#eu innovation funding

[argentumconsultants]

Horizon Europe stands as the European Union's most ambitious research and innovation framework program, succeeding Horizon 2020. Envisioned as a catalyst for scientific excellence and technological breakthroughs, Horizon Europe boasts a substantial budget allocation, underscoring the EU's commitment to advancing research and innovation. The program spans seven years, running from 2021 to 2027, and encompasses various pillars aimed at addressing societal challenges, promoting industrial competitiveness, and reinforcing the European Research Area.

[trendynewsnow]

Ekaterina Zaharieva Approved as EU's First Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation

Today, Ekaterina Zaharieva, Bulgaria’s designated EU Commissioner, received a significant endorsement from lawmakers, positioning her to become the bloc’s inaugural Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation. This pivotal role comes with a commitment to engage national finance ministers in meaningful discussions aimed at enhancing investment across Europe. Zaharieva, representing the…

[head-post]

EIF to launch €175-million investment in defence innovation and SMEs

The European Investment Fund (EIF) launched a €175-million fund, dubbed the Defence Equity Facility (DEF), on Friday to foster defence innovation around EU’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“The European Commission and the European Investment Bank Group are stepping up cooperation to support investments in innovative defence technologies by launching a €175 million Defence Equity Facility that aims to support private equity and venture capital funds investing in innovative defence technologies having dual-use potential.”

The EIF stated that the fund aimed to “stimulate the development of an ecosystem of private funds” investing in defence innovation and to improve access to finance “for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)” operating in this field.

EU defence companies complain of having limited access to private and public funds as banks’ readiness to lend is declining, limiting the industry’s investment opportunities. Defence ministers voiced support for the sector in November last year.

Read more HERE

[kebriones]

My dad, despite being a classicist, because of his phd in AI, is working at a research/Innovation institute that does a lot of stuff on a europe level and he attends a lot of eu innovation conferences etc.

And he told me it's frightening how even Europe is slowly and sneakily moving away from funding "green" projects. They're calling them sustainable now, so it sounds like it's the same, but eco-friendly policies and research are slowly slipping to the sidelines, because the pressure from companies etc is so large.

Oh also he said so much research within the eu that was supposedly never to be used for military matters is now being termed "dual use" so again it doesn't sound so bad, but what it means is that it's being used for military reasons.

[probablyasocialecologist]

“The power of the animal farming sector, both in the US and in Europe, and the political influence they have is just gigantic,” said Prof Eric Lambin, who conducted the study with Dr Simona Vallone, both at Stanford University, US. The researchers concluded that “powerful vested interests exerted their political influence to maintain the system unchanged and to obstruct competition created by technological innovations”. Lambin said: “We found that the amazing obstacles to the upscaling of the alternative technologies relates to public policies that still massively fund the incumbent system, when we know it’s really part of the problem in terms of climate change, biodiversity loss and some health issues.” The researchers said that tackling the problem would require government policies that ensured the price of meat reflected its environmental costs, potentially via taxation, increased research on alternatives, and better informed consumers.

[...]

The study, published in the journal One Earth, analysed the major EU and US agricultural policies from 2014 to 2020. It found the amount of public money spent on plant-based alternatives was just $42m (£33m) – 0.1% of the £35bn spent on meat and dairy. The former accounted for 1.5% of all sales. In the EU, cattle farmers got at least 50% of their income from direct subsidies. For research and innovation spending, 97% went to animal farmers, with almost all of these funds aimed at improving production.

[eretzyisrael]

Good News From Israel

In the 21st Jul 24 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

Even the loss of limbs cannot defeat the Israeli spirit.

Israeli computer-brain interface breakthrough could restore the power of speech.

An Israeli surgical device can transform the lives of millions of heart patients.

Israeli tech enables those with impaired speech to access the Internet.

An Israeli food additive makes cooking oil safe for re-use.

The FBI used Israeli tech to access cellphone of would-be assassin.

In the latest EU Horizon investment round, the 3rd most funds went to Israel.

A Haredi community hosted 180 secular Nova survivors for Shabbat.

Read More: Good News From Israel

This week's edition includes Israeli innovations that reveal the early signs of life-threatening diseases; also, that locked-in patients can be given the ability to speak; that the voice-impaired can gain the freedom of the Internet; and that intellectually disadvantaged students can obtain university degrees.

It reveals that Jerusalem's Jews and Arabs can sing together; that Arabs from Morocco want to see the real Israel; and that there are many nations of the world that support Israel's fight against terrorism. This newsletter also reveals the amazing spirit of Israelis, determined to continue to rebuild their lives and benefit society, even after the devastating events of Oct 7.

Among the many Israeli technical breakthroughs, the US has again used Israeli security technology to reveal the secrets of a would-be assassin's cellphone. And the massive European funding for Israeli startups reveals just how much the world needs Israeli technology.

Finally, as the International Court of Justice bleats that Israel cannot occupy its own land, archaeologists reveal and display thousands of Jewish relics proving the Biblical bond between the Jewish people and all of the Land of Israel.

