Strengthening the cooperation of semiconductor-intensive EU regions (CSA) -

The topic's objective is to support semiconductor-intensive regions and regional industrial semiconductor clusters working with regional governments. The notion of semiconductors includes integrated circuits (chips) with electronic and photonic functionalities.

Regions have an essential role to play in the implementation of EU policies in the field of semiconductors. Within their remit they facilitate establishing industrial activities related to semiconductor production and services by providing for example construction permits, energy, water, infrastructure and often funding. They help creating regional ecosystems around big fabs and contribute to structuring clusters of actors across the value chain.

The expected outcomes are

• Stronger cooperation of regions (governments and linked industrial clusters) which are active across the semiconductor supply chain
• Contributions to the smart specialisation of regions in the semiconductor area
• Maps of regional semiconductor ecosystems across the value chain and their connections amongst each other and identification of common needs
• A joint strategy to link and strengthen regional semiconductor ecosystems which may possibly lead to increased effectiveness of the Competence Centres originating from the Chips for Europe initiative.
• A sustainable online platform exchanging information on capabilities and best practices, guiding potential investors and supporting new entrants intending to specialise in semiconductor.

The action should pursue its objectives by means of

• Identifying key local actors in the semiconductor supply chain and their common needs
• Developing a joint strategy to strengthen the cooperation of semiconductor-intensive regions
• Exploring cooperation with the Chips Competence Centres established under the Chips JU
• Evidence gathering on obstacles to semiconductor production investments related to framework conditions such as permitting
• Collecting best practices on overcoming such obstacles and preparing guidelines and their dissemination to the respective regional and national public authorities for accelerating the construction of semiconductor production infrastructures in Europe.

The action should support networking and joint work of the involved stakeholders, such as e.g. those in the European Semiconductor Regions Alliance (ESRA).

Beneficiaries that intend to transfer ownership or grant an exclusive licence must formally notify the granting authority (i.e. DG-CNECT and HaDEA) before the intended transfer or licensing takes place and the granting authority may up to four years after the end of the action object to a transfer of ownership or the exclusive licensing of results.

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