One step closer to the set-up of the European Fund for Strategic Investment
Media releaseOne step closer to the set-up of the European Fund for Strategic Investment29 April 2015On 29 April the European Parliament and the Council held their second political meeting to discuss the legislative proposal on the set up of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) that intends to bring an additional 315 billion euro in investments for jobs and growth.
Accelerated pre-financing for the Youth Employment Initiative: Questions and Answers
Why increase the pre-financing rate?
Commission identifies the infrastructure priorities and investment needs for the Trans-European Transport Network until 2030
The European Commission has published
Commission announces winners of European Business Awards for the Environment 2014-2015
EU Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella announced the winners of the European Business Awards for the Environment 2014-15 at an evening ceremony last night.
Investment Plan for Europe: what are the investment needs for transport?
Speech by Violeta Bulc, EU Commissioner for TransportCommittee on Transport and Tourism, European ParliamentMister Chair, Honourable members, Ladies and gentlemenThis is a real pleasure to be here with you this morning.
Q&A on the "Partnership Agreements" between the European Commission and the EU Member States on European Structural and Investment Fund investments for 2014-2020
A new set of rules and legislation governing the 2014-2020 round of EU investments came into force in December 2013.
EU invests €647 million in key energy infrastructure
Member States agreed to allocate €647 million to support key priority infrastructure projects.
Turkey joins COSME, the EU’s programme for SME financing
Today, Turkey and the European Commission signed an agreement for Turkey to join the EU's Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Programme (COSME).
Delivering EU cohesion policy reform: regions and cities concerned by delays and rules
The Committee of the Regions Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy (COTER) met jointly with the European Parliament's Committee on Regional Development (REGI) to discuss problems and opportunities emerging from the implementation of the reform of EU regional policy adopted last year.
What is the EU Youth Guarantee?
How serious a problem is youth unemployment and inactivity in the EU?
Investment made by regions and cities to match EU structural funds should be excluded from the Growth and Stability Pact calculations
The Bureau of the Committee of the Regions adopted a declaration in Turin on 12 September urging European institutions and national governments to ensure the full mobilisation of EU cohesion policy investment by excluding national and regional co-financing from the deficit calculations under the Growth and Stability Pact.
Youth Guarantee: progress and achievements of 18 pilot projects
he European Commission is meeting with the coordinators of 18
EU project hunts for natural substitutes to synthetics
The EU-funded AGROCOS project is foraging through the plant world for natural substitutes to synthetic ingredients currently used in cosmetics, and in agrochemical products such as insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.
Commissioner Piebalgs signs Development programmes for 21 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries
European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, and representatives from 21 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, have co-signed the National Indicative Programmes (NIP) under the 11thEuropean Development Fund for the period 2014-2020 in Apia (Samoa), for a total amount of €339 million.
Nominate your favourite European Web Entrepreneur for a europioneers Award
Who will become this year’s most successful European Web Entrepreneur?
EU to provide new funding to counter organised crime and drug trafficking
The European Commission will provide additional funding for the Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP) to disrupt the illegal networks that are disseminating drugs and other illicit products through smarter, more effective, well-connected and intelligence led counter-narcotic activities of participating airports.
EU project helps monitor the environment around you
Do you want to track how much ozone, black carbon and other pollutants you are exposed to when out cycling or walking?
Transport: EU supports key TEN-T infrastructure projects with over €320 million
In the last Calls of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) Programme the European Commission selected a total of 106 projects that will benefit from over €320 million in EU support for improving transport infrastructure across Europe.
155 small firms to receive funding in first wave of grants under EU SME Instrument
The European Commission today announces the first results of its new €3 billion SME Instrument, launched under Horizon 2020 to help innovative small firms get ideas from the lab to the market.
Energy efficiency, employment and SMEs are core focus of EU 2014-2020 Cohesion Policy says new Commission report
The European Commission's 6th Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion published today shows that EU Cohesion Policy is delivering on the growth goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy by creating jobs and reducing disparities across Europe.