 (NEXT NEWSLETTER - 4th AUG)

[tomorrowusa]

Thanks to Ukrainian drones, the Russian guided missile corvette Ivanovets is now sleeping with the fishes. BTW, great vid above! 🇺🇦❤️

Ukraine thought to have sunk Russian warship near occupied Crimea

Ukrainian forces are believed to have sunk the Russian Ivanovets warship near occupied Crimea in a sophisticated overnight attack by multiple sea drones, demonstrating Kyiv’s expanding power in the Black Sea. Ukraine’s military intelligence published a grainy video showing several sea drones attacking the Russian corvette, ending with three dramatic images showing it listing, exploding and sinking into the water. Ukraine said the boat had been sunk, as did leading Russian military bloggers. Hours later, western officials said they believed the warship had been destroyed in an attack that used long range uncrewed drones. [ ... ] Russia did not immediately comment on the incident, but a number of pro-Kremlin military bloggers close to Moscow confirmed that the Ivanovets warship was hit. [ ... ] Although Ukraine began the war with no navy, scuttling its only frigate to prevent it from falling into Russian hands, Kyiv has gradually pushed back on Moscow’s early dominance of the Black Sea through long range missile attacks and the innovative use of sea drones.

Considering that the Vermont National Guard probably has more military ships than Ukraine, the Ukrainian Navy now terrifies the Russian Black Sea fleet. There's little Russian presence in the western part of the sea these days.

The Ivanovets probably thought it was safe where it was anchored. It was in a body of water called Lake Donuzlav in occupied Crimea. Though it is more like a bay with a narrow opening to the Black Sea.

^^^ That opening is just 435 meters wide, a little over 4.5 US football fields. But Ukrainian sea drone pilots managed to navigate several of their kamikaze vessels into the bay without being detected up to that point.

The sinking of the Ivanovets is just one of several bits of good news for Ukraine in the past few days.

Putin toady Viktor Orbán, the homophobic leader of Turkey Hungary, was forced to back down from his threat to block €50 billion in aid to Ukraine.

EU agrees €50bn package for Ukraine as Viktor Orbán bows to pressure

A robust and united position among EU member states convinced Viktor Orbán to end his “blackmail” and support a €50bn (£43bn) funding package for Ukraine, European prime ministers have said. The Hungarian prime minister, who had been vowing to block the funds since December, performed one of the fastest U-turns seen at a leaders’ summit after six weeks of brinkmanship. There was relief that the deal was finally done but also a sense of fury among leaders who had been dragged to Brussels for the second time in as many months to try to get the package over the line after Orbán blocked the aid in December. The Finnish prime minister, Petteri Orpo, said: “Nobody can blackmail 26 countries of the EU. Our values were not for sale.” Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, who said he had “nothing nice” to say to the Hungarian prime minister, warned there would be no reward for Orbán or anyone who had tried to solicit “rotten compromises”.

Also, Dark Brandon strikes again! President Biden is using his discretionary powers as commander-in-chief to get some military aid to Ukraine while the House Putin Caucus at the direction of sex offender Donald Trump continues to block Biden's $61 billion aid package.

First Ecuador, Now Greece: Joe Biden Is Finding More And More Countries To Help Him Arm Ukraine

“Ring-trade.” Remember that term. Increasingly, it’s how U.S. president Joe Biden is arming Ukraine. He did it with Ecuador. Now he’s doing it with Greece, too. A ring-trade is, in essence, a circular swap. One country pays or arms a second country so the second country can arm a third country. Germany pioneered the ring-trade—Ringtausch—for supporting Ukraine, most notably giving to... The Czech Republic: 14 Leopard 2 tanks and an engineering vehicle in exchange for the Czech Republic having given to Ukraine potentially dozens of T-72 tanks; Greece: 40 Marder fighting vehicles so that Greece could donate to Ukraine 40 BMP-1 fighting vehicles; Slovakia: 15 Leopard 2A4s to compensate for 30 BVP-1 fighting vehicles Slovakia donated to Ukraine. Slovenia: 45 military-grade heavy trucks so that Slovenia would give to Ukraine 28 M-55S tanks. The United States with its greater stocks of old weapons eventually could surpass Germany as a ring-trader. And it has every reason to do so. For four months now, a small contingent of pro-Russia Republican lawmakers, led by the extremist speaker of the U.S. House Mike Johnson, has blocked $61 billion in new U.S. government funding for Ukraine’s war effort. In early January, Ecuadorian president Daniel Noboa revealed in a radio interview that Ecuador would give to the United States “scrap” weapons in exchange for new weapons—worth $200 million—that the United States would provide at a later date. The United States then would donate the “scrap” to Ukraine. Some of that old hardware apparently shipped aboard an Antonov An-124 airlifter on Jan. 25. [ ... ] According to Greek newspaper Kathimerini and other media, the Biden administration offered the government in Athens three 87-foot Protector-class patrol boats, two Lockheed Martin C-130H airlifters, 10 Allison T56 turboprop engines for Lockheed P-3 patrol planes plus 60 M-2 Bradley fighting vehicles and a consignment of transport trucks. In exchange for this largess, the Americans want the Greeks to donate more weapons to the Ukrainians. “We continue to be interested in the defense capabilities that Greece could transfer or sell to Ukraine,” Blinken wrote. The Greek government reportedly already has earmarked old weapons for onward transfer to the government in Kyiv. As with Ecuador, the trade could involve air-defense equipment: S-300 and Hawk long-range missiles and launchers and Tor and Osa short-range missiles and launchers. This indirect U.S. support of Ukraine via ring-trades is necessary because, starting in October, Republicans in the U.S. Congress made it clear they probably never will approve additional direct military aid to Ukraine. [ ... ] [L]ook for Biden to get more creative as Republican intransigence persists. The president even could donate excess defense articles directly to Ukraine, and in large quantities, assuming Ukraine or some other country pays for shipping.

