Brussels – Titled “ICE Listens to Europe – The European Defence Fund 2026: Opportunities for Italian Companies,” an event dedicated to the European Defence Fund (EDF) will take place on 24 June in Brussels, both in person and online.
The initiative aims to provide Italian businesses with a clear overview of the EU’s funding priorities and industrial strategies, offering practical guidance on how to successfully access research and development funding in the defence sector.
The event is jointly organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), the Permanent Representation of Italy to the European Union, and the Permanent Representation of Italy to NATO.
Opening remarks will be delivered by Tindaro Paganini, Director of the ICE Office in Brussels, who will outline the Agency’s role in supporting the international positioning of Italian companies through initiatives across the Benelux region aimed at promoting defence and dual-use industries.
The programme will then focus on European defence industrial policies, including a detailed examination of the multidomain approach and the development of new technological supply chains. These topics will be presented by Colonel Andrea Truppo, Adviser for Defence Industrial Policy at Italy’s Permanent Representation to the European Union.
A key session of the event will be devoted to the European Defence Fund and its upcoming calls for proposals. Marco Appodia, Policy Officer for Defence Industrial Programming Coordination at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), will provide an in-depth overview of participation requirements, the formation of transnational consortia, and best practices for companies seeking funding.
The broader European defence ecosystem will also be examined, with a focus on strategic entry points for Italy’s industrial sector. This session will be led by Fabio Massimo Castaldo, National Expert at Italy’s Permanent Representations to NATO and the European Union.