This good news certainly has something to do with Energie-Cités’ lobbying with the Commission: for both types of actions co-financing may represent up to 75% of eligible costs (it was previously at 50 %)!

The total operational budget for 2007 amounts to 55 million euros. Close to 70 subventions will go to the sub-programmes: SAVE will receive 8.9 million euros, ALTENER 17.7 million euros and 10.5 million euros will go to STEER. Another piece of good news: the programme will also be supporting "integrated initiatives", which will receive 17.9 million euros.

Last autumn, Energie-Cités submitted their opinion on how to improve the IEE programme as pat of the Commissions public consultation programme. A number of the points highlighted by Energie-Cités have been integrated into the new programme which is very good news for Energie-Cités members and future EIE II applicants.

Jean-Pierre Vallar
Project Manager