The overall objective of this call for proposals is the establishment of a European Business and Technology Centre to improve links between European and Indian businesses and with Science and Technology (ST) stakeholders involving business, industry and public bodies with a view to promoting essentially EU interests in India and tap the fast-growing Indian economy. The centre will build synergies among the national chambers of commerce of EU Member States established in India; collaborate with the European business associations in India and Europe; provide an interface between public policy makers and private actors, and raise awareness about existing European programmes in the field of Science and Technology and business and industry cooperation. Considering the rapid economic growth in India, it is imperative for the EU to encourage partnerships, exchanges and joint ventures among the EU and India to tap the dynamic developments in the Indian economy.

The Centre is expected to target the following sectors: Environment (such as Clean Development Mechanism, Chemicals Management, Water Management and Waste Management); Climate Change including mitigation and adaptation technologies; Transport; Energy (renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean coal, and carbon capture and storage technologies) and Biotech; sectors where the EU business operators experience non-tariff barriers and market access constraints.

The Centre should be located in New Delhi (NCR) with a country-wide coverage.

Applicants must be legal persons and be nationals of a Member State of the European Union and be business or research intermediaries - promoting trade and investment and/or scientific cooperation between Europe and India and be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with their partners. Applicants must act with partner organisations. The minimum size of partnerships consists of the Lead Applicant with at least two partner organisations from different Member States of the European Union.

The European Commission has made 6.6 million euro available, representing up to 80 per cent of the cost. The successful applicant will have to provide a minimum of 20 per cent of the cost for the proposed action.

The deadline for the submission of proposals is 30 May 2008.

The Delegation of the European Commission intends to organise an Information Meeting on 22 April 2008 at 11 a.m. at 65 Golf Links New Delhi.