Archives: March 2010

On 23 March two calls for proposals were launched under the MEDIA programme in support of the audiovisual sector. EUR1.5 million will be available for pilot projects lasting up to 12 months which promote innovative initiatives on adapting this programme to market developments, with a particular emphasis on the introduction and use of information and communication technologies. The following topics may be considered:
* Distribution: new ways of creating and distributing European audiovisual content via non linear services.
* Open Media Production Environment.
* Distribution - Promotion & Marketing: the use of web techniques to develop local Cinema Communities.
* 'Junction Media Portal': to widen and improve the access and the exploitation of structured information of European audiovisual content.
*Previously funded MEDIA Pilot Project Actions

Deadline: 14 June
Further details

Separately, EUR7 million will be available to finance projects of up to 18 months duration supporting Video on Demand and Digital Cinema Distribution schemes. EU co-financing will cover up to 50% of the project eligible costs.

Deadline 21 June
Further details

The 2010 call for proposals of the Intelligent Energy Europe programme was published along expected lines (see this previous article) on 23 March. This covers all 3 strands on energy efficiency in buildings and consumer behaviour (SAVE), clean transportation (STEER), and renewable including in construction and using biofuels (ALTENER)
as well as 'integrated initiatives' for large-scale networking and capacity building initiatives among local authorities; capacity
building and best practice exchanges between experienced and learning local authorities; and strengthening capacities for financing intelligent energy in housing.

Evaluation criteria will include links to achieving targets in line with the recently unveiled Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, green and inclusive growth (see this previous article). Selected projects are expected to start their work in spring 2011.

Deadline: 24 June
Further details

On 22 March the European Commission published a call for proposals aimed at financing transnational projects supporting the implementation of lifelong learning strategies and raising awareness of European co-operation in education and training.

The call covers not only national activities for the development and implementation of strategies and policies (e.g. awareness-raising activities, establishment of fora, etc) but also transnational cooperation and exchange of good practices (e.g. through the creation of networks) in the development and implementation of national and regional lifelong learning strategies.

The total budget available for this call is EUR2.8 million at a 75% grant rate for eligible project costs.

Deadline: 16 July
Further details

The 2010 annual Work Programme for grants in the field of trans-European energy infrastructure networks (TEN-E) is emphasising projects of European interest that contribute to:
a) The development of the network to strengthen economic and social cohesion by reducing the isolation of the less-favoured and island regions;
b) The optimisation of network capacity and the integration of the internal energy market, in particular concerning cross-border sections;
c) The security of energy supply and diversification of sources;
d) The development and connection of renewable energy resources; and
e) The safety, reliability and interoperability of interconnected networks.

Priority is to be given to applications relating to a set of pre-listed TEN-E electricity and gas projects. Among this list are a number of potential projects relating directly to Ireland: the development of various energy link interconnector infrastructures with Northern Ireland (theoretically including a possible cross-border gas network extension into the North West), Scotland and Wales; the Corrib Field gas pipeline; underground natural gas storage; the Tynagh-Cashla power line in Co. Galway; and the Flagford (Co. Roscommon)-East Sligo power line.

Applications must be submitted either through one or (jointly) several Member States or public or private undertakings or bodies with the agreement of the Member State(s) directly concerned. A budget allocation of EUR20.76 million is being made available.

Deadline: 30 April
Further details

Action grants for transnational projects are available under the combined 2009/2010 call of the Daphne III programme to prevent and combat violence against children, young people and women and to protect victims and groups at risk. While public bodies at national level are not eligible for funding, those operating regionally/locally may apply.

Projects must address one of the following priorities:
-Street and peer violence - Identification of best practices, education initiatives and campaigns involving young people on this issues and related lifestyle factors (e.g. drug and alcohol abuse and weapon-carrying);
- Media violence - Targeted educational activities designed to increase understanding of the potentially negative impacts of new technologies;
- Corporal punishment of children - awareness-raising and educational materials;
- Intimate partner violence - Training and exchange of law enforcement agents and legal practitioners;
- Grassroots field work to involve and empower children, young people and/or women in particular programmes - possibly including training, counselling, support group mechanisms and innovative ideas for developing a protective environment.

