Further Information : Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme
The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) aims to encourage the competitiveness of European enterprise
With small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) as its main target, the Programme will support innovation activities (including eco-innovation), provide better access to finance and deliver business support services in the regions. It will encourage a better take-up and use of information and communications technologies (ICT) and help to develop the information society. It will also promote the increased use of renewable energies and energy efficiency.
Below is a list of the priorities that will assist CIP in achieving its aims. More information on the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme can be found on the European Commission website.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP)
With a budget of € 2.17 billion EIP focuses on the following objectives:
- Facilitating access to finance for the start-up and growth of SMEs and encourage investment in innovation activities
- Creating an environment favourable to SME cooperation, particularly in the field of cross-border cooperation
- Promoting all forms of entrepreneurship and innovation in enterprises and associated economic and administrative reform
- Supporting eco-innovation
Access to finance for SMEs - Targeting companies in different phases of their lifecycle from seed, start up, expansion and business transfer, EIP will support investments in technological development, innovation (including eco-innovation), technology transfer, and the cross border expansion of business activities. They are managed by the European Investment Fund (EIF) in cooperation with financial institutions.
Enterprise Europe Network - Regional centres that provide integrated business and innovation support services will form part of a European network, drawing on the experience of the Euro Info Centres (EIC) and Innovation Relay Centres (IRC). They provide enterprises with a range of quality services to help make them more competitive.
Support for entrepreneurship and innovation - Support will be given to encourage the trans-national networking of innovative companies and all other actors in the innovation process, including benchmarking initiatives and the exchange of best practice.
Eco-innovation - Innovative products, processes and services aiming at reducing environmental impacts, preventing pollution or achieving a more efficient and responsible use of natural resources will be supported.
Support for policy-making - Under the EIP a number of conferences can be organised to assemble and publicise sectoral knowledge, inform policy-makers, and make policy suggestions to increase the coherence and cooperation between EU Member States. The programme will also be used to support policy-makers; the latest trends and developments in certain sectors - as well as European and global markets- will be analysed in studies and the results disseminated.
Information Communication Technologies Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP)
ICT PSP aims at stimulating innovation and competitiveness through the wider uptake and best use of ICT by citizens, governments and businesses, particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. The approach is based on leveraging innovation in response to growing societal demands.
Despite progress in the uptake of ICT, Europe can and must exploit these technologies better. Businesses, in particular SMEs, can make more and better use of ICT to innovate in products, services and processes. Public organisations can take further advantage of advances in ICT to provide more efficient and higher quality services. ICT PSP will help overcome the hurdles hindering the wider and better use of ICT in high growth sectors of public interest like health, inclusion or public administrations.
The Programme will facilitate the development of lead markets for innovative ICT-based solutions notably in areas of public interest and will open a wide range of new business opportunities in particular for innovative SMEs.
Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE)
There are many untapped opportunities to save energy and encourage the use of renewable energy sources in Europe, but market conditions do not always help.
The Intelligent Energy Europe Programme is the EU's tool for funding action to improve these conditions and move us towards a more energy intelligent Europe. It aims to achieve this by:
- Fostering energy efficiency and the rational use of energy sources
- Promoting new and renewable energy sources and energy diversification
- Promoting energy efficiency and new energy sources in transport
