New Funding Opportunities for Businesses

Energy

Fusion for Energy has launched a call for expressions of interest in a list of experts in order to assist the organisation with a set of activities, including providing technical expertise and participation in working groups. Successful applicants will be included on a list of experts which will be valid until 4 July 2013.

• Applications may be submitted at any time, up to the last 3 months of validity of the list i.e. 4 April 2013.

Regional development

Funding will be available for organisations which carry out research and analysis of European territorial development and cohesion issues. The following calls for proposals will be formally announced on 20 August 2008 with a final submission deadline of 20 October 2008:

• Applied research on climate change and territorial effects on regions and local economies
• Targeted analysis of eight key themes, including ‘territorial diversity’ and ‘ potential of rural regions’
• Development of scientific platform and tools in relation to territorial indicators and indices

For more information on EPSON 2013, please see the Operational Programme.

Transport

If you are active in the transport sector and in particular carry out research, deliver training or work to coordinate standards and procedures across Europe, you may be able to access funding under the recent call for proposals released by the DG for Transport:

• Grants in the field of transport, 18 August 2008

Ongoing Funding Application Deadlines

Culture

If you are working in the cultural sector and wish to set up cultural projects or be supported as an organisation, you may benefit from the Culture programme, which is divided into two strands with different types of activities and deadlines:

• Support for cultural projects (strand 1) - Cultural organisations are given support for projects to work together across borders and to create and implement cultural and artistic activities - 1 October 2008, 1 February 2009, 1 May 2009

• Support for organisations active at European level in the field of culture (Strand 2) - 1 November 2008

Entrepreneurship

Are you setting-up your own business and willing to learn from the experience of a successful entrepreneur’s company in another Member State? The Commission is offering grants under the following funding programme:

• Erasmus for young entrepreneurs - 20 August 2008

Environment

If you are developing environmental technologies or are engaged in eco-innovation you may be able to access funding through the Intelligent Energy Europe or Eco-innovation programmes. The eco-innovation programme finances projects in the areas of material recycling, sustainable buildings, food and drink industrial processes, green businesses and smart purchasing. Priority will be given to applications from SMEs.

• Eco-friendly products and services, Eco-innovation programme – 11 September 2008

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)

If you are developing ICT based solutions, you may be able to access funding under the ICT Policy Support Programme:

• Using ICT to improve public participation in legislative and decision-making processes, eParticipation - 29 August 2008
• Projects to increase the use and uptake of ICT; ICT Policy Support Programme – 9 September 2008

Life Long Learning

If you have an interest and role in vocational education and training as well as qualifications, you may be eligible for the Life Long Learning programme:

• Actions to test and develop the credit system for vocational education and training (ECVET), Life Long Learning programme - 13 August 2008
• Actions to develop and implement the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), including national and sectoral qualifications frameworks – 13 August 2008

Research & Innovation

If you are carrying out market-orientated research and development, you may be able to access funding from the European Union which supports R&D in a range of technological areas, including electronic computing technology.

• Research in embedded computing technologies, ARTEMIS – 3 September 2008
• Research and development undertaken by SMEs (any technological area), Eurostars programme - 21 November 2008

Science

If you are part of an interdisciplinary, scientific research network this funding could be for you. The COST programme aims to strengthen the foundations of scientific excellence across Europe; it does not fund research itself.

• European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical research (COST) – Preliminary proposals by 26 September 2008; final proposals by 14 November

Vocational training

If you are delivering vocational education and training, or if your company is interested in offering training opportunities to staff members, the European Union runs funding programmes for cooperation with Asia and Oceania in the field of training from which you could benefit:

• Training for Company Executives interested in developing their business in the Japanese or Korean markets, Executive Training Programme (ETP) – 30 September 2008

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Subscription to the tender monitoring service (TED) includes:

• Creation of a unique company profile tailored to your business activity
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• 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.

EU Press releases

• Aviation: Aviation to be included in the EU Emissions Trading System from 2012
• Aviation: Europe and US sign aviation agreement to improve safety and cut costs
• Telecoms: Commission welcomes European Parliament vote to reform EU Telecom rules
• Telecoms: EU Roaming Regulation – One year on
• VAT: Optional reduction of the VAT rate for certain categories of services proposed
• Budget: Commission recommends deadline for correction of excessive deficit in the UK
• Energy: Proposal to reduce standby electricity consumption
• Funding: Commission proposes School Fruit Scheme worth €90 million per year
• Healthcare: Proposal for Directive on patients' rights in cross-border healthcare
• Employment: 14.5 million employees to benefit from improved information rights
• Social affairs: EU proposes protection from discrimination beyond the workplace
• Social affairs: Commission proposes Renewed Social Agenda for 21st century Europe
• Satellite navigation: Procurement for the European navigation satellites to start
• Competition: Adoption of Regulation automatically approving aid for jobs and growth

Click here for more EU press releases

EU Legislation and consultations

Competition:

Settlement procedures in cartel cases, EC legislation The regulation amends Regulation (EC) 773/2004 on the conduct of settlement procedures in cartel cases. The purpose is to make those subject to investigation for violations of the rules to settle cases more quickly with a 10% reduction of the fine.

Employment:

New regulation on social security schemes, EC legislation Regulation 592/2008 amends a previous Regulation from 1971 on the application to social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the EU. The new Regulation takes into account some major legislative changes in certain EU Member States, including France, Germany and Ireland, concerning social security benefits.

ICT:

Introduction of new innovative satellite communications services, EC legislationThe introduction of the new system for selection and authorisation of operators of mobile satellite systems (MSS) seeks to increase the availability of services and enhance competition between operators on the internal market. The objective is also to achieve universal coverage within the EU, thereby providing all regions with efficient communication technologies.

New EU approach towards greater web accessibility, EC consultationThe consultation seeks views on web accessibility issues in order to explore a common European approach. The objectives with the common European approach are to simplify web access for disabled users and to reduce national divergent policies presenting further difficulties for people with disabilities.

Telecoms:

Public consultation on termination rates, EC consultation The Commission seeks contributions on its draft Recommendation concerning call termination rates in the EU. Termination rates are charged between operators when transferring a call to their network. The purpose is to reduce the major differences in the regulation of termination rates across the EU and to facilitate reductions in termination rates to the benefit of European consumers.

Exposure to noise from personal music players, EC consultation The Commission requires the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) to consider whether the exposure to noise from personal music players and similar devices at current permissible noise levels may cause considerable health risks. SCENIHR is also requested to identify priority issues for further research within the field. Views are therefore sought on the best ways forward.

Transport:

Amending Directive 91/439/EEC on driving licences, EC legislation Directive 2008/65/EC amends the previous Directive to take into account the scientific and technological progress made in the field, particularly with regard to the driving licence category for vehicles with automatic transmission only. The Directive also announces a review of the minimum requirements for practical and theory tests.

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

Business Events

Euroscience Open Forum 2008, Spain, 18 - 22 July 2008

25th European Conference on Surface Science, UK, 27 July - 1 August 2008

Building the Capacity of SMEs: Unlocking the UK’s Talent, UK, 12 August 2008

Co-ordinating EU Research Projects, UK, 2 September 2008

European Conference on Information Management and Evaluation, UK, 11 September 2008

SME Banking in Europe Conference, Belgium, 11-12 September 2008

Third European Conference on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, UK, 15 -16 September 2008

Green IT Networking Event, UK, 24 September 2008

Second Slovak Business Matchmaking Fair 2008, Slovakia, 23 – 24 September 2008

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