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EPN Consulting is an energetic business offering Consultancy in several areas, an Innovative Network of Professionals and a vibrant Business Hub to clients throughout the UK and Europe.
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Dear Subscriber,
Welcome to the March 2013 issue of the EPN Consulting Newsletter that is received by over 1,700 selected professionals in Europe. As you know the economic situation in Europe is still not satisfactory and a few days ago also the UK - which is not in the Eurozone - was downgraded from AAA to Aa1 by Moody's. The economic crisis, started in 2008, is being lasting for much a longer period than expected and some questions come to everybody's mind. As a matter of fact, on 19 Feb 2013 Mr Olli Rehn, Vice-President of the European Commission and member of the Commission responsible for Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Euro made a speech:
Closely related to this, some days earlier there were problems in the European Council about agreeing on the Multiannual Financial Framework budget, which we described more in details below in this newsletter.
After some debates on the 08 Feb 2013 the European Council reached the agreement on the MFF, which lays down the EU's budgetary priorities for the years 2014-2020. This is a good news as it has a direct impact on the budget allocation to R&I activities envisaged in the Horizon 2020 research framework. In February 2013 some new calls for proposals were launched and the most popular are ARTEMIS and LIFE+ 2013. In May 2013 it is expected the publication of the Eco-Innovation call, whereas on the 08 May 2013 the Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) call will close. For those of you who are interested in ICT, please remember the FP7 ICT-11 call is still open (deadline 16 Apr 2013) as well as the CIP ICT-PSP call (deadline 14 May 2013). Many other calls for proposals are closing in March and April 2013. Visit the relevant section in this newsletter and you will see how many funding opportunities are still open. If you need help in finding partners and/or writing a good-quality proposal, EPN Consulting is happy to receive your requests and design a bespoke service for you.
We remind you the new EPN Consulting Sponsorship Scheme that has been carefully designed to help you acquire/increase your professional visibility in Europe and boost your business. Contact us to know which benefits you will generate by applying to this scheme. EPN Consulting provides assistance to public and private organisations as well as Universities and Research Centres that would like to see their ideas converted in a sound proposal to be submitted.
EPN Consulting is also an ideal partner for your project consortium as we have got a lot of experience in dealing with EC projects. Contact us to know more about how we can help you.
If some of you are already involved in European projects and would like to publicise your progress, contact us and you will be impressed by the range of opportunities that are waiting for you. The EPN Consulting is not only a consulting firm but also a vibrant Network of Professionals that generates a lot of excellent know-how. If you are not a member yet, don't wait any longer and join us: a number of exclusive services are waiting for you. The EU Accession Countries enjoy a fantastic 50%-discount on membership fees until 31 Dec 2013! The EPN Consulting membership fees in GBP will be kept unchanged until 31 Dec 2013 whilst those in EUR may be revised quarterly.
Have you missed some of the previous issues of the EPN Consulting Newsletter? You can find all of them online here. Finally, if you are already an EPN Consulting Member, please remember our Member-Get-Member campaign: if you introduce a new member both of you will receive a discount on your membership fees! As this newsletter is also published on LinkedIn and Twitter, our Members gain immense visibility within and beyond Europe! We wish you an exciting March!
This EPN Consulting Newsletter is delivered to your mailbox to inform you about EPN Consulting news, events, business opportunities, happening in Europe.
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You receive this newsletter because you have been in touch with EPN Consulting or its CEO.
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FP7 & other Calls shortly expiring
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EC Tenders & Grants shortly expiring
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New Calls recently published
During last month the following new calls were launched.
- 19 Feb 2013 - LIFE+ 2013 (deadline 25 June 2013)
If you would like to be advised on how to prepare and submit project proposals within the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) and/or other Programmes (i.e. Competitiveness and Innovation Programme-CIP), EPN Consulting is the right consultancy to choose. Visit the EU Projects Consultancy for more information. Would you like to know more about what an EU project is like? Attend one the tailored training courses that EPN Consulting organises for its clients. Visit the Training courses and Seminars section. Notice: EPN Consulting Members enjoy discounts on EU projects assistance as well as up to a fantastic 20%-discount on Training Courses packages.Join us!
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EPN Consulting helps you prepare sound FP7 and CIP projects proposals! Book your place to learn how to improve your chances of success!