[mariacallous]

The United States is the world’s dominant financial and technological power. China is the global manufacturing hegemon. What is Europe’s economic leverage? That question lies at the core of a recent report by former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi. In a nutshell, Draghi argues that the European Union is facing huge economic challenges that could soon make the bloc irrelevant on the global economic scene. This may sound like an alarmist take. Yet a deep dive into U.S., Chinese, and European economic data shows that Draghi’s analysis is spot on. The EU needs to overhaul its economic model—starting with the way it approaches the financing of innovation—if it wants to avoid being squeezed between the United States and China.

The causes of Europe’s economic woes are structural. Demographics and productivity growth determine long-term economic prospects, and the EU is not doing well on either metric. Take demographics: Primarily because of low fertility rates, the EU’s workforce could shrink by around 2 million workers each year by 2040. Europe’s poor demographic prospects will have important ripple effects, not least because financing growing public health care and pension costs will prove increasingly tricky as Europeans age. Things do not look better for productivity, which has grown at a modest 0.7 percent per year on average since 2015—less than half the U.S. rate and a mere one-ninth of China’s reported figure over the same period. One data point says it all: In 1995, U.S. and EU productivity was broadly similar. Today, Europe’s productivity is about 20 percent below America’s.

Economists have long debated the causes of Europe’s meager productivity. The long list of culprits includes low labor mobility, overwhelming red tape, and flaws in the education system. Low EU expenses on research and development, however, stand out as one of the main drivers of the growing productivity gap between the U.S. and EU economies. The data is striking: At $886 billion, or 3.4 percent of GDP, in 2022, U.S. R&D expenses were more than twice as high as the EU’s, at $382 billion, or 2.3 percent of GDP. China is not far behind; the country is already the world’s biggest spender on public R&D and is catching up fast in private spending as well. On this measure, the United States and China are giving themselves the means to succeed in the global transition toward high-tech, digitalized economies. Meanwhile, the EU is lagging far behind.

There is not much that EU policymakers can do to improve the bloc’s demographic outlook. The main potential fix would entail continued large-scale immigration far into the future, but the growing appeal of populist, far-right parties makes this course unlikely. On productivity growth, however, European policymakers have scope to act.

On this front, the Draghi report calls for a financial electroshock to boost R&D spending. His team of economists reckons that the EU needs to spend an extra 750 billion to 800 billion euros per year to close the gap with the United States and ensure that the bloc does not fall far further behind its competitors. Such an investment push would be huge. It would represent around 5 percent of EU GDP each year—a massive amount by any standard. This is precisely why it is unlikely to happen.

The private sector alone would not be able to shoulder such eye-popping costs. In turn, the fate of Draghi’s calls for an investment push will hinge on Europe’s ability to massively boost public spending on R&D. In theory, this scale of funding could be done through joint EU borrowing, which was first used in 2020, when EU member states gave the European Commission the green light to issue up to 750 billion euros in bonds to finance the post-COVID economic recovery. Yet this time, joint borrowing does not appear to be in the cards. Shortly after the release of the Draghi report, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner declared that “joint borrowing will not solve the EU’s structural problems.” With Germany saying nein, Draghi’s proposal for EU bonds looks dead for the foreseeable future.

Even if Draghi’s calls for a huge investment push are likely to remain unheeded, the bloc still has options to boost innovation spending—for free. On this front, Europe could seek to fix two well-known issues for European start-ups: fragmented public funding across EU member states and sectors as well as a relative dearth of private venture capital.

On fragmentation of public support, the Draghi report makes a simple observation. The 27 EU member states all offer one form or another of financial support to some technological sectors they deem to be critical. Taken together, the amounts are far from trivial. However, there is catch. The lack of EU-wide collaboration to identify a few priority sectors means that a multitude of industries are receiving little money, hindering the emergence of European technology champions.

This situation calls for a bold remedy: EU member states should identify a handful of critical sectors and jointly go big in these fields. Crucially, this does not mean favoring specific firms in an attempt to pick winners and distort competition. Nor does it mean that each EU member state should pick its own pet projects and ask the EU to subsidize their development. And of course, the bloc should also refrain from sustaining zombie firms that would be unprofitable without infusions of taxpayers’ cash.

Instead, what this means is that the EU should create an EU-level structure to identify and fund priority sectors, essentially transferring to EU institutions the responsibility to spell out which sectors should receive public R&D money in a bid to foster the emergence of a more coherent EU financing landscape. Frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing would be obvious sectors for the EU to go all in. The data is stark: More than 80 percent of global AI funding goes to U.S. or Chinese firms compared with just 7 percent to EU businesses. The gap is similarly striking for quantum computing. Seven of the top 10 global firms in the field are U.S.-based. Two are Chinese, and one is Japanese; none is European. In these two fields, the pooling of resources across EU member states could go a long way to bridge the divide between Europe and its competitors.

