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SEPCo Document Library |
    
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- EU Institutions and Instruments
- Cooperation Between the EU and Latin America
- European Programmes
- German Funding Possibilities
3. European Programmes
3.1. EuropeAid
To implement external cooperation policy between the EU and international regions, the EuropeAid Office realises regional horizontal programmes for:
ACP: Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Countries,
MEDA: Mediterranean Region,
ALA: Asia and Latin America,
CARDs: Balkan countries (formerly PHARE/OBNOVA),
TACIS: New Independent States and Mongolia.
In addition, the EuropeAid Office also manages policies by sectors, such as education and transport. The internet-page of EuropeAid is:
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/la/prog/index.htm
Since 1976, the EU has been implementing a financial and technical aid programmes for the developing countries in Latin America and Asia, the EU-ALA cooperation with the overall objectives to:
Strengthen the relationship between the EU and its Asian and Latin American partners,
Contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development,
Contribute to prosperity, security and stability.
In 2002, the first multi-annual regional cooperation programme - the ALA programme - started to be implemented with the aim of establishing a strategic partnership with Asia and Latin America. This indicative multi-annual programme makes it possible to draw up annual action plans, improve the effectiveness of aid, and better link up with national reform programmes to ensure complementarities with assistance of other donors. For each region, there are two budget lines covering 1. the financial and technical cooperation, and 2. other cooperation, like support of NGOs, democracy, and antipersonal landmines.
For Latin America, the aim is to support regional integration, to increase the competitiveness of Latin American enterprises in international markets and to facilitate the transfer of know-how. A number of decentralised programmes have been adopted to provide economic assistance:
AL-INVEST (2004-2006)
intends to help SMEs operate internationally by encouraging European companies to invest in Latin American enterprises seeking such co-operation,
alfa (America Latina - Formación Académica) (2000-2005)
focuses on the promotion of co-operation in higher education between both regions,
URB-AL (2002-2006)
establishes direct and lasting links between European and Latin American cities,
@lis (2002-2006)
was established in 2002, aims to promote the benefits of using information technologies and tries to bridge the gap of the digital divide,
Alßan (2002-2005)
was launched in May 2002, aims at the reinforcement of the European Union - Latin America co-operation in the area of Higher Education and covers studies for postgraduates as well as higher training for Latin American professionals/future decision-makers, in institutions or centres in the European Union. A budget of 40 million is available for the period of 2002-2005,
ATLAS (2000-2004)
facilitates and encourages economic co-operation between Europe and Latin America through a network of Chambers of Commerce and Industry. It is managed by Eurochambers,
ALURE (1998-2004)
optimal and most rational use of energy
the programme is in its final phase and there will be no more opportunity to participate.
For further information please visit the homepage of the External Relations DG
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/la/index.htm
The tender and proposal search tool of the EuropeAid Cooperation Office is available on:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/cgi/frame12.pl
In the context of renewable energies and energy efficiency in Latin America, AL-INVEST, ALFA, and Alßan could present funding possibilities.
AL-INVEST
AL-INVEST is currently the main EU-LA economic cooperation mechanism. Basically, a network of operators form Europe and Latin America cooperate on organising sectoral meetings between Latin American and European companies working in the same sector. The meetings also comprise the arrangement of face-to-face meetings to ease the establishment of cooperation. Normally, the sectoral meetings last two days and are held during corresponding specialist trade fairs.
Benefits for the participating companies can be the establishment of distribution agreements, joint-ventures, transfer of most advanced technology, information on the market and cooperation possibilities etc. The meetings are open to business people of all sectors. Participating companies need to pay their travel and accommodation expenses. Organisational costs are covered by the Commission.
The programme covers the period of 2004 to 2006 with an overall budget of 43 million. The restriction of the programme, especially in the context of renewable energy and energy efficiency activities, is the fact that the companies have low influence on the thematic areas and participation is linked to the "programme/agenda" offered.
However, there is the possibility to become an operator, which could be a possibility to realise a sectoral meeting in the area of renewable energy/energy efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to check the calls for proposals of the EuropeAid Office.
