The European Commission has received more than 160 applications for “strategic project” status under the second call for strategic projects launched as part of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), according to a press release issued on Monday 19 January.
“Obtaining strategic project status gives project promoters access to guidance on private and public funding. It also generates greater attention from the financing hub established through the RESource Action Plan, which mobilises resources from EU funds and the European Investment Bank”.
Strategic projects located in the EU should, among other things, benefit from expedited permitting procedures.
The projects that applied include most of the strategic raw materials identified under the CRMA. 75 projects could support the battery value chain, 21 focus on rare earth elements for permanent magnets (vital for wind turbines and other renewable energy applications) while several projects relate to defence. The Commission received 95 applications from the EU and 66 from third countries, including 40 from overseas countries and territories with which the EU has established a strategic partnership on raw materials. The Commission will have to discuss the projects with the Member States before finalising the selection.
During the first call for projects in August 2024, 170 projects applied for strategic project status and 60 were selected. In 2025, this led to the designation of 47 strategic projects in the EU and 13 projects in third countries. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)