The 15th edition of the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) will take place in Brussels from 22 to 26 June 2020
29.05.2020. The EU’s Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2020 will take place in Brussels from 22 to 26 June 2020. It is the largest event dedicated to renewable energy and energy efficiency in Europe. This year, participants will enjoy an interactive online event experience. Highlights include: a three-day political conference including a high-level opening session; the EUSEW Awards; networking activities and side events for participants; the Energy Days, digital events taking place across Europe. For the first time, a European Youth Energy Day will also be organised on 22 June. During the EUSEW, a total of 30 digital sessions will bring together key players in the energy sector to discuss issues related to this year’s theme: “Beyond the crisis: clean energy for green recovery and growth”; and share good practices and discuss the way forward for a sustainable future for all. Registration will open next week! THE ENERGY DAYS Energy Days are digital activities and events organised by local public and private organisations across Europe to promote clean energy and energy efficiency. They are a key component of the EU’s Sustainable Energy Week. You can apply for an Energy Day taking into account that: takes place in May or June 2020. is held in a region of the European Union. is non-profit / has no admission fees. aims to attract a minimum of 10 people (citizens and/or interested in energy) Deadline: There is no deadline for registration. More information about the Energy Days: https://www.eusew.eu/about-energy-days Contact: beatriz.martinez@finnova.eu
Call for Technology and Innovation Platforms 2020
29.05.2020. The call for early processing for the year 2020 for the granting of aid to Technology and Innovation Platforms, within the State Programme for Research, Development and Innovation Geared to the Challenges of Society (within the framework of the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2017-2020), has been approved. The objective of this call is the creation and consolidation of Technology and Innovation Platforms. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES TO BE FUNDED: The Technology and Innovation Platforms carry out activities to promote and stimulate R&D&I, they are structures for exchange and communication between the different agents in the Spanish science-technology and innovation system that promote the improvement of the technological capacity and competitiveness of the national productive sector, carrying out activities of knowledge exchange, planning and dissemination. The Technology and Innovation Platforms are key structures for the promotion of public-private collaboration and the detection of new demands. The activities that are financed are: a) Organization of the Platform’s Annual Assembly. b) Dissemination activities or thematic conferences related to the activity of the Platform. c) Preparation of documents related to the Platform’s activity. d) Elaboration of prospective studies and early demand studies. e) Actions in the field of Challenges in collaboration with other Platforms. f) Actions aimed at promoting technological cooperation and advice on the preparation of R&D&I projects. g) Promotion of participation in R&D&I internationalisation activities. BENEFICIARIES: In accordance with the provisions of Article 5 of the resolution of the call, public research bodies, public universities, state-level Technology Centres and Technology Innovation Support Centres, other public and private non-profit R&D&I centres, companies and sectorial business associations may be beneficiaries of the aid. Type of funding: Grant Budget: 4.000.000 € Deadline: June 2, 2020 – June 16, 2020 More information: http://www.ciencia.gob.es/portal/site/MICINN/menuitem.dbc68b34d11ccbd5d52ffeb801432ea0/?vgnextoid=a17304aad8ac1710VgnVCM1000001d04140aRCRD
Forest protection, biodiversity and artificial intelligence: what challenges ahead?