First Horizon 2020 Work Programme update – launch of FTI and innovation prizes
The adoption today of the
COSME: the European Commission and the European Investment Fund sign agreement which will boost funding opportunities for SMEs
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe will soon have access to up to € 25 bn of additional finance, as a result of an agreement signed today between the European Commission and the European Investment Fund (EIF).
Budget problems: EU programmes in jeopardy again
The EU must stop rolling over its growing portfolio of unpaid bills from one year to the next, said MEPs in Wednesday’s debate on the alarming shortage of funds for payments due in 2014.
Public-private partnerships under Horizon 2020: launch of activities and first calls
Public-private partnerships under Horizon 2020: launch of activities and first callsSeven public-private partnerships, established under the EU's new research funding programme Horizon 2020, are being launched today.
EU announces significant new funding for education
New funding to support education in developing countries over the next seven years, through the Global Partnership for Education, (or GPE), was today announced by European Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs.
Commission adopts ‘Partnership Agreements’ with Baltic States for EU Structural and Investment Funds, 2014-20
he European Commission has adopted the "Partnership Agreements" with the Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia) setting down the strategy for the optimal use of European Structural and Investment Funds to benefit the countries' regions and people.
Urban transport: Commission awards funding to 19 European actions to get people to "do the right mix"
The European Commission has announced today 19 actions which will receive funding under the Sustainable Urban Mobility campaign ‘
EU, Israel sign Horizon 2020 association agreement
European Commission’s President José Manuel Barroso and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today witnessed the signature of Israel's association to Horizon 2020, the new EU research and innovation programme.
Health and safety at work: Strategic Framework sets out EU objectives for 2014-2020
To better protect the more than 217 million workers in the EU from work-related accidents and diseases, the European Commission presented today a newStrategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2014 – 2020,which identifies key challenges and strategic objectives for health and safety at work and presents key actions and instruments to address these.
Turkey joins Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
Turkey will get full access to the European Union's new seven year research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020, under an agreement signed today in Istanbul.
Youth Employment Initiative: Commission adopts first programme with France to use €620 million to tackle unemployment
The European Commission has adopted today the first Operational Programme with France to use the available funding from the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) to tackle youth unemployment.
European Citizens' Initiative: European Commission replies to 'One of Us' – Q&A
What was the request of the ECI 'One of Us'?
Amending the Budget to cover research, education, support to businesses and Cohesion Policy
The Commission is proposing to increase the 2014 level of payment appropriations by EUR 4.
Fighting Fraud: Hercule III Work Programme adopted
Today the European Commission adopted the first annual work programme for the new anti-fraud programme Hercule III.
European Commission adopts ‘Partnership Agreement’ with Germany on using EU Structural and Investment Funds for growth and jobs in 2014-2020
The European Commission has adopted a "Partnership Agreement" with Germany setting down the strategy for the optimal use of European Structural and Investment Funds in the country's regions and cities.
European Commission adopts ‘Partnership Agreement’ with Greece on using EU Structural and Investment Funds for growth and jobs in 2014-2020
The European Commission has adopted a "Partnership Agreement" with Greece setting down the strategy for the optimal use of European Structural and Investment Funds in the country's regions and citiesfor 2014-2020.
European Commission adopts ‘Partnership Agreement’ with Poland on using EU Structural and Investment Funds for growth and jobs in 2014-2020
The European Commission has adopted a "Partnership Agreement" with Poland setting down the strategy for the optimal use of European Structural and Investment Funds in the country's regions, cities and people.
Three projects meet the European Job Challenge and receive the Social Innovation Prize
Social innovation can be a tool to create new or better jobs, while giving an answer to pressing challenges faced by Europe.
First Natura 2000 Award winners announced
The winners of the first Natura 2000 Awards were announced at a ceremony in Brussels last night.
€60 million of EU Regional Fund investments to complete Poland-Lithuania power link for energy security and Europe
The European Commission has today approved an investment of €60 million from the European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF) to complete the construction of the electrical grid between Poland and Lithuania.
