New Funding Application Deadlines

Audiovisual Sector

Apply for MEDIA 2007 funding to support:

• Development of interactive products including computer, internet and mobile phone games intended for commercial exploitation 17 November 2008 or 17 April 2009


• Development of a film (animation and fiction) and / or documentary intended for commercial exploitation 17 November 2008 or 17 April 2009

Click here for a briefing relating to the MEDIA 2007 Programme.

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Environment

Life+ can fund up to 50% of project costs in the environment sector, due 21 November 2008.

For free support with your Life+ application, please email Rachael McCorriston at GLE who will be running one-to-one sessions for applicants to the programme.

Evaluation and technical support

The European Research Council is looking for organisations to help develop its evaluation and assessment framework. For more information, click here. Proposals must be submitted by 12 November 2008.

Research & Innovation

Eurostars supports SMEs carrying out research and development in a technological area, due 21 November 2008

‘FP7’ Programme for research and development supports technology development in the following fields:

• Sustainable energy technologies covering 10 key areas, due 25th November 2008
• Security related technologies, due 4 December 2008
• Space science and technology, due 4 December 2008
• Health sector technology, due 3 December 2008 and 22 April 2009
• Environment & climate change technology, due 8 January 2009

For further information contact fp7@gle.co.uk

Funding is also available for the following activities:

• Activities of International Cooperation - building relationships with science & technology organisations in non-EU countries (four work programmes) due 12 January 2009
• Transnational socio-economic research projects in seven areas including growth, sustainable development, trends in society and citizenship. Applications due 13 January 2009

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Other Funding Opportunities

ERDF – European Regional Development Funds

The 2nd Round of the London European Regional Development Fund will fund projects supporting SMEs which focus on specific tailored business-level support:

• Priority 1 - Business innovation and research and promoting eco-efficiency
• Priority 2 - Access to new markets and access to finance

The funding is addressed to organisations and/or networks including local authorities and chambers of commerce , although private, profit-making organisations can act as strategic partners, match funders or sub-contractors.

Proposals must be submitted by 12 noon on 16 January 2009.

For further information contact Rachael McCorriston at GLE.

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Subscribe to daily alerts for new tender opportunities

Subscription to the tender monitoring service (TED) includes:

• Creation of a unique company profile tailored to your business activity
• Daily alerts of contract notices matching your unique company profile
• Ad hoc searches for contract notices
• Profile adjustment to meet changing needs
• Assistance and advice on tendering procedures and procurement legislation

For more information, please click here for the TED section of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry website, or contact Tessel van Essen on 020 7203 1838.

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EU Press releases

• Agriculture: Customs duties on cereals to be reintroduced
• Aviation: New air transport regulation brings improved safety and price transparency
• Competition: Commission opens consultations on review of EC Merger Regulation
• Consumers: Launch of Citizen’s Energy Forum to improve deals for EU energy consumers
• Consumers: New Directive provides better protection for timeshare holidaymakers
• Economy: EU economic sentiment falls significantly
• Employment: Better protection for temporary agency workers
• Employment: EU report on pensions identifies large variations between Member States
• Energy: Support for regulation to improve energy performance of external power supply
• Environment: Commission package to combat illegal logging and deforestation
• ICT: Proposal on new secure system for sharing information on critical infrastructure
• ICT: European parliament supports the launch of a new Safer Internet Programme
• Public procurement: Consultation on the use of e-procurement in Europe
• Research: Leading EU research institutes form an alliance to foster EU energy research
• Transport: Agreement to promote clean and energy-efficient vehicles through public procurement

Click here for more EU press releases

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EU Legislation and consultations

Agriculture:

Import duties on cereals back in force, EC legislation To promote the import of cereals to the EU, import duties were temporarily suspended for the 2008/09 marketing year. Due to the price decrease on the cereals market, the duties are now being reintroduced.

Agriculture:

Proposed regulation on plant protection products to replace existing Directives, EC legislation Substances should only be included in plant protection products where it has been demonstrated that they are clearly beneficial and where they do not cause any harm to human or animal health or have unacceptable effects on the environment. The purpose of replacing existing Directives with a Regulation is to ensure the same level of protection in all Member States and to avoid obstacles to trade in these products due to different levels of protection in Member States.

Aviation:

New requirements for aircrafts not involved in commercial air transport, EC legislation Following an evaluation of the European Aviation Safety Agency, amendments to Regulation 2042/2003 have been made concerning airworthiness of aircraft and on the approval of organisations and personnel involved in these tasks. The current provisions for aircraft not involved in commercial air transport are considered too stringent and have therefore been significantly amended.