29.05.2020. Forest Protection, Biodiversity and Artificial Intelligence: What Challenges Ahead? is an event that will consist of a debate on future challenges regarding forest protection in the European Union and globally; as well as the use of artificial intelligence to counteract biodiversity loss and improve environmental sustainability (#Tech4Forests). The speakers and details of the event will be announced in the coming days. Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, this event will be streamed. ABOUT THE DEBATE As recognized by both the UN and the European Commission, forests are rapidly disappearing as a result of deforestation and degradation. Furthermore, global deforestation and forest degradation also negatively affects many objectives, both of Europe and of the international community; and in several other important aspects of life on Earth, such as ensuring peace and good governance or promoting the rule of law as highlighted in the objectives of the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. #Tech4Forests: The issue of forest protection continues to be a crucial feature of the global public debate on climate change, as forests are not only an important aspect of the fight to protect the climate, but also a decisive aspect of the success of the actions being taken by European and international institutions. When: 24 June 2020 Time: 6 p.m. Where: online The audience will be able to ask questions during the discussion and afterward in the question and answer round. Registration: https://bit.ly/2yIBnmZ
UBLIC CONSULTATION – Adapting to Climate Change: an EU Strategy
28.05.2020. The European Green Deal aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent in the world. Climate impacts are already being felt across Europe and are likely to increase even further in intensity and frequency. Without drastic emission reduction measures, continued climate change could increase the likelihood of serious, widespread and irreversible consequences, such as the collapse of natural ecosystems, the erosion of global food security or the displacement of people. The Commission therefore believes it is important to bring together a wide range of stakeholder views for the new Strategy to inform the design and policy options explored, as well as the appropriate level of ambition. You can contribute and participate in this call through the following link: https://bit.ly/3gxEVJC Europe is affected by indirect climate impacts outside the Union in many ways, such as trade, spread of infections and supply chains or migration. The ultimate goal of climate change adaptation strategies is to protect people, the planet and prosperity from environmental impacts. By promoting global adaptation actions together with accelerated emission reductions, the EU can help ensure the well-being of EU citizens, safeguard our natural environment and cultural heritage, and protect our investments and economic assets. Feedback period from 14 May 2020 to 20 August 2020 More information on the consultation at: https://bit.ly/3gp6o0h
PUBLIC CONSULTATION: The European Climate Pact aims to involve citizens and communities in climate and environmental action.
28.05.2020. The transition to a climate-neutral society is a challenging task because it is about people and their daily lives: how we produce, consume, move, heat or cool our homes, work and live together. Along with government policies and regulations, citizens, communities and organizations in all sectors of society and economy have their role to play. To this end and as part of the European Green Deal, the Commission will launch a European Climate Pact to give everyone a voice and space to design climate actions, share information, launch grassroots activities and showcase solutions that others can follow. Through communication activities and events and by using multiple channels and tools, the Covenant will create awareness and understanding of climate change based on sound scientific evidence. It will also inspire individuals and organizations to get involved and encourage sustainable behaviors. The Commission wants to hear citizens’ ideas for the European Climate Pact and their views on how to make the Pact as effective, inclusive and ambitious as possible. That is why a public consultation is being launched, to shape the final design of the Covenant. More information on the consultation is available at: https://bit.ly/2ZIOpfl About the European Climate Pact The European Climate Pact aims to inform, inspire and encourage cooperation between people and organisations ranging from national, regional and local authorities to businesses, trade unions, civil society organisations, educational institutions, research and innovation organisations, consumer groups and individuals. Direct consultations with citizens could be organised using formats such as citizens’ dialogues, citizens’ assemblies and more. As appropriate, these platforms will be linked to existing initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors on Climate and Energy or the CITIZENV dialogues with young people across Europe. The Green Deal is the EU’s new strategy for tackling climate change, designed to make Europe’s economy sustainable, cleaner, safer and healthier. The vehicle for promoting this broad social mobilization, which brings together people, industry, civil society and public authorities at all levels, will be the ‘Climate Pact’, which will be launched in the third quarter of 2020. The online public consultation is open until 17 June 2020. Contact us: Beatriz Martinez: beatriz.martinez@finnova.eu
New European Green Deal call
