City scientists learn how to win European investment
More than 500 people looking for funding for projects within the remit of the European Commission's first and second calls for proposals for the Key Action "City of Tomorrow and Cultural Heritage" gathered in Brussels on 19 April 1999 for an information day. The event was a valuable opportunity to network with potential research partners and to gain a better understanding of the information available to proposers. It introduced the Key Action, explaining how it fits into the wider aims of the thematic programme Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (EESD) within the Commission's Fifth RTD Framework Programme (FP5). The EESD programme has been designed to tackle the problems faced by Europe in the current era of environmental change. It identifies human factors such as continuing urbanisation, a rapid growth in private transport, and the problems associated with ozone depletion as worrying areas to be addressed. The European Commission believes that there is a pressing need for more data on our urban environment, particularly with regard to water consumption, municipal waste generation and waste water treatment, as well as noise and air pollution. Highlighting the social and economic challenges to Europe, the main problems pointed out at the information day included the difficulties experienced by many because of social exclusion, decaying infrastructures, growing competition and economic globalisation, and unemployment afflicting 18 million Europeans. The information given out at the event included details of how the Key Action covers research areas that tie in with other programmes in FP5, and how the budget for EESD is divided. Importantly, the Commission highlighted the fact that it is most interested in proposals that consider economic development, social objectives and European added value. It highlighted the priorities for the first and second call for proposals as follows: - First Call: deadline 15 June 1999, budget c. 18 million euro: - - Improving urban governance and decision making; - - Development of innovative conservation strategies (networks and concerted actions only); - - Revitalisation of city centres and neighbourhoods; - - Strategic approaches and methodologies in urban planning towards sustainable urban transport; - Second call: to open early Autumn 1999 (deadline early 2000), budget c. 40 million euro: - - Revitalisation of city centre and neighbourhoods; - - Development of innovative conservation strategies. A good proposal, according to advice given at the event, must: - Meet the Commission's criteria for a proposal; - Be realistic yet ambitious in scope; - Set out a clear timescale with deliverable milestones; - Involve key stakeholders. CORDIS was also present at the event, helping researchers looking for partners to enter their details on the CORDIS "Expression of Interest" Service at URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/eesd/src/eoi.htm. Help is also available to those who were unable to attend the information day. The organisers, from the European Commission, DG XII, have made available information from the event including the slides and details of who can participate, contractual arrangements, and information on proposal making and evaluation. These documents are available from: URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg12/envsc/info-city.html