A brief overview for U.S. companies
Projects that benefit the environment may be eligible for EU funding
What types of projects receive funding? The European Union provides substantial funds to help EU Member States comply with strict EU environmental regulations, improve communications and transportation, improve public administration, and promote economic convergence.
Who can apply? U.S. companies are eligible to compete for EU funds in most cases, though they may need an EU partner or an EU subsidiary for certain projects.
What are the odds? The EU application process can look long and daunting, but if you have prior experience with any government contracting the process will be familiar. Viable projects that submit qualified applications and that fit well into a funding priority have a good chance of receiving support.
What will I need to do? If you want to take a strategic approach to funding your project, you’ll need to put in some effort.
- Together with a regional or municipal government, identify a program that fits your product.
- Locate an EU partner.
- Develop a grant application for a project in your area of expertise.
What about tenders? Public procurement requests in the environmental sector can be found in the European Union’s Tenders Electronic Daily (TED). The U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Mission to the EU has a link to EU tenders on its website where companies can search tenders by sector (see below).
What’s the first step? We suggest you:
- Familiarize yourself with EU programs and requirements. (We can help give you a good head-start on accessing EU funding.)
- Develop one or two general concepts for EU-funded projects to pursue. (Look at our Hot Leads section for ideas)
- Come to the EU to find a local partner and have preliminary meetings with government counterparts. (The U.S. Commercial Service can assist you in identifying suitable partners through our Gold Key Service.)
Resources and Contact information
The U.S. Commercial Service in Europe:
Get in touch with the U.S. Commercial Service environment specialists in your country of interest: Directory . . .
U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Mission to the European Union:
The U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Mission to the EU offers business counseling services and advocacy to U.S. companies interested in responding to EU tenders and accessing EU funded programs. CS EU has also drafted several reports that offer guidance for U.S. companies.
http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/eu_funds.html
http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/market_research.html
http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/eu_tenders.html
Isabelle Maelcamp, EU Funding Advisor
Email: isabelle.maelcamp@mail.doc.gov
U.S. Commercial Service at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD): The U.S. commercial Service has a liaison office located inside the EBRD. CS EBRD works to increase the effectiveness of U.S. participation in EBRD and inform U.S. companies of EBRD opportunities. CS EBRD also offers guidance to U.S. companies throughout the project cycle.
Alice Davenport, Senior Commercial Officer/EBRD Liaison Officer
Email: alice.davenport@mail.doc.gov
Tel: +44 20 7588 8481
http://www.buyusa.gov/ebrd/
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD): Like the IFC, EBRD can either work independently, or arrange co-financing packages in conjunction with other multilateral government and private institutions.
Alain Pilloux, Director, PCSB Team London HQ, tel.: (+44 171) 338-6561, fax: (+44 171) 338-7199.
http://www.ebrd.org
European Union: Although the Member States determine what projects to fund, the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, defines the framework, allocates funds and enforces funding rules.
http://europa.eu.int/grants/index_en.htm
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/funding/intro_en.htm
European Investment Bank (EIB): EIB is the EU long term financing institution; its goal is to contribute towards the integration, balanced development and economic and social cohesion of the Member Countries.
http://www.eib.org
The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium: AmCham EU has several publications that may be of interest to U.S. firms interested in increasing their business opportunities in the EU, including:
- Business Guide to EU Enlargement and Wider Europe
- EU Environment Guide 2004
- EU Information Handbook 2004
Visit the AmCham EU website for further details
http://www.amchameu.be
Consultants
There are a number of consulting firms that can offer assistance in structuring financing for environmental technology projects in Europe. These include:
LEMNA International, Inc.
2445 Park Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN55404
USA
AttivaCorp
5529 Whitley Park Terrace
Bethesda, MD 20814
USA
If your company provides these services and you'd like to be listed on this page, please email Veronika.Novakova@mail.doc.gov
Links to web sites outside the U.S. Federal Government or the use of trade, firm, or corporation names within the International Trade Administration web sites are for the convenience of the user. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the U.S. Commerce Department of any private sector website, product, or service.
