Institutional impulse in wine innovation within the EU framework programs

While the vital role of institutional impulse in advancing knowledge, technology, and innovation is acknowledged, the European Union’s (EU) influence on innovation systems and global market competitiveness remains unclear. This study delves into the influential role of EU-supported research programs, particularly within the agri-food sector, using the wine industry as a focal point. The analysis focuses on EU-funded wine projects in two phases (2007-2013 with Framework Programs 7 and 2014–2020 with Horizon 2020). Employing text-mining techniques, the research considers the EU programs’ fostering the wine industry’s trajectory, leading to changes in production practices, market dynamics, and overall competitiveness. Results underscore the substantial shift of institutional impulse on the European wine industry’s innovation systems, sparking a new wave of advancements and validating a catch-up process in a traditionally low-tech sector. Projects nature has notably shifted to address current sector challenges, reflecting a pivotal transformation towards environmental, economic, and social sustainability. The study’s findings carry significant implications for both the agri-food sector and policymakers, emphasizing the transformative potential of targeted institutional impulse.