European Funding can be scary for small
businesses. The idea of undertaking a collaborative project with someone
normally out with their own supply chain and under the framework of a EU scheme
puts many off. In this blog piece, Anis Mourad tells us a bit about why the
Eco-Innovation programme is one that SMEs should consider.
The Enterprise
Europe Network is here to make that process easier for local businesses by
helping them through the often complex mechanics and dynamics of programmes,
offer their expert insight into some of the dos and don't of EU funding and by
enabling access to National and EU Project Officers that would otherwise be
very difficult.
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| Anis Mourad |
Over the last
year, EEN Scotland has been working flat out to increase the engagement of
Scottish businesses in the Eco-Innovation programme... and with some positive
results!
Eco-Innovation is
open to all forms of innovation looking to reduce environmental impact or
optimise the use of resources. By supporting these innovative ideas, the
programme aims to help small businesses turn these into marketable green products
and services which have the potential for replication across Europe .
One big appeal to
small business is that the programme is post Research and Development - it aims
to bridge the gap between R&D and commercialisation. The SME friendly
nature of the programme can be evidenced by the fact that more than 65% of all
applicants are small businesses!
All you need is a
good idea that matches one of the broad call objectives, a project idea that is
innovative, can achieve signifcant environmental impact and has the potential
for wider market replication.
What are these
priority areas?
Materials
Recycling, Sustainable building products, Food & Drink, Water and Greening
Business.
Project examples
include a new type of milk bottle made from paper with a thin plastic lining
which uses approximately 2 million tonnes of recycled paper or the
Glassplus project which turns old TVs into beautiful ceramic that can be used
to tile your house!
Thanks to the
close work between the EEN in Scotland
and the simply wonderful Ewa Bloch - the UK
I'm anxiously
awaiting the results while planning ahead for 2013's Eco-Innovation fun!
The next call for
proposals will open in April/May 2013. Keep your eyes peeled on this blog and
on the Enterprise Europe Network Scotland
In the meantime,
if you'd like to know more about Eco-Innovation feel free to get in touch and
have a chat! You can never start too early when it comes to EU funding!
Contact Anis Mourad on Anis.Mourad@scotent.co.uk
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