elaborated inputs recommendations from experts on how public bodies can leverage private financing in heating and cooling. Some of the deliverables could be used by the Commission to feed the heat pump action plan, whose launch was however postponed. SURVEYS AND CONSULTATIONS Innovation Fund stakeholders’ consultation The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) have hosted some Stakeholder Consultation Events on the upcoming 2025 Innovation Fund Call for Proposals (IF25 Call). Zabala Innovation has participated in these events providing feedback. EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) Public Consultation Zabala Innovation has participated in the Public Consultations on the EU’s next long-term budget (MFF). EVENTS IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT On January 28th 2025, the European Parliament hosted the event “R&I as a Key Factor for Industrial Transformation,” bringing together leading policymakers, experts, and industry leaders to discuss the critical role of Research and Innovation (R&I) in strengthening industrial competitiveness across Europe. Zabala Innovation played a central role in advocating for enhanced support for industrial R&D as a fundamental driver of Europe’s economic growth and innovation leadership. More information here: www.zabala.eu/news/european-parliament-fp10-event/
Interests Represented
Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members
Member Of
Greenovate: https://greenovate-europe.eu/ Innovative Advanced Materials for Europe (IAM4EU) Partnership: www.iam-i.eu/iam4eu-partnership/ ECTP: http://www.ectp.org/ Official Chamber of Commerce of Spain in BENELUX: https://e-camara.com/ BECI: https://www.beci.be/ Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC): https://biconsortium.eu/
Organisation Members
As above
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.