FUTURED. ZAL Magazin 2025

ESPLORO PROJECTS
THE PERFECT PIE:
NATIONAL INTERESTS
AND EUROPEAN
COLLABORATION
However, internal growth alone is insufficient.
Collaboration does not reduce our share of the
pie; it enlarges it by adding more diverse ingredients.
Complex challenges like developing
low-carbon technologies demand cross-national
capabilities and become surmountable through
collaboration.
24
Discussing how to break down large challenges so that they can be
tackled with compact solutions.
Learn more about
esploro here.
In today’s complex global landscape, challenges
like economic instability and geopolitical
tensions shape national priorities. In
response, leaders focus on internal interests,
strengthening their economies and
addressing domestic issues.
Aeronautic research reflects this principle, with
nationally funded projects like Germany’s LuFo
enhancing national expertise, creating jobs and
improving well-being. Such measures are indispensable
in uncertain times. Without a solid basis,
there is no pie to share – or, at best, a pie
without filling, unable to compete globally.
The Clean Aviation project FASTER-H2 illustrates
this. Focused on hydrogen-powered aircraft
technologies, it is jointly led by partners from
Germany and Spain with 31 beneficiaries.
esploro projects supported a balanced proposal
elaboration and continues now as project beneficiary
to ensure dissemination, communication
and exploitation (DCE). This allows partners
maintain clear rights and benefits, enhancing everyone’s
share of the pie.
Sustainability, a global challenge, cannot be
solved by one country alone, especially in aviation.
SMR ACAP work package 3, led by esploro
projects and DLR, unites partners from seven
countries to develop the Clean Aviation Aerospace
Unit Inventory Database and conduct life
cycle assessments. This supports the net-zero
emissions goal for 2050 by integrating environmental
evaluation into design processes. Such
initiatives demonstrate how collaboration drives
innovation and sustainability.
While nations must prioritize their citizens’
well-being – akin to a baker preparing tools –
they must also value cross-border collaboration.
National growth and global sustainability are
complementary, not contradictory.