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Home Programme to Promote Env. Technologies Competitiveness and eco-innovation

Eco-innovation
2008 – 2013

When entrepreneurship and the environment meet

he following invitation is meant for all companies that have developed new functional 'green' solutions that have not yet found a place on the market.
The EU proposal to finance eco-innovation is aimed at promoting innovative products, services and technologies that might lead to a better use of natural resources and help reduce the ecological footprint in Europe.
With the aim of bridging the gap between research and the market, the Framework Programme Competitiveness and Innovation (CIP) will facilitate the implementation of the Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP).

The purpose of this initiative is to support innovative solutions that contribute to environmental protection through a greater demand for 'green' technologies, managerial methodologies, products and services. The initiative is part of the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme and takes place between 2008 and 2013. Almost EUR 19 million will be available for projects supporting eco-innovation in Europe.

The CIP is divided into three programmes:
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP)
The ICT Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP)
Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE)

What will be financed?

Innovative and environmentally friendly projects from the following areas:

Material recycling: better sorting processes, innovative recycling products, new recycling solutions, new markets for recycling products, the development of new recycling and innovative products that use recycled materials.

Sustainable buildings and structures: innovative products as part of the construction industry, the production of sustainable and innovative construction materials, technologies and products, better use of recycling materials and renewable resources in construction, new technologies for water handling and saving.

Production processes in the food industry: cleaner production and packaging processes focused on the higher efficiency of resources, waste reduction and increased recirculation and renewal, more efficient waste management processes; priority will be given to those branches that have substantial environmental impacts such as the milk and meat processing industries.

Green and smart shopping: helping stores make their processes and production greener and integrate eco-innovative technologies into the supply chain and green shopping.

Who is the initiative aimed at?

The CIP is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of European enterprises. Together with small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the main target groups, the programme also supports innovation activities (including eco-innovation), provides better access to financial resources and serves to promote entrepreneurship in regions.
This helps increase the acceptance and use of information and communication technologies and helps develop the information society. It also promotes the increased use of renewable energy resources and energy intensity.

What is the programme good for?

• Promote the spreading of innovative technologies and technological procedures on the market
• Helps bridge the gap between research and business
• Helps overcome remaining obstacles on the market that currently prevent the success of eco-innovative products and services, especially in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Europe

Who can apply?

Even though preferred beneficiaries are SMEs, the invitation is open to all legal entities in one of the following countries:

• The 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway
• Albania, Croatia, the former Yugoslavia and Macedonia, Israel, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey
• Other states that do not belong to the EU but meet the required criteria

What is the deadline for applications?

The deadline for submitting applications is 5 pm, 10 September 2009.

Where to look for help?

Before applying, visit the eco-innovation website in order to find out whether your project meets the criteria:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eco-innovation/index_en.htm and then fill the form via www.epss-fp7.org