Homepage of the AL-INVEST programme
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/projects/al-invest/index_en.htm
alfa
ALFA (América Latina - Formación Académica) is a programme of co-operation between higher education institutions of the European Union and Latin America. Goal are:
to create or strengthen the links between higher education institutions by enhancing the dialogue between the academic communities of both continents,
to create systematic and sustainable mechanisms of co-operation between those involved in higher education in Europe and Latin America, in order to encourage the establishment of mechanisms for mobility between the two continents and at regional level in Latin America.
The ALFA programme is implemented through networks of higher education institutions. These networks are the only entities that may present project proposals to the European Commission within the ALFA programme.
Network partners are:
Higher Education Institutions that have been formally recognised as such in their respective countries,
Other institutions: adult education or continuing education centres; non-profit organisations; National Authorities and private enterprises.
The ALFA networks should be composed of at least six Higher Education Institutions: three European and three Latin American (six different countries in total). The network is expected to ensure the active participation of all its members. Other institutions may join the network as associated members, provided that their involvement is pertinent and contributes to the fulfilment of the network's objectives.
To participate in the ALFA programme it is compulsory to be part of a network, as no individual institution will receive ALFA funding.
The total available budget is of 42 million. Up till now, average project contribution has been of 120.000 on a co-financing basis with an EU contribution of maximum 75 %. The ALFA programme follows an open call for applications system, so proposals can be presented at any time during the year. Project proposals sent until 30th of April will be evaluated during June of the same year, until 30th of October during December. For guidelines and applications forms please consult the ALFA homepage.
Homepage of the alfa programme
http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/projects/alfa/index_en.htm
Alßan
The Alßan Programme is a high level scholarship programme, which aims at the reinforcement of the European Union - Latin America co-operation in the area of Higher Education and covers studies for postgraduates as well as higher training for Latin American professionals/future decision-makers, in institutions or centres in the European Union. The programme will provide for a new increased mobility and access of Latin American nationals to the European area of higher education as well as contributing to better employability skills and opportunities to Latin American nationals in their own countries.
The Community budget is of 88.5 million and reaches the level of 75 % of the cost of training. 90 % of the amount reserved to scholarships will be allocated to grantees enrolling in studies or training at masters and/or doctorate level, whereas 10 % is reserved for high level awards to professionals, future decision-makers from Latin America. The average annual cost of a scholarship is 19.200. The periods of education and training may range from six months to three years depending on the level and the education/training programme envisaged.
It is expected that around 3,900 Latin American students and professionals will benefit from scholarships for postgraduate studies and professional training or upgrading, in Europe during the next nine years.
In the course of the Alßan Programme, an Information and Communication Network will be set up in co-operation with the Commission Delegations in Latin America, with the services at European Commission headquarters and with other relevant organisations and bodies from the Member States. By means of this network, EU-LA cooperation will be strengthened and joint projects can be developed in other programmes, especially under the Alfa Programme.
Further, a network of Alßan Alumni will be set up together with the organisation of relevant network activities. This network will be open to the participants of the ALFA programme ex-grantees as well as other Latin American students or professionals that may have benefited from education and training in the European Union.
Homepage of the Alßan programme:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/projects/alban/index_en.htm
3.2. EC's Poverty Reduction Effectiveness Programme EC-PREP
EC-PREP is a programme of research to enhance collaboration between the European Commission (the External Relations DG and the Development DG) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID). Its main objective is to enhance the poverty impact of the European Community's development assistance and contribute to achieving the International Development Target of halving the number of people living in extreme poverty by 2015.
The programme covers all developing countries focusing on six priority areas:
Trade and development,
Regional integration and cooperation,
Macro-economic support and equitable access to social services,
Transport,
Food security and sustainable rural development,
Institutional capacity building.
Further, cross-cutting issues like human rights, environment, gender, good governance, conflict prevention and crisis management are the subject of the programme. It is essential, that proposals should contribute to improving the effectiveness of the EU's development assistance.
DFID has assigned 3.2 million to fund the research projects. Grants are available in the range of 50,000 to 160,000 on a competitive basis. they are awarded for a maximum of two years.
