Competitiveness and Innovation Programme
The Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) is a framework for a number of EU funding Programmes whose common aim is to encourage the competitiveness of European enterprises, with a specific focus on SMEs. CIP can fund non-R&D type projects which mainstream innovative products and services.
It promotes all forms of innovation and aims to accelerate the development of a sustainable, competitive, innovative and inclusive information society. In addition the Programme promotes energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources.
Funding Programmes
The CIP is delivered through the following three Operational Programmes, all of which have their own priorities:
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme;
- ICT Policy Support Programme and
- Intelligent Energy Europe Programme.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (€2.166bn)
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme is focused on the start-up and growth of small companies. It aims to:
- Facilitate access to funding for SMEs (European Investment Bank loans);
- Improve integration for existing networks of business support services (in Scotland this aspect is delivered by European Enterprise Network Scotland); and Support innovation activities and networks
Eco-innovation Programme (funding for mainstreaming products and processes from the green sector)
PRO-INNO (innovation support mechanisms for policy makers and public support organisations Europe-wide)
INNOVA (tests support services for innovative SMEs).
ICT Policy Support Programme (€728m)
The ICT Policy Support Programme aims to stimulate the up-take and use of ICT. In particular, it focuses on support for pilot actions using innovative ICT-based services for the development of digital content.
It will also support the aims of the new integrated strategy i2010 - the EU policy framework for the information society and media.
Intelligent Energy Europe Programme (€727m)
The Intelligent Energy Europe Programme focuses its resources on supporting actions to accelerate the uptake and promotion of:
- Energy efficiency;
- New and renewable energy sources; and
- Technological solutions.
The Programme aims to reduce green house gasses and emissions. It will also help to increase the level of investment in new and best-performing technologies.
Through various measures this Programme will bridge the gap between the successful demonstration of innovative technologies and their effective introduction to the market.
Programme Administration
Each of the CIP Programmes issue an annual Work Programme at the beginning of the year.
The CIP Programme management committee is composed of representatives from each EU member state and by observers of non EU countries that participate in the Programme.
Meeting two to three times every year, the main task of the committee is to approve the annual Work Programmes and discuss issues related to policies.
Further information and links
For an overview of the CIP please visit the European Commission’s website.
Intelligent Energy Europe Programme
The Executive Agency for Competitiveness & Innovation manages:
- The Intelligent Energy
- Europe Programme;
- Enterprise Europe Network;
- The Eco-innovation Programme and
- The Marco Polo Programme.
National Contact Point
Ms Helen Fairclough
Energie Helpline UK
energie@enviros.com
T: +44 (0)161 874 3636
ICT Policy Support Programme
The ICT Policy Support Programme Secretariat: infso-ict-psp@ec.europa.eu
National Contact Point
Mr. Peter WALTERS
Tuvnel
pwalters@tuvnel.com
T: +44 (0)1932 251 260
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme Secretariat: entr-cip@ec.europa.eu
Enterprise Europe Network Scotland
Scottish Enterprise
info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com
T: +44 (0)141 228 2797
www.enterprise-europe-scotland.com