Chemicals:

Decision not to include certain substances in the Biocidal Products Directive, EC legislation The Commission has decided not to include certain substances in Annex I, IA or IB to Directive 98/8/EC due to Member States not submitting required dossiers or participants withdrawing from the review programme. The decision means concerned substances will not be authorised for placement on the market within Member States.

Competition:

Commission Regulation on the control of mergers, EC legislation To ensure that competition concerns are dealt with more effectively, the Commission has revised its guidelines on remedies in merger control. The Commission has also revised the Merger Regulation from 2004 and has taken into account comments received from a public consultation held last year.

Competition:

Consultation on the exemption from EC competition law for liner shipping consortia, EC consultation Shipping lines are currently allowed to enter into cooperation for the purpose of providing a joint service. This constitutes an exemption from EC competition law and the ban on restrictive business practices (EC Treaty Article 81). The Commission has launched a public consultation on new draft legislation that proposes to revise and prolong the exemption.

Employment:

Protection of employees in the event of insolvency of their employer, EC legislation A number of amendments have been made to Directive 80/987 since it was adopted in 1980, requiring this codified version. The rules ensure a minimum degree of protection, in particular to guarantee employees right to outstanding pay claims.

Enterprise:

Consultation on the implementation of Shareholder Rights Directive, BERR consultation BERR seeks opinions on the implementation of Directive 2007/36/EC on the Exercise of Certain Rights of Shareholders in Listed Companies. The Directive aims to improve corporate governance in EU companies through facilitating for shareholders to use their voting rights. To implement the Directive, the UK Companies Act 2006 and the legislative provisions on shareholders rights need to be changed.

Enterprise:

Consultation on proposed legislation on the Statute for a European private company, BERR consultation BERR seeks views on a proposed EC regulation intended to facilitate the establishment and operation of SMEs in the Single Market by offering a new European legal form. Companies are encouraged to give their view on how this new regulation would affect UK businesses.

Medicines:

Recruitment for the European Medicines Agency, Administrative procedures The European Medicines Agency, responsible for co-ordinating the evaluation and supervision of medicinal products in the EU, seeks SMEs as contract agents for temporary assignments in London.

State aid:

State aid rules in the banking crises, EC communication This Commission communication provides guidance on the criteria applicable for measures taken by Member States to support financial institutions and restore confidence in the financial markets.

Confused about how EU legislation affects your business? Any other queries on EU affairs or trans-European matters? Take advantage of our free enquiry service: Phone 020 7489 1992 or mail to europe@londonchamber.co.uk

Click here for the EU's Enterprise and Industry online magazine

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Business Events

Baltic States: Discover the Opportunities for your Business Seminar, London/UK, 4 November 2008

Intelligent Devices and Systems, London/UK, 4 November 2008

International Entrepreneurship and Small Business Conference, Belfast/UK, 4 - 7 November 2008

Strategy, Working Together and New Funding Opportunities, London/UK, 5 November 2008

Monaco: Glamour and Business, London/UK, 12 November 2008

Mobilise Your Workforce 08: Smart adoption of Enterprise Mobility, Reading/UK, 12 November 2008

Networking event for women setting up their own business, London/UK, 13 November 2008

Renewable Energy & Energy-efficient Technologies, London/UK, 19 November 2008

Cellular Basis for Injury Repair, London/UK, 20 November 2008

European Congress on Training and Continuous Training, Cologne/Germany, 21 November 2008

Switch-Asia Funding Programme information session, Brussels/Belgium, 27 November 2008

Small Business conference; Sustainable Entrepreneurship Networking, Skopje/Macedonia, 27-28 November 2008

Next Generation Web Networking Event, London/UK, 3 December 2008

PAST BULLETINS

EU News and Funding Bulletin - 14.11.08
EU News and Funding Bulletin - 31.10.08
EU News and Funding Bulletin - 17.10.08
EU News and Funding Bulletin - 03.10.08
EU News and Funding Bulletin - 19.09.08
EU News and Funding Bulletin - 22.08.08
EU News and Funding Bulletin - 08.08.08
EU News and Funding Bulletin - 25.07.08
EU News and Funding Bulletin - 11.07.08
EU News and Funding Bulletin - 27.06.08
EU News and Funding Bulletin - 13.06.08
EU News and Funding Bulletin - 31.05.08