Blue Economy Innovation: examples of EU marine research
The European Commission today set out proposals to support "Innovation in the Blue Economy" (see
All 2013 LIFE projects
Belgium (BE) 4 projects (28,7 million euros)Bulgaria (BG) 1 project (0,5 million)Czech Republic (CZ) 1 project (0,6 million)Denmark (DK) 2 projects (4.
Memorandum of Understanding on Macro-Financial Assistance Programme for Ukraine signed
European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas today signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the new €1 billion Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) loan programme to Ukraine, which was approved by the EU Council of Ministers on 14 April.
From sunlight to jet fuel: EU project makes first "solar" kerosene
The four-year SOLAR-JET project was launched in June 2011 and is receiving €2.
€ 23 million EU support to promote agricultural products in the European Union and in third countries
The European Commission has approved 20 programmes to promote agricultural products in the European Union and in third countries.
Q&A on the "Partnership Agreements" between the European Commission and the EU Member States on European Structural and Investment Fund investments for 2014-2020
On 22 December 2013 a new set of rules and legislation governing the next round of EU investments for 2014-2020 came into force.
Boosting the competitiveness of SMEs, facilitating their access to financing
Improving the competitiveness of European SMEs and, in particular, facilitating their access to financing was the focal point of discussions at the Informal Meeting of EU Ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy, which was hosted by the Ministry of Development and Competitiveness in Athens on 24-25 April.
New EU support to renewable energy and fighting climate change in the Pacific
European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, and New Zealand Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, will undertake a joint mission to the Pacific on 23-27 April to further strengthen development cooperation in that region.
EU Solidarity Fund: Commission welcomes Parliament’s approval of a faster and simpler response to disasters
Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn has welcomed the European Parliament's vote today to endorse reform of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF), strengthening the EU’s response to natural disasters across European regions.
Low carbon energy projects to benefit from EUR 2 billion funding
The European Investment Bank is pleased to support future investment in low-carbon demonstration projects.
RegioStars 2014: top awards for Europe
The Award categories for 2014 are:Smart Growth–SME Innovation;Sustainable Growth - Green growth and jobs through bio-economy;Inclusive Growth - Creating jobs for the younger generation;CityStar - Investment projects in sustainable urban public transport.
New EU programme to strengthen land governance in ten African countries
A new programme worth €33 million to improve land governance and help improve the food and nutrition security of family farmers and vulnerable communities in Sub Saharan Africa, was announced today by Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs.
Speech by President Barroso: "Youth Guarantee: Making it Happen"
The European Commission decided to organise something more focused, precisely to see where we are, what we should do more, how we can speed up our work, involving the stakeholders, involving you, the national experts, involving the national organisations.
The EU launches a new project to fight falsified medicines in developing countries
Ahead of World Health Day on April 7, the European Union has launched a new project which will support the fight against the production and the trafficking in falsified medicines in Cameroon, Ghana, Jordan, Morocco and Senegal, which are situated along two of the main routes for the production and trafficking in falsified medicines (from Arabian Peninsula and Middle East to West/Central Africa; from East/Horn of Africa, via Yemen and Sudan, to Central Africa).
Communication on crowdfunding in the European Union - Frequently Asked Questions
What is crowdfunding?
The Human Brain Project just got bigger
One of the biggest EU-funded initiatives, the Human Brain Project (HBP), today announced the beneficiaries of its €8.
EU renews its commitment towards development in Asia
EU Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs will today announce over €6.
Poverty: new Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived - frequently asked questions
Poverty: new Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived - frequently asked questions.
Youth employment: Commission welcomes adoption of Quality Framework to improve quality of traineeships
The European Commission welcomes today's adoption by the EU's Council of Minister of a Quality Framework on Traineeships to enable trainees to acquire high-quality work experience under safe and fair conditions, and to increase their chances of finding a good quality job.
EP adopts European Earth Observation programme Copernicus
The European Commission welcomed today's vote of the European Parliament on the Copernicus Regulation.
Final "simplification scoreboard": 120 measures to cut red tape on EU funding
The Commission has adopted its Final Simplification Scoreboard: over 120 measures to simplify the EU funding rules for Europe's businesses, towns, regions, scientists and NGOs.
