Archives: July 2010

On 20 July, as part of a set of 51 separate Seventh Framework Research & Development calls for proposals, the 2011 Regions of Knowledge (RoK) call was published.

The objective of RoK is to strengthen research potential by networking and integrating regional research actors and institutions into corresponding with the realities of the regional economy and its needs. In particular it will support analysis and implementation of activities by regional research-driven clusters and networks built on the 'triple helix' approach which brings together sets of universities/research centres, companies and regional/local authorities with a role in economic development and/or research and innovation policy. Transnational cooperation between different regions is a central requirement with efforts to mentor less developed regions being especially welcomed.

Under this call, proposals should relate specifically to boosting the competitiveness of the transport-related economy by supporting the innovative capacity of industries and businesses, through the development of green intermodal regional transport systems, urban mobility and safety and security.

A budget of €18.66 million has been set aside.

The key theme for next year’s RoK call has also been outlined as sustainable energy. Potential bids for this will have an additional 12 months to work on their applications.

Deadline: 9 December
Further details
Contact: imelda.lambkin@enterprise-ireland.com

The PRO INNO Europe initiative within the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) contributes to fostering closer transnational cooperation between innovation policy makers and public support organisations at different levels with a view to contributing to the development of new and improved policies and instruments. This call relates specifically to eco-innovation (strand 4) and aims to establish a consortium to expand the knowledge base on the role to be played by public policies and actors in that field

The core aim of the call is for a single consortium of relevant actors from 3-7 EU Member States to work closely together to analyse latest eco-innovation policy developments and to identify, raise awareness and extend the concrete deployment of highly promising, innovation-friendly approaches in fields such as recycling and Green Public Procurement. This should particularly relate to developing wide partnerships involving consumers and citizens and by promoting cooperation between stakeholders.

The value of the call is EUR3 million for up to 36 months with an EU financial contribution of up to 95%.

Further details

Applicants' Guide

The financial crisis has caused widespread problems with the provision of 'match funding' from national public finances to complement promised EU Structural Funds. In many cases this has meant severe delays in programmes' spending to schedule which if left unaddressed would ultimately lead to the loss of EU support. In response the Commission completed the process of gaining European Parliament and Council agreement in June to bring forward a set of new measures to simplify management rules in order to facilitate access to funding and to accelerate investment spending.

The agreed simplification measures as applicable to the Regional Operational Programmes, European Social Fund (national Human Capital Programme) and various Interreg programmes are:
* Postponing 'N+2 decommitment' rules - whereby funds committed in 2007 would normally have had to be spent by 2009 or else be automatically returned to the EU budge - in order to allow for longer-term perspectives;
* Allowing major projects to be financed by more than one programme: e.g. across/between both Irish regions on a shared rather than as separate operations;
* A simplified procedure for the revision of programmes to allow for quicker adaptation to the current challenges;
* Enhancing the use of financial engineering approaches, i.e. using funds to set up loan schemes to boost spending on housing energy issues;
* Simplifying the rules on 'revenue-generating' projects;
* Extending the cost threshold below which Member States may proceed with major projects without seeking Commission approval - thereby allowing for speedier start-ups;
* Restricting the obligation to maintain investments beyond the funding period.

These modifications came into effect on 25 June and are intended to complement the large number of other initiatives which have been taken since the beginning of the crisis under the European Economic Recovery Plan.

Further details