INFO2000 - Exploiting content resources in the public sector

The European Commission, DG XIII, has published a call for proposals for strategic projects aimed at improving access to information resources held by the public sector, for exploitation in European multimedia content services. The call is launched under the Community's multi-...

The European Commission, DG XIII, has published a call for proposals for strategic projects aimed at improving access to information resources held by the public sector, for exploitation in European multimedia content services. The call is launched under the Community's multi-annual programme to stimulate the development of a European multimedia content industry and to encourage the use of multimedia content in the emerging Information Society (INFO2000).

Projects should focus on specific types of information that have high value for Europe's business, industry, research and citizens. Relevant resources are principally those held by the public sector at regional, national and transnational levels. Where appropriate, however, projects will also integrate data from other sources in the private sector. A core activity of projects will be to establish public-private partnerships covering as many as possible of the countries of the European Economic Area.

The end objective shall be to make comprehensive European information accessible for multimedia exploitation in commercial and other applications. An important part of the work will focus on the creation of inventories and directories to facilitate such access. It will also be generally necessary to set up adequate systems for integrating data across national boundaries and, where relevant, across neighbouring subject areas.

End-user applications and prototypes may be developed, in the course of the projects, to demonstrate strategies for multimedia delivery. These should take account of potential user needs, current research and technological development, and integration into systems for electronic commerce. Proposals with substantial involvement of the content industry, in particular SMEs, will be particularly welcome.

Examples of public sector information qualifying for attention under this call are:

- Geographic information, both topographical and thematic;
- Statistical information;
- Environmental, consumer and public health information;
- Employment and social information;
- Regulations and administrative dispositions;
- Standards;
- Scientific and technical data;
- Public archives;
- Information on the activities and organization of public administrations.

Projects will be expected to take full account of and contribute where possible to existing national and European initiatives in the relevant subject areas.

Community financial support is based on actual costs incurred, normally labour costs and travel costs over a two-year work period. The support will be calculated at up to 50% of those costs and may be up to ECU 500,000 per project. The Community financial contribution under the present programme may not be cumulated with a payment from any other European Community programme or source for the same project. An indicative budget for the support of actions resulting from this call is ECU 7 million.

This call for proposals is open to consortia of entities from both public and private sectors, within the European Economic Area (EEA). All projects must be transnational in scope and include cooperation between independent partners across national borders.

In order to stimulate the exchange of information between organizations competent to collaborate in such projects, the Commission is making available on its I'M-Europe Internet site (http://www2.echo.lu/calls.html) a space where potential initiatives may be sketched out. Organizations that possess or have access to relevant information resources of significant size or extent are invited to consult this page and submit any commentaries or suggestions for projects.
Further information on this call and the conditions for submitting proposals may be obtained from:

European Commission
DG XIII - Telecommunications, information market and exploitation of research
INFO2000 Central Office
DG XIII-E
EUFO 1179
L-2920 Luxembourg
Fax [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Supporting documentation may also be obtained on the I'M Europe WWW server at:

http://www2.echo.lu/info2000/infohome.html

All proposals responding to this call must be sent, by registered post or hand delivery, either to the address indicated above or to one of the Commission's offices within the Community.