Events to look out for
Horizon 2020 Info Days:
Energy info days – 23-25 October, Brussels (BE). The Horizon 2020 Energy Info Days present the new funding opportunities offered by the Energy Work Programme 2018-2020. The event will be structured by themes across three days. Registrations are open now.
Info day on Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency & Raw Materials – 8-9 November, Brussels (BE). This information day includes a brokerage event and targets potential applicants to the upcoming calls for project proposals under the Horizon 2020 Challenge 5. Registrations are open now.
Webinar – Getting Smart on IP: How to Protect your IP in China and South-East Asia in the smart technologies sector – 27 September, 10:00 CET. This webinar will provide practical advice to small European businesses engaged in the smart technologies sector on how to protect their intellectual property in China and South-East Asia.
Save the Date – Raw Materials Week 2017 – 6-10 November, Brussels (BE). This week-long event organised by the European Commission is a great opportunity to discuss and exchange on relevant policy issues, technology cooperation and framework conditions in the field of raw materials.
Info day on European Maritime and Fisheries Fund – 9 November, Brussels (BE). A new "Sustainable blue economy call" with a total budget exceeding €14 million will be published under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund by the end of October 2017. More details about the call and guidelines on how to apply will be presented at this information day. Registrations are open now.
Funding available
European Investment Fund invests €20 million in Irish SMEs. The European Investment Fund (EIF) is investing €20 million in ACT Venture Capital’s latest fund, ACT V, in Ireland. The agreement will allow ACT V to finance around 30 high potential early and expansion stage companies in the ICT sector in the coming decade. This investment is done in partnership with the EU's competitiveness programme for small businesses (COSME).
EU policies for better business
NEW EU Industrial Policy Strategy: Investing in a smart, innovative and sustainable industry. Last week, the European Commission launched a renewed Industrial Policy Strategy. This new strategy brings together all (existing and new) horizontal and sector-specific initiatives into a comprehensive document. The strategy announces new initiatives in the areas of circular economy, mobility, intellectual property, public procurement, skills and sustainable finance, in addition to the proposals on trade, investment screening, cybersecurity and data. A summary of the main new elements can be found online. Two factsheets are available here and here.
Taxation: European Commission sets out path towards fair taxation of the Digital Economy. The European Commission launched a new EU agenda to ensure that the digital economy is taxed in a fair and growth-friendly way. The Communication adopted last week sets out the challenges Member States currently face when acting on this issue and outlines possible solutions to be explored.
European Commission acts to prevent mis-selling of insurance products. The European Commission has adopted new rules to protect consumers when they buy insurance products in the EU. These new rules on product oversight and governance will for the first time oblige insurers to prioritise the interest of consumers when designing, developing and distributing all insurance products from 2018 onwards.
EU-Canada trade agreement (CETA) enters into force. The CETA Agreement officially entered into force on the 21 September 2017.