Archives: May 2011

Specific support is being provided by DG Enterprise & Industry for actions that will focus on enabling traditional manufacturing and process industries covered by the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to maintain their competitiveness while coping with the challenges of a low carbon economy. The Sustainable Industry Low Carbon scheme (SILC) announced on 26 May is a ''short-term innovation measure'' within the Competitiveness & Innovation (CIP) Framework Programme.

The objective of the financing is the development and deployment of innovative measures of 12-24 months duration leading to a demonstrable and quantifiable reduction of specific Greenhouse Gas emission intensities in an eligible energy-intensive industry sector covered by the ETS Directive. The projects are to be carried out by consortia of industrial stakeholders, possibly in partnership with public or private organisations.

Measures may be technological (e.g. achieving the use of alternative fuels; joint energy or waste recovery systems development projects between industrial stakeholders and technology providers and/or research institutions) or non-technological (e.g. deployment of best practice approaches based on mapping of options for process improvements in companies; development and deployment of a model how companies could get access to alternative forms of finance) in nature.

Two further calls for proposals for short-term SILC projects are expected to be published in 2012 and 2013 respectively. The second phase of SILC (2014-2020) will concentrate on deploying mid- to longer- term innovation measures which spur further progress and possible breakthrough solutions, requiring further validation steps prior to their full-scale industrial implementation.

Budget: EUR2.85 million (up to EUR0.95 million per project) at 75% EU co-financing. Deadline: 30 August
Further details

A Call for Proposals specifically targeting Employment Services has been published under the PROGRESS employment and social solidarity programme. The PROGRESS-PARES (PARtnerships between Employment Services) Call is intended to deliver new, complementary and high-quality forms of collaboration between public, private and third sector employment services.

Actions to be financed (at up to an 80% rate) should combine the development and delivery of specific services (with measurable pre-defined outcomes) to the end users along with the provision of analytical and methodological findings related to the success and failure of the partnership experienced between the co-operating partners in pioneering the services.

Projects should involve training providers, NGOs, or welfare institutions. Up to 5 projects are expected to benefit from the EUR1.5 million available budget.

Deadline: 17 August
Further details

On 12 May, the Commission's DG Enterprise & Industry published its 2011 'Sustainable Tourism' Preparatory Action call for proposals aiming to fund projects that enhance the visibility of transnational thematic tourism products including (physical or virtual) trails, routes or itineraries. Projects will ideally be aimed at promoting cooperation and exchange of best practice between Member States to create a favourable environment for sustainable and responsible tourism. Partnerships require a minimum of four partners covering at least four European countries.

The following objectives are being focused on to stimulate competitive and high-quality European tourism:
- Raising awareness of the contribution of different cultures to a common European identity, through the understanding of shared history and common values on the basis of its tangible, intangible and natural heritage;
- Promoting cultural tourism as a factor for sustainable economic development, European citizenship and intercultural dialogue;
- Promoting sustainable and responsible tourism;
- Strengthening the capacity of tourism operators and small enterprises in remote and less known destinations to reach out to new publics (exchange of experience, networking and clustering efforts).

Among the shared tourism themes or linkages which this call might apply to are cycling routes, greenways, protected natural sites, cultural heritage, historical references, food and drink, health and wellbeing, education, sport, rural matters and maritime issues. 4-6 projects of up to 12 months’ duration are likely to be funded to the tune of approximately EUR100,000 each. The maximum EU co-financing rate is 75%.

Deadline: 1 July
Further details

On 3 May the 2011 Call for Proposals under the Preparatory Action for Sport was published. This initiative will support transnational projects put forward by public bodies or not-for-profit organisations in order to identify and test suitable networks and good practices in the following areas:
• prevention of and fight against violence and intolerance in sport;
• promoting innovative approaches to strengthen the organisation of sport in Europe.
The main objective of the Preparatory Action is to prepare future EU instruments in the field of sport, on the basis of priorities set in the 2007 White Paper on Sport and the 2011 Communication on Developing the European Dimension in Sport. Applications should use this as a basis.

Deadline: 29 July
Further details

A set of Calls for Proposals under the EU's employment and social solidarity programme (PROGRESS) were published in late April. The programme supports studies and awareness campaigns on relevant subjects, and provides financial support for policy practitioners, expert networks and NGOs fighting social exclusion and discrimination.

''Anti-discrimination and diversity -Action Grants 2011'' will support national activities aimed at combating discrimination (ethnic origin, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation) and promoting equality. Funded actions may include developing instruments to improve knowledge on key concepts (e.g. equality impact assessment); policy design including mainstreaming efforts; identifying transferrable best practice particularly relating to the Roma; and information campaigns.
Budget: Up to EUR250,000 per project (80% co-financing)
Deadline: 15 June
Further details

Two further Calls under the Working Conditions sub-programme have also been launched:

* ''Actions for Cooperation and Information on Social Security Coordination'' aims to develop capacities among institutions in this field (including NGOs) by transnational cooperation and improving public information on associated rights and obligations attached to the free movement of persons across the EU. National electronic data exchange (EESSI) initiatives may also be supported.
Budget: Up to EUR200,000 per project (80% co-financing)
Deadline: 31 May

*''Restructuring, well-being at work and financial participation'' is intended to support the promotion of exchanges of information concerning occupational health and well-being during employment restructuring processes with a view to promoting the financial participation of workers. Priority will be granted to projects to support or promote the creation or activation of partnerships for the anticipation, preparation or responsible management of restructuring.
Deadline: 14 June

Further details

On 4 April, the Commission's Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion launched a public consultation on a post-2013 successor to PROGRESS. Stakeholder are asked to provide their insights on the current programme and suggestions regarding the design, added value, objectives, actions, budget and delivery of a successor instrument.

Deadline: 27 May
Consultation

The 2011 Call for Proposals for the Eco-Innovation Programme (within the CIP Programme for industry competitiveness) was published on 27 April. This year's priority themes are:
• Materials recycling
• Sustainable building products
• Food and drink sector
• Water
• Greening businesses

The programme aims to support the uptake of new manufacturing processes, products or services, and management and business methods that are likely to prevent or reduce the effects of negative environmental impacts or which contribute to the optimal use of resources. Although priority will be given to SMEs and private beneficiaries, the call may also be of interest to enterprise-support organisations. Clusters of applicants and projects which demonstrate a European added value and have a high potential for market replication are strongly encouraged.

Video footage and presentations from the programme's recent information day in Brussels are available online. A budget of EUR36 million (50% grant rate) is available.

Deadline: 8 September
Further details