Brussels, 01/08/2003 (Agence Europe) - On 1 August, the European Commission published a call for tender at the start of a new pilot project, “Regions and Knowledge”, with a budget of EUR 2.5 million in 2003. The project will support innovative projects involving regions from various mss and focussing on knowledge (in the sense of know-how, human resources, R&D and other intangible production factors) in the development of regional economies. Eligible projects will include technology audits, regional development of new economic and technological models, initiatives to encourage universities to intervene directly in the local economy, the mentoring of regions lagging behind by more technologically advanced regions, and awareness raising of the role of knowledge to stimulate regional development. The call for tender deadline is mid-September 2003. Applicant projects must involve participants from at least three current Member States. The call for tender is available from: http: //http://www.cordis.lu/era/knowreg.htm