In the framework of the Latvian Presidency in the Council of the EU and hosted by the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, the European Defence Agency organises a European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) seminar on June 29 at the Latvian War Museum in Riga.
The seminar in Riga aims at raising awareness, transferring know-how and building capacity on ESIF by essentially targeting industry, academia and other research institutes, MoDs and other relevant agencies/ministries in Baltic countries. The seminar focuses on delivering specific and very concrete sub-sessions where participants are coached and can learn how to actually prepare and submit ESIF proposals.
Since 2013, EDA has delivered similar seminars in Portugal, Bulgaria, Poland, Ireland, Romania, Greece, Finland, Czech Republic, Croatia. Around 1,100 experts have attended so far. ESIF seminars support dialogue and contacts between MoDs and national/ regional ESIF Managing Authorities thus facilitating reciprocal cooperation.
Participation & registration
Representatives from government organisations, national defence industries, research and technology organisations, universities as well as enterprises of the Baltic States are kindly welcome to take part in the upcoming ESIF seminar.
Registration before June 22 is mandatory in order to participate in the seminar.
Please register sending an e-mail to ESIFworkshop@mod.gov.lv or by fax: +371 67335171, indicating your title, name and surname, country, as well as the organisation, institution or company you represent, position, as well as e-mail and your phone number.
After submitting the information participants will receive a confirmation. Places are limited and will be granted at a first come, first served basis.
Background
Recently the European Commission underlined "the importance of cross border market access for SMEs”. Guidelines on EU funding for dual-use projects are available here http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/defence/defence-industrial-policy/smes/index_en.htm.
To promote access to the funding for the SMEs operating in the defence sector, the European Commission works in partnership with the European Defence Agency.
Participants of the workshop will have an opportunity to learn from the representatives of the European Commission and the European Defence Agency about the different EU funds available and support activities to facilitate their access. Speakers from the ESIF managing authority of each of the Baltic States will also be invited to inform participants about the national priorities and procedures to access the EU funding. The Latvian Security National Contact Point representative will provide information on research innovation and smart specialisation strategy. Along with the institutional speakers, a short practical coaching session will be provided by EY (Ernst&Young).
More information