The Competitiveness Operational Program (COP)

The Competitiveness Operational Program (COP) supports investments that respond to the needs and challenges of low economic competitiveness in research, development and innovation (RDI) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). These horizontal interventions in the economy and society generate growth and sustainability.

Bringing these two vectors – RDI and ICT – together under the same operational program is strategically justified by the multiplier role of these areas and their contribution to meeting the objectives of smart specialization and promoting new growth opportunities, particularly in a limited number of priority areas focused on Romania’s comparative advantages.

The COP finances the development of the following smart specialization areas identified in the National Research and Innovation Strategy 2014-2020:

  • Bioeconomy;
  • information and communication technology, space and security;
  • energy, environment and climate change;
  • eco-nano-technologies and advanced materials.

During the 2014-2020 programming period, the COP receives funding of €1,829,787,234 from the ERDF.

Managing Authority for the Competitiveness Operational Program (Directorate-General for European Competitiveness Programs)

Competitiveness Operational Program (COP)

The Competitiveness Operational Program (OP) supports investments to address the needs and challenges related to low levels of economic competitiveness, in particular in relation to (a) insufficient support for research, development and innovation (RDI) and (b) underdeveloped ICT infrastructure and thus underdeveloped services, thus positioning itself as a driver for horizontal interventions in the economy and society that can lead to growth and sustainability.

Bringing together the two vectors – Research-Development-Innovation and Information and Communication Technology – within the same operational program is strategically justified by the multiplier role of these areas and the direct support through which they contribute to the objectives of smart specialization and promote new growth opportunities, especially in a limited number of priority areas focused on Romania’s comparative advantages.

The investments dedicated to strengthening research, technological development and innovation of the Competitiveness OP continue those started in the 2007-2013 period, whose results are already starting to become visible, but are more oriented towards involving the private sector in RDI activities, stimulating partnerships between the public research system and private actors, market orientation and technology transfer, and increasing the international exposure of Romanian research. Major projects such as Extreme Light Infrastructure – Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) or the International Centre for Advanced Studies on River-Delta-Sea Systems (DANUBIUS – RI) will also be funded by the Competitiveness OP.

The following areas of smart specialization have been identified in the framework of the National Research and Innovation Strategy 2014-2020 and will be supported by the OP:

  • Bioeconomy.
  • information and communication technology, space and security.
  • energy, environment and climate change.
  • eco-nano-technologies and advanced materials.

Romania, like other EU Member States, has been affected by the economic crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic crisis is affecting the activity of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are facing a sudden shortage of liquidity or even the unavailability of liquidity.

For businesses affected by the COVID 19 crisis, €550 million has been allocated under IPA3.

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