Programme

ENERGIE Programme Objectives and Strategy

Programme Status

Programme Structure and Content

SME (Small and Medium sized Enterprises) Specific Measures

Frequently Asked Questions



ENERGIE Programme Objectives and Strategy

The ENERGIE Programme in FP5 supports research, development and demonstration aimed at delivering cost effective solutions to key energy related problems on a European scale. In particular the aims are to minimise the environmental impact of the production and use of energy and to increase the share of new and renewable energy sources in EU's energy balance. This will help reduce emissions and enhance the capability of European industry to compete in world markets. Two key driving forces for the Programme are the EU's obligations under the Kyoto Protocol which imply a reduction of 8% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2008-2012 compared to 1990 levels, and the Council Resolution of 8 June 1998 calling for increased efforts to promote renewables to bring about substantial increase in their use throughout the EU.

Programme Status

The Fifth Framework Programme is now closed.  The first calls for proposals under FP6 are expected in early 2003.

Programme Structure and Content

The ENERGIE Programme under the Fifth Framework Programme covered the following areas:

Key Action 5: Cleaner Energy Systems, Including Renewables

Key Action 6: Economic and Efficient Energy for a Competitive Europe

Key actions 1 to 4 refer to the Environmental and Sustainable Development part of FP5.

ENERGIE also covered RTD activities of a generic nature including tools and methodologies to study the socio-economic aspects of energy within the context of sustainable development, e.g. external factors, non-technical barriers for new and improved energy technologies, and the impact on society, the economy and employment.

FP5 was structured to allow cross-programme co-operation.

SME (Small and Medium sized Enterprises) Specific Measures

SMEs were eligible to participate directly in any of FP5's specific Programmes. However, the barriers to SME participation are recognised and two types of projects were established to encourage the participation of SMEs.

• Exploratory Awards
  

• Co-operative Research Actions (CRAFT)

Under CRAFT ‘SME Proposers’ can sub-contract parts of research to third parties, known as "RTD" performers. The ownership of the RTD results and the obligation of exploitation lie with the SMEs themselves. The RTD performer must not be affiliated in any way to the SME proposers. SME proposers must be eligible SMEs according to the criteria shown below, and there must be a minimum of 3 SMEs involved representing at least two EU Member States, or one Member State and one Associated Country.

SME Eligibility Criteria

• must have less than 250 employees
• must have either an annual turnover not exceeding 40M€ (£25 million) or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 27M€ (£17 million)
• not more than 25% of the organisation can be owned by an organisation that is not an SME (except public investment, venture capital companies or institutional investors)
• must not be a research centre, research institute, contract research organisation of a consulting company
• must be registered and operating in an EU Member State or in one of the countries associated to FP5

  ALL of the above criteria must be met to be eligible.
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have further queries, you may find them answered on our Frequently Asked Questions Page .

For further information on the ENERGIE Programme please contact the ENERGIE Helpline on 0161 874 3636 or email us at energie@enviros.com