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EU news and funding bulletin - 20 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.

ENIAC programme for research and development of Nanoelectronics. Deadline 6 May 2009 (Project outlines)and 3 September (Full proposals)

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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EU press releases

Agriculture: Commission completes pesticide review programme
Aviation: New Directive on airport charges
Consumers: Ombudsman presents new online interactive guide for complainants
Data protection: Parliament seeks to balance transparency with data protection
Economy: EU support to address the crisis in the automotive sector
Employment: EU to tackle gender pay gap
Energy: New eco-design legislation to phase out inefficient light bulbs
Environment: Commission opens CO2 emissions testing laboratory for buses and lorries
Environment: Call for action plan on sustainable consumption and production
Funding: Commission calls for increased funding for ICT research and innovation
Funding: Regional EU funding to boost investment in green technologies
ICT: Commission pushes ICT use to improve energy efficiency
Industry: New rules to reduce the energy use of industrial motors
Telecoms: Towards an agreement on lower data and SMS roaming charges

Read more EU press releases

EU legislation and consultations

Aviation:

New Directive on Airport Charges, EC legislation Directive 2009/12/EC provides a legal framework for setting airport charges. It reflects current commercial practices, but has not previously been addressed under Community law. Airport charges are paid by the users (airlines) to airport managing bodies (airports) used for airport services, such as ensuring the handling of aircraft from landing to take-off and of passengers and cargo. The new law will ensure transparency, non-discrimination and promote better dialogue between airlines and airports. The Directive applies to airports located in the EU that are above a minimum size, as the management and the funding of small airports are not necessary to cover in Community law.

Enterprise:

Effectiveness of Innovation Support in Europe, EC consultation The Commission has launched a public consultation on the effectiveness of public innovation support mechanisms in the EU. The objective is to find out which types of support would create the most impact on companies’ capacity to innovate. The consultation intends to highlight opportunities to improve the support and how best to do it. The first part of the consultation is a questionnaire directed towards companies, as they are potential beneficiaries of innovation support measures. Companies are welcome to give their views on the future design of innovation support policies. The second part of the consultation is directed towards institutional stakeholders. The results of the consultation will be summarised in a Commission Staff Working Document scheduled for publication in June 2009.

Financial services:

Amended Deposit Guarantee Scheme Directive, EC legislation The European Union aims to protect the depositors of all credit institutions and to safeguard the stability of the banking system as a whole. Deposit-guarantee schemes are in place to protect individual savers and will intervene as soon as deposits become unavailable. In the current financial crisis it is a priority to restore confidence in the financial sector. Coverage has therefore been improved by increasing the minimum coverage level from EUR 20 000 to EUR 50 000. The payout delay of three months currently provided for, which can be extended to nine months, will be reduced to a period of 20 working days and should only be extended under exceptional circumstances.

Financial services:

Consultation on Supervision of Financial Services, EC consultation A consultation has been launched on the improvement of supervision for the financial services sector. The Commission has proposed to create a supervisory system with stronger oversight at EU level and with an early warning body to identify and tackle risks. All financial services sector operators and their representative bodies, regulators, supervisors and other interested parties are welcome to submit comments on the proposals. Please note that the consultation period is shorter than normal and that the deadline for contributions is 10 April. A public hearing on financial sector supervision will be held in Brussels on 23 April 2009.

Internal market:

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.

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 complete 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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