The European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009
The year 2009 will be the European Year of Creativity and Innovation – particularly through Education and Culture.

The European Year will include information and promotion campaigns, events to disseminate key messages, identification of good practices, etc. Citizens' recommendations could stimulate further research into how creativity and innovative attitudes can be developed and could be taken in conjunction with the results of the projects, campaigns and policy debates taking place during the European Year.

Issues to be discussed are, for instance, the contribution of non-formal and informal youth activities as well as formal education to the promotion of creativity and innovation; the importance of broadening access to culture, openness to cultural diversity and fostering creativity as a competence which is transferable to a variety of occupational contexts; and the stimulation of innovation, flexibility and adaptability to a rapidly changing world.

The total budget earmarked for the co-financing of projects within this call for proposals is
estimated at € 920.000.
The grant awarded may not exceed 60 % of the total amount of the project's eligible costs as
specified in the detailed budget estimate.
The minimum grant will be € 75.000.
The maximum grant will be € 150.000.

Applications must be sent to the Agency no later than 01.07.2008.
This call covers projects starting between 01.12.2008 and 28.02.2009.
The maximum duration of a project is 10 months.

Initiative to increase citizens participation in EU legislative process

Press Release: eParticipation

The EU is taking the lead in using on-line tools to improve the legislative process for its citizens. The eParticipation Preparatory Action which launched on 1st January 2007 will run as a series of linked projects which each contribute to a greater awareness and involvement by citizens in the legislation process right from the initial drafting through to its implementation at a regional and local level.

The individual projects will concentrate on ensuring that the legislative language and process is more transparent, understandable and accessible to the citizen. In addition the projects emphasis on the communication of legislation will be used to enhance and grow citizen’s involvement and contribution in the process of creating and thereafter implementing the legislation.

The eParticipation Action will coordinate the 6 projects which in turn will each contribute towards different stages of the full life-cycle of the legislative process. The key theme throughout will be to ensure that online tools are identified which lead to an increased citizen involvement.

Overall the projects will run for upto 18 months and involve participants from 12 Member States, 5 Parliaments, 6 Local Authorities and a number of linked associations and universities.

For further information on the projects, check the pages for the appropriate project.

Contact for the ePacticipation Preparatory Action:

Initiative to increase citizens participation in EU legislative process

Press Release: eParticipation

The EU is taking the lead in using on-line tools to improve the legislative process for its citizens. The eParticipation Preparatory Action which launched on 1st January 2007 will run as a series of linked projects which each contribute to a greater awareness and involvement by citizens in the legislation process right from the initial drafting through to its implementation at a regional and local level.

The individual projects will concentrate on ensuring that the legislative language and process is more transparent, understandable and accessible to the citizen. In addition the projects emphasis on the communication of legislation will be used to enhance and grow citizen’s involvement and contribution in the process of creating and thereafter implementing the legislation.

The eParticipation Action will coordinate the 6 projects which in turn will each contribute towards different stages of the full life-cycle of the legislative process. The key theme throughout will be to ensure that online tools are identified which lead to an increased citizen involvement.

Overall the projects will run for upto 18 months and involve participants from 12 Member States, 5 Parliaments, 6 Local Authorities and a number of linked associations and universities.

For further information on the projects, check the pages for the appropriate project.

Contact for the ePacticipation Preparatory Action:

Provisional Programme - 20th May 2008

Centre Albert Borschette - Salle 0A
Rue Froissart 36
B1049 Brussels

OUR TELECONFERENCE TODAY with some creative Storytelling included...

We had a conference meeting over Skype today about Wp1 and Wp2. Ferran wanted to cover some urgent questions. He will be negotiating with Catalonia next week. I try to figure out what we covered. One of the participants represented information technology from Bulgaria.

Participants: Germany, Bulgaria, Holland, Spain, Greece, Finland and... I couldn't catch you all. Please add your own comments to make it more live.  

“Let me study and read,” The Bulgarian participant said. “I like to get a clearer picture.”

“This is the first draft of the proposal, first draft of participants” mister Ferran told. “This is what we have outlined to get started.”

“There is a lot of work to be done.” Someone comments.

Ferran continuous, “This is how to transfer all the knowledge to correspond with European Innova.”

The generation of the basic information and let it grow into basic knowledge, to include the knowledge stake holders. We talk about actors, participants, trainers, coaches, mentors and incubators participating in an annual European contest. “What do they want from this service?”

Sunday, June 17, 2007