EPN Consulting organises "INTRODUCTION TO EUROPEAN PROJECTS" Courses to help you understand strengths and weaknesses of your ideas and how they can fit in the relevant Calls of interest. Theses courses are very flexible (No. of Students, Course Duration and Course Locations) to help you get the best out of it.
Learning now topics and funding schemes of the FP7 and CIP frameworks will set up the right mindset to understand the new Horizon 2020 framework due to start on 1st Jan 2014. Hurry up!
EPN Consulting Members receive up to 20% discount on training courses!
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EUROSTARS call for proposals closes on 04 April 2013
Eurostars aims to stimulate R&D performing SMEs to lead international collaborative research and innovation projects by easing access to support and funding.
It is fine-tuned to focus on the needs of SMEs, and specifically targets the development of new products, processes and services and the access to transnational and international markets. More than 70% of the applicants of the Eurostars projects are R&D SMEs and SMEs. There are some eligibility criteria to comply with in order to apply in the Eurostars Programme. This is a summary of the different criteria: - The project must meet the EUREKA criteria: it can address any technology but must have a civilian purpose and be aimed at the development of a new product, process or service.
- The leading SME must be a R&D performing SME
- All the SMEs must fulfill the EU-adopted definition of an SME
- The leading SME must be based in Eurostars member state
- There has to be at least one other participant from a Eurostars country
- The R&D performing SMEs must undertake 50% of total project cost
- No partner or country is performing more than 75% of project total cost
- The project duration is <= 3 years
- Market introduction is foreseen within 2 years after project end
If you are an SME with at least 10% of your turnover generated by R&D activities, you could apply. Although the EC intends to continue with this initiative in 2014 with Eurostars2 (as published in the EPN Newsletter No. 30), please note that this is the only call for proposal for 2013. More information is available here.
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The 2013 CIVITAS FORUM will be in Brest (France)
 The 11th edition of the annual CIVITAS FORUM Conference will take place between 30 Sept and 02 Oct 2013 in Brest, the main metropolitan centre of Western Brittany.
The CIVITAS FORUM 2013 is an event that will continue its mission of supporting cities to introduce ambitious transport measures and policies towards sustainable urban mobility. The Brest conference will be the 11th edition of the forum, placing this city alongside several quarters of Europe including Vitoria-Gasteiz, Funchal, Malm�, Krakow, Bologna, Kaunas, Burgos, Nantes, Rotterdam and Graz.
Although the series started in 2003, this will be the first time ever that the annual CIVITAS forum is hosted by a non-demonstration city, eager to present its achievements in terms of sustainable urban mobility to the CIVITAS community.
More information on this event is available here. More information on the CIVITAS Initiative is available here.
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EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) Negotiations
The deal reached at the European Council limits the maximum possible expenditure for a European Union of 28 Member States (Croatia is expected to join the EU on
01 July 2013) to EUR 959.99 Billion (this and all other figures are given in 2011 prices) in commitments, corresponding to 1.0% of the EU's Gross National Income (GNI).
This means that the overall expenditure ceiling has been reduced by 3.4% in real terms, compared to the current MFF (2007-2013). This is to reflect the consolidation of public finances at national level.
This is the first time that the overall expenditure limit of a MFF has been reduced compared to the previous MFF. The ceiling for overall payments has been set at EUR 908.40 Billion, compared to EUR 942.78 Billion in the MFF 2007-2013. - 08 February 2013: Conclusions of the European Council (Multiannual Financial Framework) ( EUCO 37/13)
- 15 February 2013: Herman Van Rompuy President of the European Council: A budget for the future ( PCE EUCO 40/13) The budget of the next multiannual programme Horizon 2020 (2014-2020) for Research and Innovation (R&I) depends on these decisions! The 10 things you need to know to follow the MFF negotiations. The 2 tracks of the MFF negotiations are explained here. The rules for the adoption of the MFF package are available here. An interesting animation of the MFF negotiating box is available here. More info and figures regarding the 2007-2013 and 2014-2020 MFF budgets are available here.
