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EU news and funding bulletin - 06 March 2009

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EU news & funding is a fortnightly bulletin to keep London's businesses informed of key European information.

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Funding opportunities
Tender opportunities
EU press releases
EU legislation and consultations
Business events

Funding opportunities

Research & Innovation

FP7 supports collaborative projects undertaking technology research and development in:

Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies (NMP)
- EU-Russia, due 31 March 2009
- NMP and Environment Joint Call, due 31 March 2009
Transport, due to 31 March 2009
ICT and Energy Joint Call, due 31 March 2009
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), due 01 April 2009
Energy

Collaborative Projects, due 29 April 2009
Coordinated call with Brazil on Energy Second Generation Biofuels, due 05 May 2009

ARTEMIS programme focuses on downstream research and technology development with a strong market drive. New! Deadline 15 April 09

Together for Health Programme aims to improve the level of physical and mental health and well-being of EU citizens and reduce health inequalities throughout the Community. New! Deadline 20 May 2009.

For further information contact fp7@gle.co.uk

Audiovisual sector

Media 2007 funds business in the audiovisual sector for:

development of interactive products including computer, internet and mobile phone games, due 17 April 2009
development of a film (animation and fiction) and /or documentary, due 17 April 2009
contributing to costs of insurance, completion guarantees and bank financing for an audiovisual work, due 7 July 2009

Preparatory Action MEDIA International aims at strengthening cooperation between audiovisual industries of third countries and European countries.

Transport

Grants to actions in support of the development of sustainable urban mobility projects, deadline 31 March 2009.

ICT

ICT Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP) supports innovative ICT based solutions and digital content., due 02 June 2009

Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) Joint Programme aims to provide ICT based solutions for Advancement of Social Interaction of Elderly People by delivering innovative products, systems or services addressing identified wishes and needs of the end-users (individuals and organisations). 5 May 2009.

Energy

Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) Early warning! The 2009 call for proposals is forecast to be published in late March. 65M€ will become available to support projects promoting energy efficiency. Coming Soon

Eco-Innovation Early warning! The programme supports the first application and further market uptake of eco-innovative products and services in Europe. Coming Soon

For more information contact rachael.m@gle.co.uk

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For more information, please visit the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry website, or contact Tessel van Essen on 020 7203 1838.

EU press releases

Economy: EU support to address the crisis in the automotive sector
Employment: EU to tackle gender pay gap
Environment: Call for action plan on sustainable consumption and production
External relations: EU signs aviation agreement with Pakistan
Financial reporting: Proposal to abolish accounting requirements for micro-enterprises
Funding: Commission supports coalition to fight online child abuse
ICT: Commission prioritises better high-speed internet access in rural regions
ICT: Five major ICT companies agree on efforts to attract more women to ICT jobs
State aid: UK to introduce loan guarantees and interest rate subsidies
Statistics: New industrial orders down in the EU by 6.4%

Read more EU press releases

EU legislation and consultations

Competition:

Amended competition rules in the transport sector, EC legislation The rules of competition in the transport sector have been substantially amended several times. This new Regulation is intended to clarify the competition rules for transport by rail, road and inland waterway. The legislation is intended to ensure that trade between Member States is not negatively affected by distortion of competition. For transport by rail, road and inland waterway, the rules prohibit all agreements between undertakings and all instances of abuse of a dominant position within the internal market which could have such effects. Agreements which are merely intended to apply technical improvements and which contribute to improving productivity may be exempted from the prohibition.

Enterprise:

Amendments to Community Interest Companies Regulation, BERR consultation The Community Interest Company was introduced in 2005 as a new legal form for social enterprises. The legislation offers a legal company structure for social enterprises while ensuring that assets are used for the benefit of the community. The Government has now proposed amendments to clarify and update the legislation. Amendments will not change the policy approach to CICs, only introduce minor changes. CICs, individuals and other organisations with links to the not-for profit sector are welcome to submit contributions until 6 April 2009.

Financial services:

Review of Investor Compensation Schemes Directive, EC consultation The Commission has launched a consultation to assess whether the Investor Compensation Schemes Directive should be reviewed. The Directive aims to protect investors against the risk of losses in the event of insolvency (resulting in an investment firm’s inability to repay money). Opinions are sought from the public on the functioning of the scheme, in particular four issues: the scope of the Directive; the amount of compensation; the funding of the compensation schemes and technical aspects which may hamper the efficient functioning of the schemes. The deadline for contributions is 8 April 2009.

Internal market:

Consultation on a possible Statute for a European Foundation, EC consultation The Commission has launched a consultation to assess the need for a European Foundation Statute. The purpose of the Statute is to enable the use of a single legal form instead of up to 27 national ones. The consultation covers the difficulties faced by foundations when operating cross-border, the content of a possible European Foundation Statute and on how it might affect donors' and founders' attitudes. The Commission encourages foundations, trusts, donors, founders, tax authorities, legal practitioners and academics among other stakeholders to fill out the online questionnaire. The consultation closes on 15 May 2009.

Health and safety:

Health and safety strategy for UK workplaces, HSE consultation The Health and Safety Executive seeks opinions on its strategy to prevent death, injury and ill health in Great Britain’s workplaces. HSE has developed a new strategy as a response to trends such as the recent slowing of improvement in Great Britain’s health and safety performance and the need to regain the health and safety brand from those who misuse it. The strategy sets out a number of goals to be achieved, including encouraging strong leadership, building competence and avoiding catastrophes in high hazard industries. Stakeholders are welcome to give views on what changes are required to the overall system.

Transport:

Towards a better integrated trans-European transport network, EC consultation The Commission has initiated a broad review of the trans-European transport network policy (TEN-T) and invites stakeholders’ opinions on its proposals. Among the future challenges being considered when reviewing the policy are climate change, economic growth and economic and social cohesion. Interested parties are encouraged to fill out a questionnaire, in particular infrastructure managing companies, transport service providers or operators in the different transport sectors, research institutes, financial institutions, non-governmental organisations and business associations. The deadline for contributions is 30 April 2009.

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: call 020 7489 1992 or email europe@londonchamber.co.uk

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