European Union News - Research & Innovation

The Official Journal of the European Union has published on April 20th 2009, a Call for proposals for actions in the field of eco-innovation under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), which will be funded with up to 30 million Euro. Closing date for applications is September 10th 2009.

EuropeAid published last April 11tb a bid to improve hydrologic practices in the Mediterranean water.

The European Commission has adopted an initiative introducing new and tougher targets for the payment of EU funds which it manages directly. The proposals aim to step up ongoing efforts and speed up cash flow to beneficiaries, and will apply to €15 billion of funds that have specific payment times covering areas like research, education and youth, energy and transport.

Although the European Union is the world leader in research and technological development in aquaculture and brings to the planet about half of all the consumed fish, that position has not been reflected in an increase in production compared to what has happened in other parts of the world. The Commission therefore intends to relaunch the sector by presenting a new strategy to provide a new impetus and promote sustainable growth.

The European Commission (EC) has awarded for 18.089.698 euros the development of the external audit external audit of contractors financed by the European Commission under the 6th framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2002 to 2006) according to the Official Journal.

Notice has been published in the OJEU on April 2nd 2009, of the launch of a call for proposals for Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). KICs will be highly integrated, creative partnerships including education, technology, research, business and entrepreneurship that will produce new innovations and new innovation models and inspire others to emulate them.

The Council of the European Union has decided to extend for five years over the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation signed between the EU and United States in 1998. This is the second renewal of this agreement, which will continue in force until 2013.

The European Commission adopted on March 31st the 2009 Work Programme of the Intelligent Energy-Europe (IEE) Programme aiming at co-financing non-technology projects to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean transport. This Work Programme will be jointly operated with the European Investment Bank. The objective of the IEE Programme is to support sustainable development and to contribute to the achievement of the general goals of environmental protection, security of supply and competitiveness.

The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, has criticised the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) for not respecting the principle of the presumption of innocence in an investigation. This follows a complaint from a British consultant, who argued that letters which OLAF had sent to his former and current employers implied that he was responsible for serious irregularities in the framework of EU funded projects in which he was involved, seriously damaging his reputation.

ince Council Regulation (EC) Nº 40/94 of December 20th 1993 on the Community trade mark has been substantially amended several times, the Commission has considered necessary, for the sake of clarity and rationality to be consolidated. For that reason Council has issued Regulation (EC) Nº 207/2009 of February 26th 2009, with the codified version on the Community trade mark.