Archives: February 2008

A call for proposals under the eco-innovation strand of the new Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (one of the specific programmes under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme) is expected to be published in April 2008.

The objective of the eco-innovation strand is to make sustainable development become a business reality. Actions to be supported could include: supporting the take-up of environmental technologies and eco- innovative activities; co-investment in risk capital funds that provide equity for companies investing in eco-innovation; fostering eco-innovation networks and clusters, public-private partnerships in eco-innovation and developing innovative business services, facilitating or promoting eco-innovation; and promoting new and integrated approaches to eco-innovation in fields such as environmental management and the environmental-friendly design of products, processes and services. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme has a budget of EUR2.17 billion for the period 2007-2013. Further details at: http://ec.europa.eu/cip/eip_en.htm

The 2008 call for proposals for the LIFE+ programme is expected to be published in mid-July 2008.

With a budget of EUR2.143 billion (for the period 2007-2013), LIFE+ provides specific support for the development and implementation of environmental policy and legislation, in particular the objectives of the 6th Environmental Action Programme and its thematic strategies. It comprises three components: LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity; LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance and LIFE+ Information & Communication. At least 78% of LIFE+ will be for the co-financing of project action grants, of which at least 50% will be for nature and biodiversity projects. Over 700 applications were received for the first call for proposals (2007). These are now being evaluated with a view to signing the contracts by the end of the year. Further details at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm# First Contact point in Ireland: Mr Brian EARLEY, Sustainable Development Unit, Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, tel: +353 1 888 2486 e-mail: brian.earley@environ.ie