Brussels, 17/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on Friday, Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Damir Polancek signed a Memorandum of Understanding paving the way for Croatia's participation in “Intelligent Energy - Europe”, the EU programme to promote energy efficiency and the wider use of renewable energy sources. With a total budget of 250 million euro, the programme co-finances European projects, large-scale events and the creation of local or regional energy management agencies in areas such as buildings, industry, transport, urban areas, consumer products, power and heat generation, and cooperation with developing countries. Croatian organisations will now be able to submit applications under the next call for project proposals which will be published in May 2006.