Events to look out for
EU Green Week 2017 – 29 May to 2 June, Brussels (Belgium). With the theme of Green jobs for a greener future, Green Week will focus on how EU environmental policies are creating green jobs and contributing to economic, sustainable and socially responsible growth in the EU. It will also highlight the demand for new types of green skills in many professional sectors.
Financing energy efficiency in Spain and Portugal – 15 June, Madrid (Spain). This event aims to share best practice from Spain, Portugal and further afield in Europe on how energy efficiency can be financed. This includes the use of private funds and innovative financing instruments, notably in the building and industry sectors
Funding available
Investment Plan for Europe: EUR 80 million for Italian businesses. The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Banca Popolare Pugliese, assisted by Banca Akros, have signed an agreement backed by the EU's research and innovation programme – Horizon 2020. The agreement will provide EUR 80 million in financing to innovative Italian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small mid-caps over the next two years.
Romanian small businesses to benefit from EUR 246 million of investments under three new agreements. The EIF has signed three guarantee agreements in Romania, with Raiffeisen Bank, Banca Comerciala Romana (BCR) and ProCredit Bank. These agreements aim to improve access to finance for over 4,300 Romanian businesses, including micro companies and start-ups.
EU policies for better business
EU grants Sri Lanka improved access to its market as incentive for reform. The European Union removed a significant part of import duties on Sri Lankan products as from last Friday, 19 May. This will be in exchange for the country's commitment to effectively implement international conventions on human rights, labour conditions, protection of the environment and good governance. These one-way trade preferences will fully remove duties on 66% of tariff lines, including textiles and fisheries.
The Digital Transformation Monitor portal is now online. The DTM offers a unique insight into statistics and initiatives to support digital transformation, as well as reports on key industrial and technological opportunities, challenges and policy initiatives related to digital transformation.
Get involved
Interim evaluation of the programme for the competitiveness of enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (COSME). The European Commission has launched a public consultation as part of the interim evaluation of the COSME programme. SMEs, stakeholders and public authorities are invited to fill in the questionnaire.
European Commission launches public consultation on promoting social inclusion and shared EU values through education. How should education in Europe help young people to thrive in increasingly diverse societies? Answer this consultation until 11 August 2017.