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EU news and funding bulletin - 19 September 2008

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

New Funding Application Deadlines

Audiovisual Sector

Funding is now available under the MEDIA 2007 programme 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.

For further information, come to a free funding event on Media 2007 on 23rd September at 15.30-17.30. The event will be hosted by GLE and will include presentations on how to access Media 2007 and examples of the impact this funding can make on a business.

To book your place, contact Meshach on innovation@gle.co.uk / 020 7940 1512

Culture

If you wish to set up cultural projects or be supported as an organisation, the Culture programme is divided into two strands:

Support for cultural projects to work together across borders and to create and implement cultural and artistic activities, due 1 October 2008, 1 February 2009, 1 May 2009
Support for organisations active at European level in the field of culture, due 1 November 2008

For further information, please email Rachael McCorriston at GLE or call 020 7940 1512.

Energy

Fusion for Energy has launched a call for expressions of interest in a list of experts to assist in 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.

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.

Regional development

Funding for organisations which carry out research and analysis of European territorial development and cohesion issues. Applications due by 15 October 2008:

Applied research on climate change
Targeted analysis of eight key themes, including 'territorial diversity' and 'potential of rural regions'
Development of scientific tools in relation to territorial indicators and indices

For more information on ESPON 2013, please see the Operational Programme

Research & Innovation

If you are an SME carrying out research and development in a technological area, you are eligible for funding under the Eurostars programme. Your project can address any technological area, but must be aimed at the development of a new product, process or service. Applications due by 21 November 2008

Security related technologies 4 December 2008
Space science and technology 4 December 2008

Health sector technology:

Single stage proposals 3 December 2008,
2 stage proposals 22 April 2009
Environment & climate change technology 8 January 2009
Sustainable energy technologies covering 10 key areas 25th November 2008

Funding is also available for the following research activities:

Building relationships with science & technology organisations in non-EU countries (4 work programmes) 12 January 2009
Socio-economic research including growth, employment, competitiveness a sustainability (3 work programmes) 13 January 2009

Click here for detailed briefings relating to funding for Research and Development (this page is continually updated as new funding calls are published).

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.

EU Press releases

Agriculture: Proposal to improve animal welfare at slaughter
Competition: Ruling on impeding parallel trade in medicines in breach of EC competition law
Competition: Roundtable on opportunities and barriers to online retailing in the Single Market
Economy: Euro area and EU inflation down slightly
Energy: Launch of Africa-EU energy partnership
Environment: Strong public support for EU targets on climate change
Funding: New guide to EU research, innovation and cohesion funding opportunities published
Funding UK to benefit from "European Fisheries Fund 2007-2013"
Humanitarian Aid: Proposals to increase budget for food distribution to the most deprived persons within the EU
ICT: Proposal to expand the IT trade agreement
Innovation: European Institute of Innovation and Technology commences operations
Micro-finance: New JASMINE initiative to develop micro-finance institutions in Europe
Taxation: Commission requests the UK to change rules on cross-border loss compensation
Telecoms: Consultation on Next Generation Access broadband networks

Click here for more EU press releases

EU Legislation and consultations

Agriculture

New regulation 889/2008/EC laying down rules on the implementation of 834/2007/EC on organic production, labelling and control, EC legislation Regulation 889/2008/EC provides details on the implementation of the new rules regarding organic production, labelling and control adopted in June 2007. The new rules enter into force on 1 January 2009 and will constitute a new, simplified import regime, a more consistent control regime and more detailed labelling requirements. The EU organic logo, for example, will be mandatory and the place where the products are farmed must be indicated in order to inform consumers.

Enforcement:

Establishing Primary Authorities under the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008, BERR consultation This consultation seeks opinions on the Primary Authority scheme due to enter into force in April 2009. The scheme concerns the way local authorities take enforcement action against companies and organisations operating across more than one local authority. If a Primary Authority has been appointed, any authority taking enforcement action against a company must contact the Primary Authority first and ensure that its action is in accordance with any advice that the company has previously been given.

Internal market:

Harmonisation of solvency rules for Institutions for Occupational Retirement provision, EC consultation The consultation seeks views from all stakeholders on whether further harmonisation of the solvency regime for IORPs operating on a cross-border basis is desirable or not.

Labelling:

Directive 2008/58/EC amending rules relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances, EC legislation Directive 2008/58/EC amends, for the purpose of its adaptation to technical progress, for the 30th time, the original Council Directive 67/548/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances.

Taxation:

First report on the effectiveness of Directive 2003/48 on taxation of savings, EC report The Directive requires automatic exchange of information when residents in a Member State receive interest payments from paying agents in other Member States. These rules enable Member States to apply their national taxation rules without distorting competition. The evaluation shows that the implementation of the Directive has proceeded without particular problems but the report also presents possible improvements and amendments.

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

Media 2007 - European Funding Event London/UK, 23 September 2008

Green IT Networking Event, London/UK, 24 September 2008

Reveal your Russian potential seminar, London/UK, 29 September 2008

Discover Slovenia: a dynamic country in the heart of Europe seminar, London/UK, 2 October 2008

Belgium: A tax holiday in Europe? seminar, London/UK, 7 October 2008

How to bid effectively for World Bank projects workshop, London/UK, 16 October 2008

Is Romania good for your business? Come and meet the experts, London/UK, 21 October 2008

Standardisation and SMEs; Worlds Standards Day 2008 conference, Paris/France, 21 October 2008

Infectious diseases conference: Innovative technologies for detection, treatment and prevention, London/UK, 22 October 2008

European Standardisation; CEN Standard days, Brussels/Belgium, 23-24 October 2008