Funding is open to all single or associated public and private organisations, based in the EU, and undertaking research related to development cooperation. Non-EU-based institutions can make a joint application with an EU partner.
Calls for proposals are normally made twice a year - in general during January and October. The decision on grant appraisal will be taken by a steering committee according to the programme ranking criteria. Please contact the EC-PREP Office (see contact address below) for information on the next deadline.
First application is done by completing the enquiry reform. If appropriate, Deloitte and Touche - administrator of the programme - will send the official application form for the programme.
For more information and to download the application form: www.ec-prep.org
Contact Person at the European Commission
Anders Berlin
DG External Relations
Economic Analysis
Rue de la Loi 170
B - 1049 Brussels
Tel.: +32 2 2959921
Fax: +32 2 2992176
Email: anders.berlin@cec.eu.int
EC-PREP Administor
Deloitte & Touche
Emerging Markets
Stonecutter Court
1 Stonecutter Street
London
EC4 4TR
UK
Tel.: + 44 20 7303 2206
Fax.: + 44 20 7303 2207
Email: ec-prep@deloitte.co.uk
3.3. Intelligent Energy for Europe
The multi-annual framework programme "Intelligent Energy for Europe" is the main instrument of the DG for Energy and Transport to implement the EU strategy in the field of energy outlined in the Green Paper "Towards a European strategy for the security of energy supply", especially focusing on non-technological aspects concerning energy efficiency and renewable energy.
In order to achieve the EU objectives improving the security of supply and combating climate change, the programme adopts a more integrated and coherent approach compared to further programmes. Shifting from a supply-side approach to a demand-based approach - the energy consumption - "Intelligent Energy for Europe" focuses on renewable energies, energy saving, international co-operation, and integration of energy and transport aspects.
The programme is structured into four fields of activities:
SAVE: energy efficiency and rational use of energy in buildings and the industrial sector,
ALTENER: new and renewable energy sources and diversification of energy production,
STEER: energy aspects of transport,
COOPENER: promotion of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency at international level particularly in the developing countries.
For each of the fields, six types of actions are planned:
Implementation of strategies, development of standards, studies etc.,
Creation, enlargement and reorganisation of structures and financial and market instruments, including local and regional planning,
Promotion of sustainable energy systems and equipment to ease the transition from demonstration to marketing,
Development of information, education, and training structures and utilisation of the results,
Monitoring of implementation and impact of Community initiatives,
Assessment of the impact of the actions.
Furthermore, the programme will be implemented by means of targeted initiatives, known as "key actions", which refer either to a specific field (vertical key actions) or pursue an integrated approach (horizontal key actions). Inside of each key action a number of target areas have been defined.5.
Vertical key actions
SAVE
ALTENER
STEER
COOPENER
- Multiplying success in buildings
- Retrofitting of social houses
- Innovative approaches in industry
- Energy efficient equipment and products
- RES-Electricity
- RES-Heat
- Small scale RES applications
- Alternative vehicle propulsion
- Alternative vehicle propulsion
- Policy measures for an efficient use of energy in transport
- Strengthening the knowledge of local management agencies in the transport fields
- Energy policies, legislation and market conditions for enabling poverty alleviation in developing countries
- Strengthening local energy expertise in developing countries
Horizontal key actions
Sustainable energy communities
Think globally, act locally
Financing mechanisms & incentives
Monitoring & evaluation
Dissemination & promotion
 Figure 3: Vertical and horizontal key actions in the Intelligent Energy for Europe Programme |
Apart from COOPENER, all activities focus on the EU region, and are thus not relevant for renewable energies and energy efficiency in Latin America. COOPENER presents the international promotion part of the framework programme and is part of the EU's global strategy for sustainable development, specifically the EU's contribution to world-wide sustainable development.6 The activities to be funded will focus on analyses of the potential for replication in developing countries of measures and techniques developed within the EU, and on promoting EU know-how and technology transfers to those countries.
Overall, the Commission allocates a budget of 215 million for the period of 2003 to 2006, whereby, from 2004 on, an additional budget of 50 million per year could be envisaged in the context of the enlargement process. The broken down budget is shown in the following table.
