Brussels, 15/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 12 November, the European Commission launched a public consultation (opened on 8 November 2010 and which will be closed on 4 May 2011), which will focus on what programme should succeed the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) for 2007-2013.
Public consultation on European funding for competitiveness and innovation is part of a wider impact analysis and reflection on the next EU multiannual post-2013 financial framework. The focus and objectives of the future programmes have not been decided but the consultation is expected to help devise a programme that will succeed the CIP and which is itself based around three programmes: - the programme for innovation and the spirit of enterprise, which aims to facilitate SMEs' access to venture capital funding and loan guarantees, provides services to SMEs involved in exporting, through the intermediary of the Enterprise Support Network and supports eco-innovation pilot projects; - the CIT support programme is aimed at promoting the provision of innovative and inter-operable services, by providing finance to pilot projects and network operations through incentives for novel products in areas of public interest such as CIT in the health services, ageing and social insertion, energy efficiency, smart mobility and the improvement of public services. Finally, the Smart Energy Programme for Europe helps towards obtaining the EU's climate targets by tackling non-technological obstacles and introducing sustainable energy through investment in sustainable energy at local and regional levels.
Stakeholders will identify new priorities during a conference at the end of January 2011. (E.H./transl.fl)