27.05.2020. The European Commission has opened a public call to shape a new Horizon 2020 call for proposals that will aim to strengthen research and innovation related to the European Green Deal. The call for proposals is expected to be published in mid-September and will have a budget of 1 billion euros. The call seeks to fund projects that provide solutions to the main priorities of the Green Pact, supporting pilot applications, demonstration projects and innovative products; innovation for better governance of the green and digital transition; social and value chain innovation. In addition to supporting technological development and demonstration, the call also seeks new ways to engage civil society and empower citizens. This public consultation on the Green Pact allows CILIFO project partners and citizens to provide their assessments for the future Green Pact, which may affect the issues addressed by CILIFO. The call will be structured in 11 areas, 8 thematic and 3 horizontal: Call area 1: Increasing climate ambition: cross-sectoral challenges Call area 2: Clean, affordable and secure energy Call area 3: Industry for a clean and circular economy Call area 4: Energy and resource-efficient buildings Call area 5: Sustainable and smart mobility Call area 6: Farm to Fork Call area 7: Restoring biodiversity and ecosystem services Call area 8: Zero-pollution, toxic-free environment Call area 9: Strengthening our knowledge in support of the European Green Deal Call area 10: Empowering citizens fortransition towards a climate neutral, sustainable Europe Call area 11:Accelerating the clean energy transition and access in partnership with Africa DEADLINE: 3rd June 2020 More information : https://bit.ly/2ZCjwsW Contact: Beatriz Martínez (beatriz.martinez@finnova.eu)
ILIFO celebrates the European Day of Natural Parks
24.05.2020. The first European national parks were declared in Sweden on 24th May 1909. To commemorate this day, the EUROPARC Federation, a pan-European organization created in 1973 that brings together institutions dedicated to nature conservation and protected natural areas in 38 countries, has been promoting the celebration of the European Day of Parks since 1999. The Iberian Centre for Research and the Fight against Forest Fires (CILIFO) aims to strengthen cooperation infrastructures, improve existing infrastructures and build new ones. With the investment foreseen in the project, work will be done on the improvement of certain facilities for their shared use by the partners. Most of these facilities are more than 20 years old, and many of them need to be remodeled according to the new accessibility and structure requirements. Others are newly constructed and are critical operational links for mobilizing personnel and resources in the fight against forest fires. In addition, CILIFO, as a reference centre, will have an infrastructure where its headquarters and central offices reside to provide service to the entire Alentejo-Algarve-Andalusia (AAA) Euroregion. CILIFO focuses on the fight against forest fires and their consequences for the adaptation and mitigation of climate change; within a framework of cross-border cooperation for the prevention of risks and the improvement of the management of natural resources in Spain and Portugal in the area of the Euroregion Alentejo – Algarve – Andalusia. For this reason, it wants to join the celebration of the European Day of Natural Parks and its motto this year «Nature, good for your health». For more information on the European Day of Nature Parks: http://www.redeuroparc.org/dia-europeo-parques-2020 Contact: Beatriz Martínez (EU Project Officer at Fundación Finnova) beatriz.martinez@finnova.eu
Firefighting Open Innovation Lab – CILIFO joins International Biodiversity Day 2020 celebrations
22.05.2020. The loss of biodiversity is a loss for humanity, that is why every 22nd of May since 1993 is celebrated as the International Day for Biological Diversity. This day aims to increase understanding and awareness of issues related to biological diversity (the variability of living organisms, including diversity within species (genetics), between species and of ecosystems. One of the key pillars of the Iberian Centre for Research and Fight against Forest Fires (CILIFO) is awareness, since prevention is one of the main actions in the fight against forest fires, and it includes both preventive forestry on forest fuel, and other actions aimed at raising public awareness of the problem of fires: «social prevention». Environmental education and awareness is a complement to environmental policies and actions, since without the active and committed involvement of all members of society, the environmental strategies carried out by public and private bodies would not be sufficient to meet the challenges presented by sustainable development. For this reason, knowing the mechanisms of fire, the way in which the extinguishing devices and the harmful consequences of these, is a fundamental link in the chain that leads us to its prevention. The biological diversity is a global good of great value for the present and future generations, the number of species diminishes at an accelerated rate, due to the human activity, according to the Web of the United Nations. Given the importance of education and public awareness about this threat, CILIFO joins the celebration of the International Day of Biodiversity 2020. About biological diversity: As the United Nations explains on its website: «Biodiversity is understood to mean the wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms that exist, but it also includes the genetic differences within each species – for example, between varieties of crops and breeds of livestock – as well as the variety of ecosystems (lakes, forests, deserts, agricultural fields,…) that host multiple interactions between their members (humans, plants, animals) and their environment (water, air, soil…)». In addition, biological resources «are the pillars that support civilizations. Fish provide 20% of animal protein to some 3 billion people. More than 80% of the human diet is composed of plants. Approximately 80% of people living in rural areas in developing countries depend on traditional plant-based medicines for basic health care. Finally, the United Nations reports on its website that 2020 is a year «of reflection, opportunity and solutions. 