EU Aid Volunteers to be deployed to tackle humanitarian needs
“EU Aid Volunteers” will be deployed to tackle specific humanitarian needs in crises under draft legislation approved by the MEPs on Tuesday.
Poverty in Europe: helping those who most need it
Aid for Europe`s poorest people has been secured until 2020 after the Parliament approved a deal with the Council on the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived.
Youth unemployment: putting words into action
The EU launched a youth guarantee scheme to help the more than five million young Europeans who are out of work.
€85 million EU cash for online safety projects; six projects already helping to keep you safe online
Funding is available now for cyber security under the Commission`s Horizon 2020 research programme.
EUR 200 million loan for renewable energy and energy efficiency in India
The European Investment Bank is providing a long-term loan of EUR200 million to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) to help finance projects in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector in the country.
Budget 2014 adjustments to facilitate SMEs access to EU funding
The Commission has proposed technical adjustments to the 2014 EU budget to reflect the latest decisions on the new EU expenditure programmes.
EIB Group: Strong response to crisis
19 February 2014 – As an integral part of the European Union’s response to the crisis, the EIB Group significantly stepped up its financial support in 2013 to promote growth and jobs in Europe.
LIFE needs design and implementation improvements, say EU Auditors
A report published today by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) calls on the EU Commission to increase the effectiveness of the LIFE programme by improving the dissemination and replication of successful environmental projects.
Water innovation in action: €50 million for new research projects
A summary of the 11 resource-efficiency research projects.
First ever “Jobs for Youth” financing for SMEs in Poland
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending EUR 50 million to Europejski Fundusz Leasingowy S.
EBRD, EIB and EU finance improvements to water services in Moldova
€59 million in loans to modernise water and waste water management in Chisinau.
EIB and INTESA SANPAOLO provide €240 million to promote youth employment in SMEs, innovative start-ups and social projects
First loan agreement targeting youth employment signed in Italy.
EIB and UBI Banca Group provide €350 million for SMEs, midcaps, start-ups and youth employment
The signing of a credit linefosteringyouth employmentbrings the number of mediumto long-termlending agreementsin support of Italian firmsconcluded by the European Investment Bank (EIB)and the UBIBancaGroupin the past three monthsto three – for a total amount of €350 million.
European Social Fund: conference to promote more effective and efficient implementation in 2014-2020
To ensure an efficient and effective use of the more than €70 billion (more than €80 billion in current prices) available to Member States from the
New opportunities to work with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) launches a selection process today to set up two new Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), with partners from higher education, research and business.
Erasmus+ to boost student exchanges and partnerships between EU and Latin America
Students and academic staff from Latin America will have more opportunities to study or train in European universities thanks to increased support from Erasmus+, the new European funding programme for education, training, sport and youth.
New project financed by EIB in the sector of energy for €205 million
Today, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a loan agreement for an amount of €205 million to finance ElShababpower plant project.
State aid: Commission consults on draft Communication on State aid to promote Important Projects of Common European Interest
The European Commission is consulting the public on a draft communication on how Member States can support the execution of Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs).
Employment: Commission proposes to improve EURES job search network
The panEuropean job search network EURES would be strengthened to provide more job offers.
State aid: Commission approves amendments to a UK scheme financing small and medium enterprises
he European Commission has found several amendments to a UK scheme allowing publicly-backed funds to invest in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) affected by a market failure, to be in line with EU state aid rules.
Commission sets out an action plan to support the development of blue energy
Commissioners Maria Damanaki and Günther Oettinger today presented a new action plan to facilitate the further development of the renewable ocean energy sector in Europe.
Serbia: EUR 150 million for SMEs
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia have signed in Belgrade a EUR 150 million loan aiming at financing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and otherinfrastructure projects.
Further EU support for southern Neighbourhood to boost socio-economic development
The European Union (EU) has recently adopted an assistance package worth €45 million to support development and cooperation with a number of southern Neighbourhood partner countries.