Brussels, 13/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission intends to give a boost to EU companies, particularly small ones, that want to position themselves on the market for innovative environmentally performing products, services and processes. A call for proposals worth €35 million was launched on Tuesday 13 April for eco-innovation projects in the framework of the competitive innovation programme (CIP). Submissions should be sent in to the Commission by 9 September at the latest.
The call is addressed particularly to SMEs and cover materials, sustainable construction materials, food and drink, as well as ecological trade activities. “This call for innovative projects is a tremendous opportunity for Europe's entrepreneurial talent to showcase new ideas to reduce our ecological footprint. The CIP Eco-Innovation programme shows that helping the environment makes good business sense…” explained Janez Potoènik, the European commissioner for the environment, in a press release.
The call is addressed particularly to SMEs that have developed a green product, process or service that is technically proven but is still struggling to find its place in the market. The call offers direct co-financing with grants that cover up to 50% of the total project cost. The €35 million funds available for the 2010 call are expected to bring to life between 45 and 50 new projects.
The projects are selected on the basis of their innovative approach, their market replication potential and their contribution to European environmental policies, especially in terms of resource efficiency.
The Commission explains that with a total budget of around €200 million over the period 2008-2013, CIP Eco-innovation supports the first application and further market uptake of sustainable solutions that make better use of Europe's natural resources. CIP Eco-innovation is a green strand of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and a dynamic contributor to the Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP).
Documents on the call for proposals can be found online at: http: //ec.europa.eu/environment/eco-innovation/application_en.htm (A.N./transl.fl)