Grants totaling EUR29 million are available and are to range between EUR75,000 and EUR300,000 for 12-month projects or double these amounts for 24-month projects. The intervention rate is up to 80% of overall eligible project cost. Projects should begin in the first half of 2011.

Deadline: 30 April
Further details

The IEE Programme organised its annual Information Day in Brussels on 3 February where the 2010 Work Programme was unveiled. As well as the familiar energy efficiency (SAVE), transport (STEER), and renewables (ALTERNER) focuses, local energy issues are being given a renewed emphasis this year as part of the 'Integrated Initiatives' component of the programme.

EUR6.7 million is being set aside for 'Local Energy Leadership' actions to support large-scale networking and capacity-building activities among national and international networks of local authorities to improve the stakeholder participation (including elected representatives) in local sustainable energy policy implementation.

Alternatively, local authorities with poorly-development levels of expertise in local energy actions may engage in direct exchange (e.g. one-to-one mentoring) and meaningful capacity-building with more experienced counterpart authorities. The objective should be to operationally institutionalise sustainable energy policies and implement adopted Sustainable Energy Action Plans. Links between old and new Europe are encouraged.

The programme authorities stressed that short to-the-point actions may be acceptable including some minor applied research but that the development of tools and guidelines would no longer be supported as ample examples of these are already available for adaptation. They also underlined that the indicators by which applications would be judged will relate to numbers of local authority staff and target groups concretely impacted by capacity-building or networking activities as well as long-term local level effects arising: jobs created/secured in the energy sector; CO2 reductions; renewable energy capacity installation; and energy savings achieved.

Support will also be available towards the development and implementation of tailor-made long-term financial schemes to improve the energy performance of existing housing. These mechanisms should utilise the possibility of channeling up to 4% of the national ERDF allocation (from the Regional Structural Fund programmes) and operate by combining subsidies and loan arrangements based on public and private resources.

The annual call is expected over the course of the spring with a June deadline
More information

The Drug Prevention and Information programme has published its combined calls for proposals for 2009/2010 transnational actions. Five themes are available for support:

(a) Exchange of information and dissemination of good practices in drug-demand reduction (e.g. interventions based on interactive teaching, conflict handling, coping skills; e-health intervention models for early detection, self-management and brief interventions; targeted preventive and treatment approaches; innovative reintegration and rehabilitation approaches preventing relapse; selective prevention approaches targeted at vulnerable high risk groups);
(b) Raising awareness of the health and social problems caused by drug use or which influence drug consumption - innovative targeting of young people integrated with prevention activities plus information and advice to enlist parents/family support;
(c) Support measures aimed at preventing drug use, including by addressing reduction of drug-related harm (e.g. emergency services training for staff working in recreational settings) and better use of informed treatment methods;
(d) Cooperation at local and/or regional level between public services and civil society (voluntary organisations and service providers) in the implementation of the EU Drug Strategy and Action Plans on Drugs 2005-2008 and 2009-2012;
(e) Monitoring, implementation and evaluation at local, regional and national levels of specific policy and programme actions under the Action Plans on Drugs

EUR4.2 million is available under the call with grants set to range from EUR75,000 to EUR500,000 per project at a maximum rate of 80% of overall costs. Eligible activities include joint programmes, studies, exchange of best practice, training, study visits, staff exchanges, and seminars. Projects will begin in the first half of 2011 and last 12-24 months.

Deadline: 28 April.
Further details

EUREKA's Eurostars - the European research and development programme specifically dedicated to SMEs - has recently announced a new call. The aim of the programme is to ease access to funding and support for SMEs with the potential to lead international collaborative research and technological innovation projects centred on developing, and bringing towards the market, new products, processes or services which are of benefit to society.

Deadline: 30 September.
Further details