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R&I: President Barroso announces creation of a Science and Technology Advisory Council
Brussels, 27 Feb 2013 - The President of the European Commission, Jos� Manuel Barroso, announced the creation of a Science and Technology Advisory Council. This informal advisory body held its first meeting today in Brussels. President Barroso said: "Science and innovation are key drivers for European competitiveness, economic growth and the creation of new jobs. This Advisory Council will focus on science and technology related topics that are of cross-cutting nature, with a clear societal dimension. It will identify the issues of value where science, research and innovation can contribute to support future development in Europe". The Science and Technology Advisory Council is an independent and informal group of outstanding science and technology experts from academia, business and civil society, covering a broad range of disciplines and uniting expertise from across the European Research Area. The main aim of the Council is to provide advice directly to the President on how to create the proper environment for innovation by shaping a European society that embraces science, technology and engineering. In particular, the Council will advise on the opportunities and risks stemming from scientific and technological progress. It will also advise on how to communicate these in order to foster an informed societal debate and ensure that Europe does not "miss the boat" and remains a global leader in cutting-edge technologies. More info is available here.
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To Expand Your Business apply now to the EPN Consulting Sponsorship Scheme
Increasing the visibility of businesses is vital to companies willing to see their turnover grow. It is now possible to implement this ambitious plan by applying to the EPN Consulting Sponsorship Scheme.
There are four Sponsorship packages (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum) that include the publication of your corporate logo on this monthly Newsletter.
By choosing a richer package you can also publish one or more editorials on the newsletter as well as advertise events/workshops you will organise also on the EPN Consulting website (News and/or Events Sections).
With the Platinum package your visibility will be further increased with more features available including the publication of news about your activities on the EPN Consulting CEO Twitter and Linked accounts.
You can choose to subscribe to this service for 6 or 12 months (renewals will be properly rewarded!) and pay either in British Pounds or in Euros. Don't miss this opportunity: start the 2013 with an effective strategy of communication: EPN Consulting is happy to advise on the best package for you.
EPN Consulting Members enjoy discounts that grow proportionally with their membership package.
More details of the EPN Consulting Sponsorship Scheme are available here.
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Next Professional Events happening in Europe
There are fantastic business opportunities for you: if you buy one of the Sponsorship packages you could sponsor one or more events or even have your logo on the top page of the Events Section (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze packages available). Please drop us an email if interested and we will provide you with all information. Notice: EPN Consulting Members enjoy up to 20% discount on sponsoring packages. Join us! |
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The Website of the Month: EPIA
This month EPN Consulting has chosen the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA).
EPIA is the most powerful voice of photovoltaics (PV) in Europe with Members active along the whole solar PV value chain: from silicon, cells and module production to systems development and PV electricity generation as well as marketing and sales. EPIA's mission is to give its global membership a distinct and effective voice in the European market, especially in the EU.
To carry out its mission, EPIA:
- Represents its Members towards European policymakers and moves the debate on issues related to the PV industry and renewable energy in general
- Develops targeted business intelligence on markets, industry and technologies, keeping its Members and external stakeholders informed and up-to-date on the PV industry
- Communicates the benefits of PV to key stakeholders - including EU decision makers & opinion leaders, the PV sector and the general public
- Organises Thematic Working Groups (WG) supporting EPIA activities and reflecting its Members' interests: Policy WG; Communications WG; Sustainable Development WG; National Associations Task Force
- The association also takes part in several European Projects addressing issues of strategic importance for the growth of the whole PV industry
Finally, EPIA benefits from strong Partnerships and Alliances: EPIA is a founding Member of the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC), the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), and PV CYCLE. EPIA is also Member of the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power System Programme (IEA-PVPS) and the European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources (EUFORES). It coordinates the European Photovoltaic Technology Platform and develops partnerships at national level with national associations and agencies.
http://www.epia.org/
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The EPN Consulting's Core Values
INDEPENDENT
to provide you with industry-unbiased solutions
EXPERIENCED
to quickly understand your problems and design bespoke solutions
FLEXIBLE
to meet all your requirements
TRUSTWORTHY
to allow you carry out your day-to-day business with peace of mind
CLIENT-ORIENTED
to exceed your expectations
INNOVATION-DRIVEN
to provide you with brand-new solutions
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Do you know that EPN Consulting Members with ULTIMATE package could receive an additional newsletter entirely tailored on their needs? Choose or Update to the EPN Consulting ULTIMATE package to receive bespoke information!
Please contact us for any question about becoming an EPN Consulting Member, proposing business offers, informing us on your business specialties, et cetera.
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Kind Regards,
Stefano Mainero
Founder, CEO
EPN Consulting Limited
London, UK
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