EU Funding Programmes – Environment, Energy & Transport

Cláir Mhaoinithe an AE — Timpeallacht, Fuinneamh & Iompar

Intelligent Energy - Europe (EIE)

Programme Description

Intelligent Energy - Europe (EIE) is the European Community’s support programme for non-technological actions in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The programme was adopted in June 2003 and runs from 2003 to 2006. EIE supports EU policies in the field of energy as laid down in the Green Paper on Security of Energy Supply, the White Paper on Transport and other related Community legislation (including the Directives on renewable energy, energy performance of buildings and biofuels). The aim of EIE is to support sustainable development in the energy context, making a balanced contribution to achieving the general objectives of security energy supply, competitiveness, and environmental protection. The EIE programme is organised into four different fields or sub-programmes:

On 6 April 2005, the European Commission adopted a proposal for the continuation of the Intelligent Energy - Europe programme during the period 2007-2013, as part of a new Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP).

Eligible Activities

Projects supported in the framework of the EIE programme must be aimed at removing market barriers related to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. Generally actions supported are “promotional activities” in the very broad sense. Support under Intelligent Energy – Europe is given to four types of action:

  1.    General actions addressing, for example:
          - capacity building,
          - networking between market actors,
          - promotion, education and training,
          - pilot actions for market transformation, and
          - analyses to prepare standards, policies and regulations;

  2. Creation of new local and regional energy management agencies;

  3. Support to conferences and events;

  4. Concerted actions involving several EU Member States and participating countries for purposes of coordinating national measures.

In contrast to the 6th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6) the EIE programme does not support costs related to investments in technologies. Investment in hardware, or in equipment for demonstration purposes, is not eligible for support under the programme.

For all types of action, a true European dimension and effective dissemination of the results to stakeholders and other interested parties are two key conditions for receiving support. The Commission encourages integration of renewable energy and energy efficiency concepts within the same action, as well as the combination of different promotional tools. Adequate involvement of relevant market actors and links to other EU activities and national initiatives are also viewed favourably in assessing proposals.

The Commission publishes an Annual Work Programme, which details the annual priorities for EIE, the means of implementation and the estimated budget foreseen for its implementation. This work programme is generally available on the EIE website (see below) and gives specific information on the types of projects that can be expected to attract funding in any particular year.

 

Eligible Applicants

For general actions and for support to conferences and events, eligible applicants include public and private legal persons from EU, EEA and Candidate Countries. For the creation of new local and regional energy management agencies, only local or regional public authorities from EU, EEA and Candidate Countries are eligible to apply. Concerted actions refer to initiatives involving the Commission and national authorities in the EU, EEA and candidate countries.

General actions require the participation of three different organisation from three different countries. Actions concerning the creation of new local and regional energy management agencies require the participation of two different organisations from two different countries. Support actions for conferences and events require the participation of only one organisation (no partners are necessary). Eligibility may vary slightly from one call to the next and therefore, this should be checked in the relevant call for proposals.

Budgets and Rates of Funding

EIE grants are intended as incentives for carrying out an operation which could not be executed without Community financial support, and they reflect the principle of co-financing. The Commission therefore plans to grant only funds complementary to contributions made by the beneficiary, the national, regional or local authorities and other bodies. Accordingly, the amount granted will be up to 50% of the total eligible costs of the operation for actions under type 1 and type 2. For actions under type 3 the amount granted will be up to a maximum of €40,000 which may not be more than 50% of the total eligible costs of the operation. Contributions in kind are not regarded as eligible costs.

Applying for Funds

Proposals may only be submitted in response to an annual call for proposals published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The European Commission will publish the 2005 call for proposals towards the end of September 2005 and it will be open until early 2006. Most thematic areas of the Global Work Programme 2003-2006 will be open for proposals. Details of the annual call are generally set out in the Annual Work Programme. The annual calls, the work programme and all information needed to submit proposals, including a provisional calendar of forthcoming calls, can be found on the EIE website (see below).

Advance Preparation

For interested parties, it is advisable to begin preparatory work on a proposal in advance of the annual call. Activities which might be undertaken in advance of a call, include:

  1. Develop a thorough understanding of the policy context and the overall objectives of the programme

  2. Consult the Global and Annual Work Programmes to determine what are the areas of priority for a forthcoming call.

  3. Identify local projects and priorities that might fit within the objectives of an EIE call and clearly identify the added value of participating in the EIE programme.

  4. Identify and make initial contact with suitable transnational partners. A partner search facility is available on the website: http://www.managenergy.net/submenu/Sps.htm

Project Example

Carbery Housing Association, West Cork (Ireland)

Carbery Housing Association is a social housing association based in West Cork (Ireland). It is committed to building sustainable homes for persons who cannot afford to buy or rent in the open market. In 2002, CHA received funding from the European Commission's ALTENER II Programme to determine the feasibility of bio-climatic social housing for the region. The project was called RENEASE - "Renewable Energy Against Social Exclusion".

The project researched examples of good practice in Ireland and throughout European, set out criteria for bio-climatic design, reduction of energy consumption and viable renewable energy application, and other aspects of design sustainability, and made concrete proposals for developing a Pilot Project based on current government costs-limits for such developments. The Project was carried out from May 2002 to March 2003. Support Partners included Cork County Council Energy Agency, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Blackwater Resource and the REVES (Cities and Regions of the Social Economy) Network. The total budget for the project was €111,000. The EU contribution was €55,000.

The research and feasibility are now complete, and the Final Report, Outline Design Proposals and other material produced by RENEASE are available at: http://www.carberyha.utvinternet.com/renease.htm

Contacts for the Programme

SEI - Sustainable Energy Ireland
Glasnevin
Dublin 9
Ireland
Tel: +353 1 836 9080
Fax: +353 1 837 2848
Website: www.sei.ie


Contacts:
Mr. Kevin O'ROURKE, Head, Built Environment
Email: kevin.orourke@sei.ie


Mr. Peter BRABAZON, Head, Industry


Mr. Morgan BAZILIAN, Head, Renewable Energy
Email: morgan.bazilian@sei.ie


Mr. David TAYLOR, Chief Executive Officer
Email: david.taylor@sei.ie


Mr. Béatrice PRIJOT
Communications Assistant
European Commission
Intelligent Energy Executive Agency (IEEA)
Tel: +32 (0) 2 298 09 89
Fax: +32 (0) 2 292 18 92
E-mail: beatrice.prijot@cec.eu.int
Mail: European Commission; B-7 01/03, B-1049 Brussels
Office: Rue Belliard 7, Office 01/03, B-1040 Brussels
Web: http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy/intelligent/index_en.html

If you would like to be informed about news regarding the EIE programme please e-mail: tren-intelligentenergy@cec.eu.int mentioning "news" as subject.