The emergence of EU tech champions would come with an added benefit: It would lift Europe’s place on the radar of global venture capital funds. Since 2013, about five times more venture capital has gone into U.S. start-ups than European ones. The lack of such funding in Europe comes with dramatic consequences for EU startups: Of the 147 unicorns (start-ups whose value stands above $1 billion) that have emerged in the EU since 2008, about one-third eventually relocated abroad, mostly to the United States, often because they could not find sufficient financing in Europe to grow their operations. Of course, streamlining the hodgepodge of EU and national regulations would also come a long way to boost Europe’s attractiveness to venture capital funds.

There is little chance that EU policymakers will answer Draghi’s calls for a massive investment boost. Yet even absent a huge financing push, the bloc still has ways to boost productivity growth in a bid to remain relevant on the global economic scene. Granted, these measures would not be enough to bridge the gap between Europe and its competitors. What they could do is slow down the bloc’s economic demise.

The stakes are high: Without an overhaul of EU innovation financing, the likeliest scenario is that the bloc will continue to fall further behind the United States and China in the global race for economic might, technological prowess, and geopolitical relevance. What’s more, Europe will struggle to finance its generous social model without sustained economic growth. Tackling Europe’s productivity gap should be at the top of the to-do list of the new European Commission.

[blueiscoool]

Ancient Latin Texts Written on Papyrus Reveal New Information About The Roman World

Researchers funded by the European Union have deciphered ancient Latin texts written on papyrus. This work could reveal a lot about Roman society and education, as well as how Latin’s influence spread.

Although the number of Latin texts found on papyrus dating from the first century BCE to the eighth century CE has grown as a result of new archaeological discoveries, these texts are frequently not given the attention they require. Therefore, they represent a vast untapped source of information and insight into the development of ancient Roman literature, language, history, and society.

Latin texts on papyrus in particular could provide information about the period’s literary and linguistic emigration. This might also reveal more about the educational environment, and paint a clearer picture of the Roman economy and society.

New approach to Latin texts

The EU-funded PLATINUM project, which was funded by the European Research Council, was launched to achieve just this. It began with a preliminary census of existing Latin texts on papyrus, in order to assemble and update collections.

“A key innovation was the multidisciplinary way we worked on these texts, bringing them under the spotlights of Latinists, linguists, historians – of Classicists, in general,” explains PLATINUM project coordinator Maria Chiara Scappaticcio from the University of Naples Federico II in Italy.

This work was pulled together to produce the Corpus of Latin Texts on Papyrus, six volumes of which will shortly be published by Cambridge University Press. “This is the major output of the project,” adds Scappaticcio.

“This work collects all the texts of interest, and offers scholars a reference source and tool. Its importance is clear when one compares what we knew about Latin papyri before PLATINUM, and what we know today.”

Groundbreaking linguistic findings

Several interesting findings were made in the course of the project. These include the startling discovery of Seneca the Elder’s Histories. “None of us could have imagined that such an important work would be found in one of the charred papyri from Herculaneum,” says Scappaticcio. “A new chapter in Latin literature has been rewritten thanks too PLATINUM.”

In addition, many previously unknown texts are now circulating among scholars as a result of the project’s work. The team has helped to forge new partnerships and exchanges between academic and cultural institutions.

“We also discovered the only known Latino-Arabic papyrus,” remarks Scappaticcio. “In this text, the Arabic language has been transliterated in Latin script. This text is unique and provides evidence of interactions between Latin language and culture, and Arabic language and culture in the early medieval Mediterranean.”

Cultural interactions uncovered

The PLATINUM project has helped to shine new light on the spread of Latin, especially in the provinces of the Late Antique Roman Empire.

Careful examination of the actual books, tools and materials that were circulating at the time has provided insights into, for example, how Latin was taught as a foreign language.

“We know now that Latin literature was circulating in the Eastern Roman Empire, and how this literature might have shaped knowledge,” notes Scappaticcio. “One of the main reasons for learning Latin, for example, was the necessity of familiarising oneself with Roman law.”

Scappaticcio believes that this research will benefit not only ancient historians and classical philologists, literates and linguists, but also cultural historians. “The work has opened the door to better understanding cultural interactions at the time,” she says.

“The work of PLATINUM touches on Roman Orientalism, as an aspect of multiculturalism in Antiquity and Late Antiquity.”

By Leman Altuntaş.

[master-john-uk]

Since 2015 my farm has been involved with trialling new, and more environmentally-friendly methods of farming.

We have not received any direct funding from the UK government. We work with two universities who have contributed towards the cost of our experimental projects, and we received several grants/rebates from the EU... before Brexit, of course!

UK Gov often spouts that it supports small farms, but it has done little in real terms to prove this. £14m is like pissing in a 200 litre keg of Spanish white wine... there is no noticeable difference!

