The European Commission has launched a new online tool for easy access to the results and details of EU-funded projects in the fields of education, culture, youth and citizenship. EVE (Espace Virtuel d'Échange) was officially presented by European Commissioner Ján Figel' on March 2nd at a conference and exhibition on creative and innovative projects funded by the EU.

The new platform EVE (Espace Virtuel d'Échange) is freely accessible online and contains detailed information on projects funded under the EU's action programmes in education, culture, youth and citizenship.

Cutting the virtual ribbon at the launch of EVE, Ján Figel', the European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, stressed the fact that “with EVE, it will be easier for project-managers to learn from the successes of the past. The information is structured in such a way that the results can be adapted and transferred to new contexts. EVE will allow project promoters to establish networks and will give their projects more visibility."

"Creativity and Innovation conference and exhibition - Best practice from European Union programmes"

EVE was launched during the celebration of the conference on creativity and innovation in EU-funded projects, where participants discussed ways of ensuring the best possible results and long-term impact for EU-funded projects. The theme of the event was chosen in line with the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009.

Workshops focussed on:

• Creativity and innovation in lifelong learning
• Links between creativity and innovation and entrepreneurship
• Cultural awareness and creative partnerships.

Participants stressed that the EU can create crucial European added value by acting as a facilitator in several ways: by giving financial support in initial project phases where risk-taking is a major concern, by providing supporting structures that allow projects to concentrate on their core objectives, or by creating brands such as the European capitals of culture as a means of recognition.

In order to reap the benefits of EU-funded projects, the debates concluded that project results and experiences need to be carefully examined for their potential to be transferred to other contexts. Participants appreciated the cross-sectoral approach of the conference, since it reflected the benefits of linking people from very diverse sectors, backgrounds and environments in innovative project partnerships, or, as one panellist put it, by bringing together people with pressing real-world needs with actors from more traditional learning contexts, research and academia.