Which funding sources for which topics from 2014 onwards? The question is at the heart of the AER information cycle on European funding, which kicked-off in September, and was pursued at the occasion of two sessions, held on 29 October in Strasbourg and on 5 November in Brussels.

Information session on funding opportunities for youth-related projects

The objective was to present different possible angles for financing youth-related projects, in the context of the European Social Fund (ESF) but not only. The new ERASMUS + framework programme was also presented, as well as the possibilities offered beyond the European Union by the European Youth Foundation. About 40 participants attended this session with Jean-Claude Lazaro, Head of the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.

Information session on funding opportunities for regional innovation

At the occasion of the AER Conference “The answer is innovation”, this information session gathered about 30 participants around Dimitri Corpakis, from DG Research and Innovation and Helen Köpman, from DG Connect. The Horizon 2020 framework programme was presented, in particular the (limited) funding opportunities for regions. The main funding source for regional innovation remains the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), whose main measures dedicated to innovation were explained in details. Finally, the new “ICT Innovation Voucher” was introduced to the participants. It will allow regions to financially support SME access to new Information and Communication Technologies.