[argentumconsultants]

Decoding EU Funding Directions: Where is the Money Going? In an era of rapid technological advancement and global economic competition, securing funding for innovation and business growth is paramount. The European Union (EU) stands as a prominent supporter of innovation and business development, offering a multitude of funding opportunities to fuel progress and competitiveness. However, navigating the landscape of EU funding can be daunting, with various programs and initiatives catering to different sectors and objectives. In this article, we embark on a journey to decode EU funding directions, shedding light on where the money is going and how businesses and innovators can tap into these opportunities.

[worldestate-homes]

💎 Buying Real Estate in Poland for Foreigners: Step-by-Step Guide 💎 Poland is a popular destination for investors and those seeking stability and quality of life. The property purchasing process for foreigners has its specifics. Follow this step-by-step guide to simplify your experience. 1️⃣ Understand the Purchasing Rules Foreigners can freely purchase apartments and flats in Poland, except for plots of land or properties in border and rural areas, which require approval from the Ministry of the Interior. What can be bought without restrictions? Apartments in multi-story buildings. Commercial property without land. Properties in major cities (e.g., Warsaw, Krakow, Wrocław). 2️⃣ Prepare the Documents Foreigners will need: A passport (or another ID). PESEL number (if applicable). Proof of funds source (required for transferring large sums). Opening a bank account and future transactions may require a NIP (Polish tax identification number). 3️⃣ Find the Right Property The Polish real estate market offers a wide variety of options: from city-center apartments in Warsaw to cozy homes in Krakow suburbs. It is advisable to hire a licensed realtor to: Avoid scams. Conduct a proper property evaluation. Identify hidden costs (e.g., unpaid utilities). 4️⃣Check Legal Validity of the Property Consult a lawyer to verify: The Land and Mortgage Register (Księga Wieczysta) for ownership, encumbrances, and liabilities. Compliance with construction standards and absence of land disputes. 5️⃣ Sign a Preliminary Agreement A preliminary agreement (Umowa Przedwstępna) safeguards both parties and outlines: Property price. Timeline for completing the transaction. Deposit amount (usually 10-20%). At this stage, the buyer transfers the deposit into a special account. 6️⃣ Finalize the Deal A notary is required for the final agreement. They prepare: The final purchase contract. Registration in the land registry. Important! Polish law mandates payment of notary fees and taxes, approximately 2-3% of the property's value. 7️⃣ Payment and Transfer of Ownership After signing the agreement, full payment is made. The buyer then obtains ownership rights, recorded in the real estate register. Popular Regions for Buying Warsaw: Economic hub with a high standard of living. Krakow: Cultural capital and tourist hotspot. Wrocław: European center of innovation with affordable prices. Gdańsk: A coastal city with a mild maritime climate. Why Choose Poland? Stable real estate market. Simple procedures for EU and non-EU citizens. High rental yield (up to 5-7% annually). Begin your journey into the Polish real estate market today!

[skillzme]

Marine Litter

Marine Litter is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Every day 1,000,000 individual pieces of litter enter the sea. Marine litter poses an escalating threat to the biodiversity of our oceans. With EU funding, Europe's leading centres of excellence have launched a multidisciplinary initiative to address this issue, combining social efforts with a variety of advanced technological solutions.

An estimated 19-23 million tonnes of plastic enter aquatic environments annually, a figure projected to rise to 54 million tonnes by 2030. This escalating issue calls for urgent action. To address this, the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 aims to reduce plastic waste in the sea by at least 50% and cut microplastics released into the environment by 30%, in alignment with the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan. Through the development, demonstration, and implementation of innovative solutions, the Mission seeks to prevent and eliminate pollution, while protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. Furthermore, the EU’s 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, a key component of the European Green Deal, focuses on restoring ocean health. A central goal is to protect 30% of the EU's seas by 2030, with 10% of that under strict protection. To tackle these challenges, EU-funded researchers are studying how plastics are transported to the ocean and exploring sustainable, biodegradable alternatives for plastic packaging. They are also working on improving waste and wastewater management and enhancing recycling technologies. A Plastic-Free Ocean, A Dream This new CORDIS Results Pack highlights 12 EU-funded Horizon research projects aimed at reducing the impact of marine litter, addressing the issue from source to sea through prevention, elimination, mitigation, and monitoring. Marine life can become entangled in plastic, leading to blockages in their digestive tracts that hinder feeding and result in behavioral changes. Additionally, invasive species such as crabs, mollusks, and even fish can travel across the ocean by attaching themselves to or inhabiting plastic waste.The Pack emphasizes the potential for these solutions to be scaled, replicated, and adopted by various stakeholders responsible for implementing measures to reduce pollution at local and regional levels. The outcomes of these projects will contribute to the EU’s objective of cutting plastic pollution to levels that are no longer harmful to human health or natural ecosystems while staying within the planet's environmental limits and creating a toxic-free environment.  Social Strategy Local communities are incentivized through a crowdsourcing smartphone app that offers financial compensation. However, perhaps the greatest motivator is the social awareness created through workshops and virtual reality demonstrations, which highlight the positive impact of removing marine litter on local economies. Cleaner, more diverse ecosystems benefit businesses, local communities, and tourists alike. Community engagement was fostered through social media campaigns, encouraging voluntary clean-up activities and testing marine litter recycling efforts, with tangible results such as trash bins and bags. Notably, the Dutch Royals participated in a project workshop on the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten for the In-No-Plastic science fair, *Nature Under Threat*, one of the hands-on activities organized by project partners.  Technical Approaches Plastics are known to harm ecosystems at the macro level, where they can be ingested or cause entanglement. However, when exposed to solar UV radiation and physical factors like wind and waves, plastics break down into smaller fragments - microplastics (less than 5 mm) and nanoparticles (less than 100 nm). "Depending on the aquatic environment and the type and size of the plastic litter, various technologies can be applied," says In-No-Plastic project coordinator Ben Alcock. "Technical strategies include agglomeration systems to collect nano- and micro-particles, eco-friendly chemistries that help micro-particles stick together, and filtration systems designed to remove both macro- and microplastics from water." Additionally, autonomous collection robots have shown significant potential in removing plastic litter from beaches and shores. These robots can operate independently, using vision systems to identify plastic debris and robotic arms to collect and transport it for recycling. Social rewards and data-driven monitoring systems further encourage the hand-picking of litter.Skillz Middle East makes Digital Transformation happening for your company. We focus on the quick win to ensure Digital Marketing, e-learning, Web Meeting, Web Conferencing, Digital Signature, Digital Asset Management are ready to enhance your organization. Digital Marketing shall save money and bring a more efficient conversion for your brand and products. Read the full article

