1. EU Grants Advisor (EUGA)
Günter Schneider
EUGA Program Manager
Microsoft Corporation – EMEA Timezone

2. Agenda
Mission & summary
The EUGA „engine“
3 pillars
Benefits & USP
Geography
Results
Case study
You are invited  …

3. ICT drives 50% of EU growth,
Quote
ICT drives 50% of EU growth,
says Commission's Annual Report on the Digital Economy
(March 30, 2007)

4. Mission
“To stimulate economic growth across the European Union (and beyond), reinforcing Microsoft’s commitment to regional success by fuelling a competitive and innovative business environment for SMEs & LRGs as well as enhancing public-private partnerships.”

5. Summary
Multi-stakeholder partnership initiated by Microsoft to provide
awareness, consulting & support
to help SMEs & LRGs to
successfully apply for
EU, national, regional & local grants for
ICT related investments
(no matter if Microsoft is involved or not)

6. The EUGA „Engine“ Grants portal – AWARENESS
Dedicated & localized (language & content)
Free of charge
Overview of all ICT related public fundings
Grants consulting – HANDS-ON SUPPORT
Profound, individual consulting by …
In-house consultants – first eligibility check, free of charge
Local grants consulting agencies – application writing, sucess fee
MSP: EUGA consortia – ADVOCATING
PPP – together with industry partners, banks, telcos, chambers, municipalities, ministries, business associations…
Joint communication efforts
Best practice sharing & efficiency discussion with authorities
At EU level and in every country

7. EUGA The EUGA „Engine“ SMB & LRG Driving Consortiums Banks IT Players
EIB-EIF
SMB & LRG
EU Funds
Local Agencies in Member States
specialized in ICT Funds
Member
State
Intermediary
Banks
eContent, eTen, 6FP, IDA,…
Driving Consortiums
Region
Region
Banks IT
Players
Telecoms
Grants
Schemas
Bridge/Lending
Instruments
Chambers of
Commerce
Business
Associations
EUGA
EU Grants Advisor
Website

8. The EUGA “Pillars” Growth Innovation, R&D Training & Employability
EU Grants Advisor
Growth
Innovation, R&D
Training & Employability

9. Benefits for Applicants
Grants consulting – competent & individual
CASH (and/or)
Loans
Total funding up to 100% (!)
Faster & bigger projects
solution development
ICT implementation & modernization
training & development

10. USP – What Makes It So Special?
Focus on ICT
EU-wide database for all kind of ICT related public fundings
Covering all levels (EU, national, regional, local)
Not just information and basic consulting, but facilitation of the entire application process, including application writing
Network of consultants all over Europe

11. Geography Today  EU-21 (Bulgaria since Oct 1) By end of CY07  EU-27
Romania (Oct 26)
Latvia (Nov 9)
Estonia
Cyprus
Malta
Lithuania (tbc)
CY08  Evaluation of „beyond EU“ pilots
Turkey, Croatia…
CY09  „Global concept“

12. Results (as of August ´07)
Projects
Lifetime
August 2007
Total
2,998
123
Awards
585 14
Rejections
116 2
Resolution pending
133
Total success rate (lifetime)
84%
Awarded project size $ (lifetime)
      265,110,363
Grants awarded $ (lifetime)
      157,542,323

13. Case Study
The Social Care Institute of Habrovany, partnered with the Masaryk University of Brno, Czech Technical University of Prague, Paracentre Fénix, and the regional government of Southern Moravia, in order to create a training & employment program to help those with disabilities to obtain the European Computer Driving License (ECDL).
The project partners approached the local EUGA consultant to help them find an appropriate grant to apply for and to help facilitate its application process.
With the help of EUGA, the project partners successfully applied for EUR 190,000 from the Ministry for Social Funds. The grant helped cover the cost of the training workshop and feedback sessions.

14. Happy to discuss any ideas of possible cooperation !
You are invited to…
join the national consortia (MoU)
spread the news about new grants via EUGA in order to maximize grants absorption in your region
discuss your planned ICT investments with the national EUGA consultant of your country
Happy to discuss any ideas of possible cooperation !
Questions, issues, concerns: