In this second issue of the Newsletter epSOS presents the latest and most important achievements and activities of the epSOS project, as well as a forecast on upcoming actions. In the course of the year 2012, the epSOS pilot operation phase will be initiated and will last for one year. By implementing epSOS services, participating nations take an important step towards the goals of the EU directive on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare.

Now part of our everyday life, the Internet has become a basic utility for homes and businesses in the same way as electricity or water. Affordable, reliable and secure broadband connectivity is essential to making full use of the services that the Internet offers nowadays.

This guide provides all stakeholders with user-friendly information on the different funding sources. It includes a description of each fund, advice for policy makers and an innovative Checklist and Scorecard. The Checklist and Scorecard allow potential beneficiaries to quickly identify exactly how they can access European funding at every stage of the development and implementation of a project.

The 7th Framework Programme provides financial support for transnational research for and by SMEs wishing to innovate and improve their competitiveness, by enhancing their investment in research activities to acquire new knowledge for growth in Europe’s knowledge-based economy. Four specific Programmes comprise the major building blocks of FP7, three of which have direct relevance for SMEs. These are: the Cooperation Programme which will promote collaborative research; the People Programme which will develop human potential; and the Capacities Programme which will strengthen research capacity. This publication is designed as a step-by-step guide showing SMEs exactly where and how they can obtain funding to help their businesses grow.

Leaflet explaining the basics on the 7th Framework Programme and the ICT elements within it, the 7 key Research Challenges, the budget breakwdown, the i2010 Flagship Initiatives, the European Technology Platforms and Joint Technology Initiatives.

A short (16 page) brochure on the impact of Information and Communication Technologies on European employment, competitive ness and inclusion. Available in English.

This newsletter provides updated information on the activities organised in Communications Technologies in the framework of the Information Society Technologies research of the European Commission. The June 2006 issue is now available.

The European Charter for Small Enterprises supports small enterprises, in particular by improving their legislative and administrative framework. During its six years of existence, the Charter has become a core document of SME policy. It is now the reference frame for 44 countries and it is also used at regional policy-making level. The Commission has produced an electronic catalogue and brochure containing 40 examples of good practice to promote entrepreneurship, whittled down from the 155 submitted by Member States, Norway, Bulgaria and Romania.

The 5th issue of Synergy analyses how European public bodies may benefit from Open Source Software. Its main actions focus on saving on license costs and potentially on administration and development costs. Collaboration, sharing of ideas and code also constitute an integral part of it. Synergy is the quarterly publication of IDABC, the Community programme that focuses on the cross-border dimension and interoperability of e-government services in Europe.

'European Innovation' takes over from 'Innovation and Technology Transfer' as a key source of information on the latest developments in innovation policy and practice in the EU

Under its presidency of the EU, the UK will be overseeing the launch of a communication on 'SME Policy for Growth and Jobs'

How tourist information is presented to web users, B2B tourism and a case study (Scotland)

A Review of European innovation and enterprise: knowledge society and public service, competitiveness and technology

Getting on with business - last issue (April-June 05) of the Enterprise Europe Newsletter

New SME definition and a model declaration to be used when applying to SME support schemes

For European SMEs, there may be more mouths to feed, but the cake is bigger

Using our resources better: last European Business Summit, third Community Innovation Survey, third edition of the Innobarometer, dossier on women entrepreneurs

A portrait of e-business in 10 sectors of the EU economy

This issue of Euroabstracts, bimonthly review published on CORDIS, features an interview with Dr Knut Blind, the leader of a recently published investigation into how regulatory frameworks affect the innovation process.