 Table 2: Broken down budget for Intelligent Energy for Europe |
As a general rule, funding will be limited to 50 % of the total projects costs. For certain studies or measures undertaken on the Commission's own initiative, 100 % funding is provided.
Funding is open to all public and private organisations based in the EU, the candidate countries, and the EFTE/EEA area.7 8 However, international cooperation being essential for the COOPENER, organisations outside this area can participate in this part of the programme. Thus, renewable energies and energy efficiency in Latin America will in general be funded under COOPENER.
Details on the calls, applications procedures etc. can be viewed on http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy/intelligent/call_for_proposal_2003/call_library_en.htm
For COOPENER, the 2003 call will focus on:
Vertical key action 11: Energy policies, legislation and market conditions for enabling poverty alleviation in developing countries with the target areas
- The energy policy chain, from development to promotion and implementation
Pro-poor energy regulations, addressing sustainability, targets, and decentralised
generation
- Energy planning for urban, peri-urban and rural areas
- Financing, investments and support schemes for energy sector programmes and projects, with particular emphasis on SMEs
Vertical key action 12: Strengthening local energy expertise in developing countries with the target areas
- Training and networking for energy policy makers, regulators, and planners
- Training, networking, mobility and study tours for energy professionals
- Strengthening existing Energy Centres, Agencies and Industry Associations.
3.4. 6th Framework Programme (FP6)
The 6th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6) is the main instrument to achieve the EU objective to strengthen the scientific and technological bases of the EU industry in order to become more competitive at international level. In order to develop and implement the European Research Area ERA in an effective way, the programme is structured around the following main components:
Focusing and integrating European research,
Structuring the European Research Area,
Strengthening the foundation of the European Research Area.
Different focus areas, instruments, and additional measures are put in place. In the following, only the areas of interest for renewable energy/energy efficiency activities in Latin America will be considered in detail:
Focusing and integrating European research
Activities undertaken in this part will primarily focus on seven thematic areas, however specific measures will additionally be undertaken across a wider field of scientific and technological research. In addition Joint Research Centres (JCR) will provide independent customer-driven support for the formulation and implementation of Community Policies, including the monitoring for implementation of such policies, within its area of specific competence.
The thematic priorities are:
Life science, genomics and biotechnology for health
Information society technologies
Nanotechnologies and nano-science, knowledge-based multifunctional materials and new production processes and devices
Aeronautic and space
Food quality and safety
Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems
Citizens and governance in knowledge-based society
Specific activities covering a global field of research
The activities undertaken in the area of sustainable development and global change are intended to develop the technological and scientific capacities needed for Europe to implement sustainable development and integrate its environmental, economic, and social objectives with particular regard to renewable energy, transport, and sustainable management of European land and marine resources. The activities will concentrate on the following areas:
Sustainable energy systems:
Clean energy, energy savings, alternative motor fuels, fuel cells, energy carriers/ transport/storage, etc.,
Sustainable surface transport:
Environmentally friendly transport, interoperability, safety, etc.,
Global change and ecosystems:
Greenhouse gas emission, water cycle, biodiversity, natural disasters, land management, climate modelling, etc.
Specific activities covering a wider field of research:
Supporting policies and anticipating scientific and technological needs:
Activities in support of EU policies and research responding to new and emerging needs (annual programming),
Horizontal research activities involving SMEs:
To boost technological capacities of SMEs in traditional and new areas and develop their ability to operate internationally (co-operative and collective research),
Specific measures in support of international cooperation (INCO III):
Developing countries, Mediterranean countries including the western Balkans, Russia and NIS9.
In addition to the thematic and specific activities, Joint Research Centres undertake direct actions, which focus on:
Food, chemical products and health,
Environment and sustainability.
Structuring the ERA
Activities in this area will cover the following
Research and Innovation:
Activities intended to stimulate technological innovation, utilisation of research results, transfer of knowledge and technologies and the setting up of technology business in the EU, e.g. by networking, intelligence centres etc.,
Human resource and mobility:
Activities are intended to support the development of world-class human resources in the EU by promoting trans-national mobility for training purposes, development of expertise of transfer of knowledge between different sectors. These activities are also open to third countries' researchers,
Research infrastructures,
Activities to help to establish a fabric of high-level research infrastructures in Europe and promote their optimum use,
Science/society,
Activities to encourage harmonious relations between science and society and to establish a dialogue between researchers, industrialists, political decision-makers and citizens.
