The European Commission and the European Investment Fund (EIF) today launched a €121 million guarantee initiative to support SMEs in the cultural and creative sectors via financial institutions. This scheme is expected to create more than €600 million worth of bank loans over the next six years.

The Hellenic Forum is organized for the 4th consequent year by the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” and is under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event envisages opportunities for the development of links and affiliations between members of the research community and industry as well as distinguished scientists living and working abroad. Over its five days duration, a broad range of topics will be covered around Nanotechnology, Energy & Environment, Life Sciences and ICT.

This Study brings light to the economic factors that contribute to sustainable growth in the European Union (EU) and investigates the political feasibility of economic reforms enhancing such factors. It also explores the aspects influencing competitiveness and fostering convergence and cohesion at EU and Member State levels.

Design for Europe is excited to announce that its 2016 summit will be hosted in Tallinn, Estonia, the European hub for cutting-edge innovation and entrepreneurship, on Thursday 6 October. Join us for this free, day-long event that will demonstrate the transformational effect of design within European businesses and governments and provide solutions for future economic growth. Special guests and key speakers will include contributors from the European Commission, policymakers at regional and national levels as well as representatives from business organisations, such as Google, and networks across the design and innovation industries.

Corruption in public procurement harms the public interest, undermines public trust and has a negative impact on people’s lives. However, tackling effectively corrupt and fraudulent activities is a challenging task and requires a complex approach. Civil society as effective anti-corruption actor can give a valuable input in promoting transparency, accountability and preventing corruption.

The EU cohesion policy aims to narrow the development gaps and reduce disparities among EU Member States and regions. With a budget of €454 billion for 2014-20, the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) are the European Union's main investment policy tool to for supporting job creation and boosting growth.

This week, the European Association of Guarantee Institutions (AECM) is organising its annual general assembly combined with a seminar on the transfer of businesses, followed by a global summit of SME guarantee organisation leaders. This three-day event in Porto brings together AECM members and policy makers from around the globe to discuss the European and global situation of SME's access to finance and the specific role that guarantee institutions play.

EISS project peer-learning workshop took place in KEPA’s premises (leader partner) in Thessaloniki, from 13^th to 16^th June. This 4-day workshop aimed at exchanging expertise among the three partners (KEPA – Greece, Friuli Innovazione – Italy & NORRIA – Hungary), concerning the collaboratively address of  a common innovation support challenge.

Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy will combine efforts and leadership to accelerate climate action at the local level worldwide. The world’s two primary city-led climate change and energy initiatives, the EU Covenant of Mayors and the Compact of Mayors, announced the formation of a new, first-of-its-kind global initiative of cities and local governments leading in the fight against climate change.

Today the High Level Group on Simplification is meeting in Brussels to discuss the issue of gold-plating in the access to and management of the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds. "Gold-plating" refers to the administrative extra-requirements added by the national and local authorities in charge of managing the funds and imposed to the beneficiaries.