Archives: April 2007

The European Commission has published a call for proposals from national administrations competent in the field of tourism on the establishment of a procedure for the selection of national destinations of excellence.

All Member States, candidate and EFTA/EEA countries will have the opportunity to select one destination, which will then advance to a European-level award scheme to be organised by the Commission in 2008. The aim of the call is to draw attention to the value, diversity and shared characteristics of European tourist destinations and to promote destinations where the economic growth objective is pursued in a sustainable manner.

The theme of excellence for 2008 is, Tourism and Local Intangible Heritage. The aim is to reward destinations that have developed new tourism products based on the appreciation of local intangible heritage (such as local cuisine or gastronomy, arts or crafts, village and rural life, etc..). The total budget is € 700,000, with a maximum contribution of €35,000 per proposal. The deadline for submission is: 16 July 2007 Further details at: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/funding/grants/themes_2007/doc/0_EDEN_2007_call.pdf

The remaining deadlines for applications under the EUs Town Twinning Programme for 2007 are 1 June and 1 September 2007.

This call covers Town Twinning Citizens Meetings (TTCM), which can bring together citizens and citizens groups from twinned towns in order to reinforce the participants commitment to European integration. This can be promoted through discussions and debates on the future of the EU, or through sharing experience on the benefits of European integration. Further details at: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/citizenship/action1/towntwinning/funding_en.htm Contact point in Ireland: Imogen Sudbery, IPA: tel: 01 240 3702, e-mail: isudbery@ipa.ie

The first call for proposals under the new Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) programme was published on 17 April 2007.

The new IEE II programme will have three sub-programmes, focusing on three priority themes: SAVE (energy efficiency), ALTENER (renewable energy) and STEER (energy and transport). Support will be provided for activities aimed at promoting market transformations and creating a supportive environment, capacity building (training) and behavioral change. Support will also be provided for new local or regional energy agencies.

The budget for this call is EUR 52 million and EU funding of up to 75% is available (up from 50% in 2000-2006). It is expected that around 65 projects will receive funding and approximately 12 new local or regional energy agencies will be supported. An important change to the new programme is that applicants seeking support to establish energy agencies will not be required to have other EU partners. For all other projects, at least three partners in three different countries are required. The deadline for proposals is 28 September 2007.

Those considering applying for funding are advised to consult the 2007 work programme and the call for proposals, which are available at: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/call_for_proposals/index_en.htm An info day on the 2007 call will take place in Ireland on 4 May 2007 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dublin. For details, contact: Matthew Kennedy, Sustainable Energy Ireland. Tel: +353 1 8082070, e-mail: Matthew.Kennedy@sei.ie

The European Commission has launched a call for proposals aimed at promoting mutual awareness, understanding and cooperation between the EU and Asia, Latin America, the European Neighbourhood Region and Russia.

The 2007 call will specifically focus on actions relating to cooperation and development, local development and information activities. Eligible applicants include local and regional authorities and other local and regional bodies, working independently or as part of as wider partnership. The overall budget for this call is EUR 3.2 million. The total grant per project will be a minimum of EUR 650,000 and a maximum of EUR 800,000, with a cofinancing rate of between 50% and 90% of the total eligible costs. The deadline for the receipt of applications is 3 July 2007. Further details at: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/tender/data/d65/AOF75765.doc

The European Commission has launched the European eGovernment Awards 2007.

There are five categories for this years award: 1. Better public services for growth and jobs; 2. Participation and transparency; 3. Social impact and social cohesion; 4. Effective and efficient administration; and 5. The most inspiring Good Practice (initiatives that provide creative and inspirational solutions to common challenges), which will be selected by public vote. The awards are open to all public administrations in Europe (national, regional, local, etc.) that deliver eGovernment services. Submissions will be accepted from 1 April until 1 June 2007. Further details at: http://ec.europa.eu/egov

Information days on the forthcoming Intelligent Energy Europe 2007 call for proposals will be held in Brussels and in each Member State in the coming weeks.

The European Info Day will take place in Brussels on April 19, whilst the national Info Day in Ireland will take place in the Crown Plaza Hotel, Dublin on May 4. The events will provide information and advice on how to apply for IEE funding under the 2007 call (due to be published in mid-April), as well as presenting existing projects and explaining the broader policy context. About €55 million will be available under the new IEE II programme in 2007, to support European projects promoting energy efficiency and renewables, with EU cofinancing of up to 75%.

Further details at: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/events/infodays_en.htm or for information on the Irish event, contact: Matthew Kennedy, Sustainable Energy Ireland, tel: +353 1 8082070, e-mail: Matthew.Kennedy@sei.ie