[tc-global]

Why Study in Ireland? Discover the Benefits!

By TC Global - The Chopras

Ireland has emerged as one of the top destinations for international students seeking quality education and a vibrant cultural experience. Known as the “Land of Saints and Scholars,” Ireland boasts a world-class education system, industry connections, and post-study work opportunities. Let’s explore why studying in Ireland could be the perfect choice for your academic and professional future.

1. World-Class Education System

Ireland is home to globally ranked universities and institutions that offer diverse programs in fields such as technology, healthcare, business, and the arts. The Irish education system emphasizes innovation, research, and practical learning, preparing students for real-world challenges.

Top Universities in Ireland:

Trinity College Dublin (TCD): Known for its humanities, technology, and research facilities.

University College Dublin (UCD): Excels in business, law, and science programs.

National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway): Specializes in medicine, engineering, and social sciences.

University of Limerick (UL): Offers industry-oriented programs with a strong focus on internships.

2. Career Opportunities and Industry Links

Ireland is a global hub for industries such as IT, pharmaceuticals, finance, and engineering. Top multinational companies, including Google, Apple, Pfizer, and Intel, have their European headquarters in Ireland. This strong industry presence creates abundant internship and job opportunities for graduates.

Post-study, students can apply for a 2-year Graduate Visa, allowing them to gain valuable work experience in Ireland.

3. Affordable Education and Scholarships

Compared to other popular destinations, Ireland offers affordable tuition fees and living costs. Additionally, students can benefit from a wide range of scholarships, including:

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships

University-specific scholarships

Erasmus+ funding opportunities

4. Research Excellence

Ireland is recognized for its cutting-edge research in fields like biotechnology, data science, and renewable energy. Universities collaborate with global companies, providing students with opportunities to work on groundbreaking projects.

5. Multicultural and Student-Friendly Environment

Ireland is known for its friendly and welcoming people, making it a comfortable environment for international students. The country’s rich cultural heritage, festivals, and scenic landscapes provide a unique and enriching student life experience.

Irish cities such as Dublin, Cork, and Galway offer vibrant student communities, ensuring a seamless cultural and academic transition.

6. Work While Studying

International students in Ireland can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours per week during holidays. This helps students manage living expenses while gaining professional experience.

7. Gateway to Europe

As a member of the European Union, Ireland offers international students the advantage of easy access to other EU countries. This opens up opportunities for travel, internships, and career prospects across Europe.

8. English-Speaking Country

Ireland is one of the few European countries where English is the primary language, making it an ideal destination for students from non-English-speaking backgrounds. This eliminates language barriers and provides a comfortable learning environment.

Conclusion

Choosing to study in Ireland means investing in a high-quality education and gaining access to a wealth of career opportunities. With its globally recognized universities, industry connections, and vibrant cultural life, Ireland is an ideal destination for students aiming to achieve academic and professional success.

Start your journey today with TC Global - The Chopras, and let us guide you through selecting the right course and university in Ireland!

[carboncreditcapital]

Carbon Trading: A Comprehensive Guide to Fighting Climate Change

Carbon trading is an essential tool in the global fight against climate change. As the impacts of global warming become increasingly apparent, businesses, governments, and organizations are leveraging carbon trading mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This article explores what carbon trading is, how it works, its benefits, challenges, and its role in transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

What is Carbon Trading? Carbon trading, also known as carbon markets or emissions trading, is a market-based approach to controlling greenhouse gas emissions. It allows entities to buy and sell carbon credits, which represent the right to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) or equivalent gases. This system incentivizes organizations to reduce their emissions, as lower emissions mean they can sell excess credits or avoid purchasing additional ones.

Types of Carbon Trading Markets Cap-and-Trade Systems: In a cap-and-trade system, a regulatory body sets a cap on the total emissions allowed within a specific sector or region. Companies are allocated or auctioned allowances (carbon credits), which they can trade if they exceed or fall short of their emissions targets.

Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs): These markets operate outside regulatory frameworks and allow businesses or individuals to purchase carbon offsets to compensate for their emissions. For example, a company might invest in a renewable energy project or reforestation effort to offset its carbon footprint.

How Carbon Trading Works Setting Emission Limits Governments or regulators establish an emissions cap for industries or sectors. The cap typically decreases over time to encourage gradual reduction in emissions.

Allocation of Credits Entities receive or purchase carbon credits, where one credit typically equals one ton of CO₂ or its equivalent.

Emissions Monitoring Organizations track and report their emissions. Those emitting less than their allowance can sell surplus credits, while those exceeding their limits must buy credits or face penalties.

Trading Participants trade credits on exchanges or directly with other entities. This creates a financial incentive for innovation and emissions reductions.

Benefits of Carbon Trading Cost-Effective Emission Reductions: Carbon trading allows industries to meet emissions targets at the lowest cost by enabling the trading of credits between entities with differing reduction costs.

Incentivizes Innovation: Companies invest in cleaner technologies and energy efficiency to lower their emissions and sell surplus credits.

Encourages Global Participation:

International trading systems foster cooperation, helping countries and companies work together to meet climate goals.

Supports Sustainable Projects: Revenue from carbon credits often funds renewable energy, forest conservation, and other environmental initiatives.

Challenges in Carbon Trading Lack of Global Standardization: Differences in rules and frameworks across countries make it challenging to create a unified carbon market.

Risk of Greenwashing:Companies may misuse carbon offsets to appear environmentally responsible without making real emissions reductions.

Market Volatility: Fluctuations in credit prices can affect the stability and predictability of carbon trading markets.

Complexity and Monitoring: Ensuring accurate measurement and verification of emissions and offsets requires significant resources and expertise.

Carbon Trading in Action European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) The EU ETS is the world's largest cap-and-trade system, covering power generation, manufacturing, and aviation. It has successfully reduced emissions in the EU by capping them and encouraging renewable energy adoption.

Voluntary Carbon Markets Companies like Microsoft and Google are active in VCMs, purchasing offsets to achieve their net-zero targets. These markets are critical for sectors like aviation and agriculture, where emissions are harder to eliminate.

The Future of Carbon Trading As countries strive to meet the Paris Agreement goals, carbon trading is expected to expand and evolve. Advances in technology, such as blockchain, are making carbon markets more transparent and efficient. Furthermore, increased international collaboration could lead to a more standardized global carbon trading framework, enhancing its impact.

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Saudi Arabia Micro Lending Market Size, Share, Growth and Forecast 2031

Saudi Arabia micro lending market is projected to witness a CAGR of 20.08% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 0.83 billion in 2023 to USD 3.57 billion in 2031. There are several driving factors supporting the rapid growth of the micro lending market in Saudi Arabia. Government support is a key impetus behind the market growth owing to efforts such as Vision 2030, aiming to encourage entrepreneurship and boost access to finance. It includes increasing efforts toward financial inclusion, focusing on reaching more unserved populations, such as women and rural communities, to empower them to launch their businesses. The growing entrepreneurial culture, especially amongst the youth, is adding to the demand for microfinance.

Moreover, the digitization of financial services has led to the development of fintech companies, offering online platforms that are making it even more straightforward to apply for loans. Easy access to these services through widespread smartphone use is further supplemented by a fostering regulatory climate from SAMA. Training new entrepreneurs, collaborating with NGOs, and ensuring the availability of required resources increase the probability of success. Introducing a mix of loan products focused on distinct industries, along with greater awareness of the benefits of microfinance, pushes the market further.

Micro lending is a service offered in terms of a small loan to an individual and a microenterprise who usually cannot obtain credit from the traditional bank. It assists entrepreneurs, primarily in developing regions, through accessible credit when starting or expanding their respective businesses. Being part of the fintech platforms, micro lending made its applications and dispersal to be more efficient and faster. This will create entrepreneurship and foster financial inclusion to improve many livelihoods and stimulate local economies. In Q3 2023, the credit facilities extended to MSMEs in Saudi Arabia were at almost USD 71.6 billion, up from Q3 2022 levels at an annualized rate of 18%. The banks extended around USD 67.1 billion, or 94% of the total credit extended to the MSMEs.

Increase in Adoption of Microfinance to Enhance Market Growth

The demand for microfinance is strongly pushing market growth, particularly in developing regions, where access to traditional banking services remains limited. More entrepreneurs and small business owners are seeking alternative financing options, and institutions such as microfinance institutions are filling that gap through tailored financial products designed to meet the unique needs of such clients. Such recognition goes against the backdrop of growing understanding concerning the role microfinance plays in financial inclusion and empowerment for the underserved, especially women and rural dwellers. It captures innovation in fintech solutions, which have streamlined the process of micro-lending, thus making way for quicker loan approvals and disbursals through digital platforms. Innovations such as these attract a new generation of borrowers who are keener on easy online access to credit. In April 2024, Green investment is being promoted in Jordan through a package of USD 4 million for the Jordan Microfinance Company Tamweelcom by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Union (EU), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The latter has committed USD 1 million with EU grants as well as technical assistance. This initiative will contribute to the investment of the local MSMEs in mitigating and adapting climate change technologies.

