Events to look out for
Public hearing on sustainable finance – 18 July 2017, Brussels (BE). This public hearing will allow stakeholders to provide feedback to the European Commission on barriers to and possible solutions for increasing sustainable finance, and ways to establish a more sustainable financial system.
Brokerage event during Texworld 2017 – 18-21 September 2017, Paris (FR). The next Business Beyond Borders (BBB) international matchmaking event will take place at Texworld, a leading textile and fashion trade fair. Registrations are open until 13 September.
Save the date: H2020 environment and resources Information Day – 8-9 November 2017, Brussels (BE).The event targets potential applicants to the 2018-2020 calls for project proposals under the Horizon 2020 Challenge 5 "Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials". Registration will open soon.
Funding available
EIB Group and Lendix join forces to step up financing for European businesses. The European Investment Bank Group (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF) have joined forces with the Lendix platform to increase crowdlending for European businesses. This has been done via a joint investment of EUR 18.5 million backed by the EIB Group. The fund will be entirely dedicated to the financing and development of French, Spanish and Italian SMEs, with the dual advantage of facilitating effective and successful crowdlending for retail investors as well as business leaders and project promoters looking for finance.
Juncker Plan: Additional EUR 100 million for Croatian SMEs. The European Investment Fund (EIF), Erste&Steiermärkische Bank d.d. and Erste&Steiermärkische S-Leasing have signed a guarantee agreement that will allow Erste to provide EUR 100 million of loans and leases to innovative small and medium-sized companies in Croatia.
EU policies for better business
EU and New Zealand agree a more secure and trade-friendly customs environment.The EU and New Zealand have signed an Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, an important step in strengthening EU-New Zealand relations. The agreement will benefit legitimate trade between the two parties and help to prevent, investigate and combat breaches of customs legislation.
European Commission takes further steps to make information on retail investment products more consumer-friendly. The Commission has adopted new guidelines that will further help providers and distributors of investment products, funds and investment-insurance policies design their Key Information Document (KID). These measures aim to make the complex investment environment more understandable for consumers, while increasing their protection along with their trust in the financial services industry.
EU and Japan announce agreement in principle on Economic Partnership Agreement. The EU and Japan have reached an agreement in principle on the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement. The Agreement will create new opportunities for European companies and jobs in many sectors and is the first to include a specific commitment to the Paris climate agreement. More information can be found in these infographics and factsheets.
Get involved
European Broadband Awards 2017. Are you involved in a project that is providing citizens with access to high-speed broadband internet? Apply for the European Broadband Award 2017.
NIR-VANA launches online learning platform on Open Innovation. The EU funded NIR-VANA project developed an online training platform that helps small businesses to learn more about opportunities in Open Innovation.
European Commission launches public consultation on EU consumer law. The consultation aims to gather opinions from consumers, businesses and associations on how to improve EU consumer law. Reply to the public consultation by 8 October.
Did you know?
In the EU, one in five businesses sells online and e-commerce makes up to 16% of their turnover, shows new Eurostat report. Learn more about digital economy in the EU.