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The 2008 call for proposals under the EU’s Competitiveness
and Innovation Programme for eco-innovation will be published
on 21 April - giving priority to projects focusing on materials
recycling, buildings, the food and drink industries, greener
businesses and smarter purchasing.
Under this programme, projects can secure co-financing for
up to 60% of their costs from a total budget of €28 million
allocated for the programme for this year.
The prime targets for funding are companies that have developed
a proven environmental product or service, but have been unable
to achieve market breakthrough. The programme is designed
to overcome barriers to further market penetration and to
turn these products and processes into Europe's future eco-innovation
successes.
Applications from SMEs are particularly encouraged. Priority
areas for projects relevant to the ECAP (the Environmental
Compliance Assistance Programme for SMEs) programme include
those covering co-operation and knowledge-sharing between
enterprises in the application of EMAS (the Eco-Management
and Audit Scheme); quality assurance systems that strengthen
eco-compliance - such as eco-design, eco-labelling and life-cycle
approaches and highly transferable practices, processes and
techniques that enhance the efficiency and sustainability
of SMEs.
An information day will be held on 8 May in Brussels to present
the eco-innovation call and the application process. The 2008
call for proposals will remain open until 11 September.
For more information -
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