Also, the positive government policies and initiatives toward entrepreneurship have even further enhanced the microfinance industry by promoting an increasing number of people who opt for micro-loans as an option to acquire funds. In turn, this builds up more economic activities and complements sustainable development by upskilling individuals and allowing them to improve their levels of living while part of their immediate economies. Consequently, having a growth expansion in the reach and access to microfinance is of utmost importance in setting up growth in this ever-changing market.

Increased Financial Inclusion to Drive Market Growth

Higher financial inclusion can substantially boost growth in the Saudi micro lending market and bring about a paradigm change in the financial scenario of underprivileged citizens. While the government is busy implementing projects under Vision 2030 to diversify its economy and encourage entrepreneurship, access to microfinance has now emerged as an important tool to empower citizens, predominantly women and those living in rural territories, toward the way ahead. In 2024, Kiva Microfunds, a non-profit organization, provided 4,279 loans for women who are fully funded, with over USD 2.3 million in loans raised and 12,901 women impacted.

From this aspect, financial credit institutions participate by providing special financial products to which small business owners can relate as part of growth and sustainability. Fintech platforms continue to support the enhancement of financial inclusion through digital lending solutions that simplify application and approval, making access to credit easier than ever. In addition, increasing knowledge of financial services has opened microfinance to an even greater cross-section of the population. Government policies aimed at strengthening and popularizing financial literacy further helped create an environment in which micro lending developed rapidly. Overall, financial inclusion is a great catalyst that not only stimulates economic activity but empowers communities, thus ensuring excellent foundations for sustainable development in Saudi Arabia.

Banks Segment to Dominate Saudi Arabia Micro Lending Market Share

Banks are leading the micro lending market in Saudi Arabia, as they already possess the existing infrastructure and a large customer base. The traditional banks are now slowly realizing that microfinance would be a good channel for enhancing financial inclusion and supporting small businesses, thus matching Vision 2030. Along with the regulatory framework and government support, they are now opening micro-lending products that meet the distinct needs of low-income individuals as well as entrepreneurs. It can capture the resources available, including its branch networks and digital platforms, for efficient and effective risk assessment in the disbursement of loans. Banks are investing in technology to enable customer convenience and simplify some lending processes to make borrowing as easy as it can be for the consumer.

In most cases, other collaborations with microfinance institutions and fintech companies have generally strengthened their positions in this market. In September 2024, Al Rajhi Bank acquired a 65% stake in the Drahim financial platform licensed by the Saudi Central Bank as part of its strategy to rely on advanced technologies and regulatory frameworks to reinforce its leadership within the financial sector. Meanwhile, as people become more aware of the various benefits of microfinance and an increasing number of people start looking toward financial solutions, banks are moving on in leaps and bounds to be at the forefront of micro-lending within Saudi Arabia. It, in turn, will lead toward fostering economic development and empowering communities nationwide.

Riyadh to Dominate Saudi Arabia Micro Lending Market Share

Riyadh is ready to spearhead micro lending in Saudi Arabia, leveraging the capital city’s status as one of the country’s most economically vibrant regions. Microfinance hubs are most effective where cities have diverse population distributions and emerging entrepreneurial landscapes. Bank concentration, microfinance institutions, and fintech companies portray a wide range of financial services to meet the needs of low-income earners and small business owners with micro lending in Riyadh. With the commitment of the government towards Vision 2030, which focuses on financial inclusion and support for small enterprises, investment in this region has increased. Furthermore, the heavy infrastructure of Riyadh and its embracing technology enables the smooth delivery of microfinance products, which are available to borrowers without problems.

The improvement programs in financial literacy empower potential entrepreneurs to use micro-lending properly. Since more and more people are learning about the benefits of microfinance, Riyadh has set up its spot as the next biggest micro lending hub in Saudi Arabia, with economic growth flourishing and thereby further increasing benefits for its citizens. In July 2024, Riyad Bank announced the launching of the Center of Intelligence, or COI, which is the first specialized center focusing on artificial intelligence technologies and services within the Saudi banking sector. This center will help the bank and its business sectors utilize the innovations of AI to gain analytical insights that are indispensable for supporting the vision of quality and innovation by the bank.

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Future Market Scenario (2024 – 2031F)

Government policies would continue with friendly legislation that would support growing microfinance institutions that were pursuing financial inclusion.

Sector-specific loans and other tailored financial products that cater to small business and individual diversity needs will develop.

Increased demand for microfinance solutions will be fueled by an entrepreneurial culture initiated by the government.

Higher adoption of fintech solutions would make lending easy and online, thus gaining easy access to micro-loans.

Report Scope

“Saudi Arabia Micro Lending Market Assessment, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F”, is a comprehensive report by Markets and Data, providing in-depth analysis and qualitative and quantitative assessment of the current state of Saudi Arabia micro lending market, industry dynamics, and challenges. The report includes market size, segmental shares, growth trends, opportunities, and forecast between 2024 and 2031. Additionally, the report profiles the leading players in the industry, mentioning their respective market share, business models, competitive intelligence, etc.

Click here for full report- https://www.marketsandata.com/industry-reports/saudi-arabia-micro-lending-market

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