ECDI: Kick-off Meeting review and launch of a new dynamic for drone innovation in Europe
The Kick-off Meeting for the ECDI (European Cluster for Drone Innovation) project was held on November 20, 2025, bringing together all European partners around a common goal: to accelerate innovation and build a sustainable drone ecosystem in Europe.
Aerospace Valley, the French coordinator of the initiative, took part in this first strategic step alongside our partners AAERO (Spain), SAC (Poland), and OIKK (Ukraine).
Three future open calls to boost drone SMEs
One of the project's main objectives is to design three open calls dedicated to European SMEs operating in the drone sector, whether for civil or dual-use applications.
These initiatives will aim to:
- encourage technological innovation,
- support high-potential projects,
- strengthen European value chains and industrial capabilities.
These initial discussions have laid the foundations for a program aligned with the needs of the sector and European priorities in terms of technological sovereignty.
Towards the creation of an Innovation Drone Alliance
Another central pillar of the ECDI project is the establishment of the Innovation Drone Alliance, a new collaborative structure designed to bring together players in the drone industry in Europe.
This alliance will aim to:
- facilitate cross-sector cooperation,
- encourage the sharing of expertise,
- strengthen the sector's competitiveness at the European level.
Aerospace Valley will play a key role in building and facilitating this network, in direct connection with the momentum already generated by the cluster in the aeronautics, space, and drone sectors.
A stimulating European collaboration
Aerospace Valley is delighted with the official launch of this ambitious project.
This kick-off marks the beginning of a structured international collaboration, which will pave the way for numerous operational actions in the coming months.
See you soon to discover the first advances of the ECDI project!