Commission proposes one programming tool for all structural funds European Commission - Press release Commission proposes one programming tool for all structural funds Brussels, 14 March 2012 - Following the Cohesion Policy proposals of 6th October, and in order to help Member States with their preparations for the next programming period the Commission has today presented the "Common Strategic Framework" (CSF). Today's overview elaborates on the Framework's investment priorities and key actions for programmes which will be supported, not only through the Cohesion and Structural Funds,1 but also through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn, stated: "The Commission is committed to increasing the coherence between our policy goals and investment on the ground, and setting out how the Funds can work together with the common goal of achieving smart and sustainable growth for all of Europe's citizens". More information: What will be in the CSF?
Home page - Innovation Union 24 April 2014 ONE Conference Brussels 2014: Policies (R)Evolution and Every European Digital, Brussels The Future has begun. The new programming period brings new investment budgets for Member States, seeking synergies between Regional Policy and Horizon 2020 in order to maximise the innovation opportunities. The ONE Conference is facilitating the joint effort of EU partners to build links between information networks and ICT Observatories for reaching ambitious common objectives of Europe 2020.
FP7 9 July 2012 FP7: the future of European Union research policy As part of a €10.8 billion budget for research and innovation agreed for 2013, the European Commission has announced an €8.1 billion euro package of calls for proposals under the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7). This is the final and largest ever package of FP7 calls, and is an important part of the Commission’s commitment to work for growth and jobs in Europe. The budget and work programme are agreed in 2012 and funding will be awarded in 2013 – closing dates for proposals from September 2012.The calls address key concerns faced by Europeans where action at EU level is essential. €4.8 billion will be invested in thematic areas, with specific priorities to preserve oceans and water, better use of raw materials, efficient energy, promote efficiency in the processing of biological resources, develop smart cities and tackle issues such as public sector reform, brain research and anti-microbial resistance.
Academies reject Horizon 2020 pledge on social sciences The European Alliance for the Social Sciences and Humanities (ALLEA) has rejected the European Commission’s view that social sciences and humanities are adequately covered in the European Union’s proposed Horizon 2020 research programme. It calls for an added dimension to be established on "understanding Europe in a global context – transitions towards innovative and inclusive societies". Europe’s research ministers have already argued that social sciences and humanities should be given a more prominent role in Horizon 2020, the next European Union framework programme for 2014-20. Commission plans would make Horizon 2020 the world’s largest publicly financed research programme with a proposed budget of €80 billion (US$105 billion). ALLEA said that this is not enough to meet the demands of the 25,000 scientists who have signed a petition for giving these disciplines a separate programme in Horizon 2020. She said.
Competitive Automotive Regulatory System for the 21st century - Automotive - Enterprise and Industry As part of the Commission's modern industrial policy, the CARS 21 (Competitive Automotive Regulatory System for the 21st century) process, which was initially launched in 2005, aims to make recommendations for the short-, medium-, and long-term public policy and regulatory framework of the European automotive industry. This framework enhances global competitiveness and employment, while sustaining further progress in safety and environmental performance at a price affordable to the consumer. Background At the end of 2010, the Commission decided to re-launch the CARS 21 High Level Group, which was originally set-up in 2005, as a follow-up of the Commission Communication "European strategy on clean and energy-efficient vehicles", adopted on 28 April 2010. The Group included seven Commissioners, nine Member State representatives, and a broad and balanced group of stakeholders (including industry representatives and NGOs), and adopted its Final Report [903 KB] on 6 June 2012.
NETWATCH: Platform on ERA-NETs and transnational R&D programme collaboration Automotive - Enterprise and Industry 1) To strengthen the competitiveness of the automotive industry The aim is to identify and assess policy issues of significant importance to the competitiveness of the EU automotive industry and to suggest solutions that take into consideration economic, social and environmental objectives. 2) To complete, adapt and simplify the Internal Market regulatory framework The work on improving the Internal Market is built upon the introduction of the EC Whole Vehicle Type-Approval System which allows manufacturers to have a vehicle "type" approved in one Member State and then be able to market the vehicle in all other Member States without further tests. 3) To promote globalisation of the technical regulatory framework through UNECE Global technical harmonisation is a key factor in strengthening the competitiveness of the European automotive industry world-wide. Less
The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies El Instituto de Prospectiva Tecnológica (IPTS) es uno de los siete institutos de investigación del Centro Común de Investigación de la Comisión Europea. El IPTS tiene su sede en Sevilla, España. Desde el año 1994 el IPTS promueve una mejor comprensión de la relación entre tecnología, economía y sociedad. La misión del IPTS consiste en proporcionar apoyo científico y técnico para la formulación de políticas comunitarias que entrañen una dimensión tanto socioeconómica como científico-tecnológica. Los estudios llevados al cabo por el IPTS son solicitados principalmente por otras Direcciones Generales de la Comision Europea. En los últimos años se han desarrollado también diversos trabajos para el Parlamento Europeo. El IPTS colabora con otros institutos del Centro Común de Investigación y diferentes organismos europeos. El trabajo científico se estructura en cuatro grandes áreas:
Cars: EU emissions laws Press release - December 2, 2011 Brussels - The European car industry has been hit by infighting and has failed to agree a unified position on an upcoming EU law regarding vehicle emissions, claimed Greenpeace today. The chief executives of Europe’s biggest car companies gathered for a meeting to decide their lobbying position on the future of EU car efficiency standards this morning. But in a Brussels press conference they told reporters they could not reach an agreement. Volkswagen has been stalling EU laws to reduce the impact cars have on the climate and make them more fuel efficient Greenpeace climate campaigner Sara Ayech said: “The more progressive car companies must be furious with Volkswagen, who are dragging their feet and trying to stall. Greenpeace campaigners dressed in Star Wars Stormtrooper outfits were outside the car industry meeting today, carrying signs reading ‘car lobby meeting this way’.
Conference "Enhancing innovation and the delivery of research in EU agriculture" (Brussels, 07/03/2012) - Agriculture and rural development Fostering research, knowledge transfer and innovation in the agricultural sector is vital for improving productivity, sustainability and competitiveness. This conference marked an important step in the discussions on the ways to enhance innovation and the translation of research results in the farming sector, as outlined in the CAP reform legislative proposals adopted by the Commission on 12 October 2011. The objective of the conference was to discuss the main building blocks of EU support to research and innovation for the agricultural sector after 2013. After setting the stage of agricultural research and learning from recent experiences, the conference strived to highlight the critical aspects necessary for research to impact the agricultural sector. In particular, the role played by networks, advisory services, education and other actors in the translation of research results and in fostering innovative approaches were investigated. The conference brought together: Programme
EU biofuels significantly harming food production in developing countries | Environment EU companies have taken millions of acres of land out of food production in Africa, central America and Asia to grow biofuels for transport, according to development campaigners. The consequences of European biofuel targets, said the report by ActionAid, could be up to 100 million more hungry people, increased food prices and landlessness. The report says the 2008 decision by EU countries to obtain 10% of all transport fuels from biofuels by 2020 is proving disastrous for poor countries. Developing countries are expected to grow nearly two-thirds of the jatropha, sugar cane and palm oil crops that are mostly used for biofuels. "To meet the EU 10% target, the total land area directly required to grow industrial biofuels in developing countries could reach 17.5m hectares, over half the size of Italy. Additional land will also be required in developed nations, displacing food and animal feed crops onto land in new areas, often in developing countries," says the report.