30/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 30 July, the European Commission launched the first round of calls for public partnerships in research in three key areas to help stimulate the recovery: manufacturing industry, construction and the car sector. €268 million will be released under the following European Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Factories of the Future; Energy-efficient Buildings and Green Cars. These three partnerships are part of the European Economic Recovery Plan created by the Commission and approved by the European Council last December. The plan aims to promote convergence between public interest and involvement of the private sector in research (EUROPE 9441). In total, €3.2bn has been allocated for these three PPP for 2010-13. Further information: http: //cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm (B.C./transl.rh)