OREANDA-NEWS. The European Union invites Belarusian companies to join Horizon 2020 program, expert of the EU representative office in Belarus Elena Kasko told reporters.

Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation program ever with nearly ˆ80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020) - in addition to the private investment that this money will attract.

Seen as a means to drive economic growth and create jobs, Horizon 2020 has the political backing of Europe's leaders and the Members of the European Parliament.

By coupling research and innovation, Horizon 2020 emphasizes three priorities: science, that is strengthening the EU's global position in research, innovation and technology;•industrial leadership, that is responding to the economic crisis to invest in future jobs and growth; societal challenges, that is addressing people's concerns about their livelihoods, safety and environment.

Due to the program, Belarusian companies will get access to venture investments, the source stressed.