Published in June 2020, the update of the European strategy for particle physics expressed the wish to strengthen cooperation programmes between particle physics and the European Union. Today, we are reaping the benefit as multiple projects co-financed by the EU are being carried out by CERN and other major European laboratories. They are imagining the accelerators of tomorrow, as well as their infrastructure and societal applications. As a new page is turned with the first selections of future projects funded by Horizon Europe, the EU's new framework programme for research and innovation, our issue takes a look at the projects that bring the entire European scientific community to the table.

How can we spread the use of accelerators in society? By making them more compact and economical, say the engineers, technicians and physicists of the CompactLight project. This month, they brought this European project to a close by releasing the conceptual design for the new generation of compact X-ray free-electron lasers. This question of size and cost is particularly relevant to medical accelerators, stresses Ernesto De Matteis, who is working on the synergies between the HITRI+ and I.FAST projects, which are dedicated to the dissemination of heavy ion radiotherapy and accelerator innovation respectively. The latter project is also launching a final call for applications for its trainee programme. Discoveries are also in the spotlight. The ARIES project, which is due to end in the middle of the year, reports impressive developments in the field of electron lenses for space charge compensation and a prototype to be integrated in the FAIR facility.

On the side of the Future Circular Collider, we report on two events, first, the first FCC Innovation Study workshop on the design of the FCC Collider, and second the fifth FCC Physics Workshop. As part of the FCC Feasibility Study, design works of vacuum components is being carried out now and will soon reach the prototyping phase. We also announce the next FCC Week, to take place in Paris (30 May -3 June 2022).

Read more on the Accelerating News website.