Strengthening the foundations of the ERA
Activities realised under this heading are intended to step up the coordination and support the coherent development of research and development policies in Europe. They include:
Support for the coordination of activities in the field of science and technology (at national and European level),
Coherent development of research and innovation policies in Europe.
Overall, the Commission allocates a budget of 17.5 billion for the period of 2003 to 2006 which is broken down as shown in table 1.8.
 Table 3: Allocated budget 2003-2006 |
The budgets interesting in the context of renewable energies/energy efficiency in Latin America are:
Sustainable energy: 810 million,
Specific measures in support of international cooperation: 315 million,
Human Resources: 1,580 million.
Research projects in FP6 are implemented via certain "instruments" specifying how the work is to be organised and funded. The type of instruments to be used is specified in the work programme of each activity, and will be stated in every specific call for proposals.
Integrated Projects (IP)
Multi-partner projects designed to create the knowledge required to implement the priority thematic areas of FP6 by integrating a critical mass of activities and resources.
Network of Excellence (NoE)
Multi-partner projects aimed at strengthening scientific and technological excellence in Europe on a particular research topic in order to be a world force in a given domain.
Article 169
This instrument aims at integrating national and regional research programmes on a particular topic by their joint implementation.
Specific Targeted Projects (STREP) and Specific Targeted Innovative Projects (STIP)
Multi-partner demonstration, research and innovation projects of a more limited scope than the IP.
Coordination Action (CA)
Multi-partner actions intended to promote and support the networking and co-ordination of research and innovation activities.
Specific Support Action (SSA)
Contributes actively to the implementation of the activities of the work programme, the analysis and dissemination of the results, preparation of future activities.
Specific Research Projects for SMEs
Cooperative Research Projects (CRAFT) where SMEs commission external research institutions on a specific topic and Collective Research Projects undertaken by industrial associations/groupings.
Other instruments under "Structuring the ERA".
For further detailed information on EU instruments please visit:
http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/stepbystep/instruments.htm
As a general rule, the financial contribution is a grant to the budget of maximum 50 % for research, 30 % for demonstration, and 100 % for certain other activities.
A budget of 600 million is foreseen for international cooperation and third country participation in the course of the 6th Framework Programme. Generally, international cooperation is possible within the thematic areas and in the course of the specific measures.
For the thematic areas and the specific measures supporting policies and anticipating scientific and technological needs and research activities involving SMEs a budget of 285 million is available (part of the above stated budget). The following conditions for the participation of third countries need to be fulfilled:
Third country participation is considered as additional participation, i.e. addition to the minimum number of European partners,
Participation lies in the interest of the Community,
Use of project results must be settled.
For the specific measure in support of international cooperation, the INCO activities, a budget of 315 million is available (also part of the above stated budget). It will be implemented through three major routes:
Opening "Focusing and Integrating Community Research" to third country organisations. Funding is available for the participation of researchers, teams and institutions from third countries.
Specific measures in support of international co-operation, which will support the Community's external relations and development aid policies, in particular the fight against poverty, the EU Water Initiative and the commitment towards the Millennium Development Goals. They will involve developing countries Mediterranean partner countries Western Balkan countries, Russia, and the other NIS.
International activities under the heading of Human Resources. Marie Curie actions will be opened to third country researchers. Experienced researchers can apply for a Marie Curie International Incoming fellowship scheme, and organisations in Third countries can host European researchers under the Marie Curie International outgoing fellowship scheme.
For the developing countries, including Latin America, the INCO-call 2002-2006 will focus on the following research priorities:
Health and public health: reproductive health,
Rational use of natural resources: managing humid and semi-humid ecosystems, reconciling multiple demands on coastal zones,
Food security: health of livestock populations.
For details please visit the homepage http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/calls.cfm