2020 is the year when, more than ever, we must express our will to «flatten and reduce the curve» of biodiversity loss for the benefit of humans and all life on Earth. 2020 will see the final period of the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and the Aichi Targets, as well as the Decade of Biodiversity, which will usher in new biodiversity decades for the period 2021-2030: the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration; and the Biodiversity Summit, to emphasize the need for high-level action in support of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework. For more information on International Biodiversity Day: https://www.un.org/es/observances/biological-diversity-day Contact: Beatriz Martínez (EU Project Officer at Fundación Finnova) beatriz.martinez@finnova.eu
FIREFIGHTING OPEN INNOVATION LAB-CILIFO CELEBRATES EUROPEAN NATURE DAY 2000
20.05.2020. European Natura 2000 Day refers to 21 May 1992, when both the EU Habitats Directive and the LIFE programme were approved. This Directive together with the Birds Directive (adopted in 1979) became a basis for the EU’s Natura 2000 network of protected areas. Today, Natura 2000 consists of more than 27,800 sites on EU land and sea that successfully contribute to the preservation of Europe’s unique natural heritage. The Iberian Centre for Research and Fight against Forest Fires (CILIFO) joins the celebration of this day directly related to the climate change, since the project bets on a cross-border cooperation area of the Euroregion Alentejo-Algarve-Andalusia with a bet of measures towards the prevention and extinction of forest fires in the cooperation area. CILIFO is being developed thanks to the collaboration of a public-private partnership made up of public research bodies, non-profit organisations of public interest and public administrations, all with the common objective of fighting forest fires. According to the European Commission’s website, to celebrate the Natura 2000 network, one of the EU’s most outstanding achievements, and to honour the efforts of all those involved in making it a success, the European Commission together with the European Parliament, the Council Presidency and the Committee of the Regions declared 21 May as the European Natura 2000 Day. In 2020, the European Natura 2000 Day will put the focus on «young people and nature» with the aim of inspiring them to commit themselves to the protection and restoration of nature. Given the current situation with COVID-19 in Europe, this special day is celebrated on social networks with the hashtags #Natura2000 or #Natura2000Day About Natura 2000 Natura 2000 is a European ecological network of biodiversity conservation areas. It consists of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) established under the Habitats Directive and Special Protection Areas for birds (SPAs) designated under the Birds Directive. Their purpose is to ensure the long-term survival of species and habitat types in Europe by helping to halt the loss of biodiversity. It is the main instrument for nature conservation in the European Union. For more information on Natura 2000: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm Contact: Beatriz Martinez (EU Project Officer at Fundación Finnova) beatriz.martinez@finnova.eu
Contracting of Advice Creation of Joint Innovation Units
20.05.2020. 60% subsidy for projects of up to 2,000,000 euros between a non-SME company and an Andalusian research organisation SME companies can be subcontractors. Objective: to carry out joint projects between a non-SME company and a research body (this union will constitute a Joint Innovation Unit) to jointly implement technological development and innovation activities. Details: the aid is a non-refundable grant for projects that last three years and include a set of objectives and activities aligned with the priorities of the Innovation Strategy Andalusia 2020-RIS3. It may not be completed after 30 June 2023. The project will involve a planned research or critical study aimed at acquiring new knowledge and skills that are useful for new products, processes, services or to significantly improve existing ones. The result must be marketable. ⏰ Deadline: 75 calendar days from the day after the end of the alarm condition. The beneficiaries will be non-SME companies and Andalusian research and results dissemination bodies. SME companies could be subcontracted. Budget: the 2020 call has a budget of 18,000,000 euros. The minimum eligible budget for each project will be 1,500,000 euros. The maximum amount of aid for each project will be 60% of the eligible investment, with a maximum of 2,000,000 per project. The minimum contribution of the company participating in the Joint Innovation Unit will be at least 50% of the total budget. The research body must have a minimum of 10% of the budget. Contacts: Adrian Noheda Director of the Firefighting Open Innovation Lab adrian.noheda@finnova.eu Antonio Luis Moreno Finnova Foundation Project Technician antonio.luis@finnova.eu