Advantage West Midlands' ICT Cluster has unveiled its plans to
encourage region wide involvement in business opportunities and
collaborative projects in Europe.
Central to the ICT Cluster's plans is a new European section of
the website www.wmictcluster.org/europe which will act as an
essential source of project listings and advice. It also aims
to assist companies to benefit from EU funding and will provide
clear guidance on support services available.
The core sections of the European section of the ICT Cluster
website are updated frequently and consist of European Programme
calls, tender opportunities, events and news. Additional
features scheduled for the next few weeks will include regional
support services; national contact points for the various
programmes; and a "jargon buster" to assist those new to working in
the arena of European project opportunities.
The initiative is aimed at any organisation involved in
providing technology services and products, including regional
businesses involved in ICT, education, science parks, researchers
and Chambers of Commerce. The website has been designed to
help organisations new to this activity as well as experienced
practitioners.
Mike Musson, ICT Cluster Manager comments: "There are a lot of
misconceptions about European projects. The reality is that
there are a number of ways that organisations in the West Midlands
can benefit which are not currently being taken advantage of. For
everyone involved in the ICT Cluster, participation in Europe
should be part of an integrated strategy to ensure future success
and growth for the West Midlands' economy."
The ICT Cluster is primarily focused on supporting collaborative
projects funded by the European Commission. The scope of
these will include: Research & Development, Knowledge and
Technology Transfer, Training & Skills Development, Regional
Networking Initiatives, Innovation Support and Curriculum
Development. As an example Mobility Projects (Skills transfer) give
SMEs the opportunity to offer a work placement to a graduate from a
target European market, while academics can benefit from exchange
research initiatives.
Carolyn Hall, European Advisor, ICT Cluster explains: "The
ultimate goal for the ICT Cluster is to build regional success in
the fulfillment, acquisition and realisation of EU projects - both
as a pro-active initiator of projects and as a partner joining
established consortia led from elsewhere in Europe. To
successfully achieve this outcome it is important that the ICT
community is not only aware of opportunities from both these
perspectives but also appreciates the potential benefits of
participation and the range of support services available to assist
them. Here the European web service has a key role to play".
The European facility is just one aspect of the ICT Cluster
website which provides a powerful online resource for
technology organisations in the region.
Resources on the site include a comprehensive business support
section. There is also a list of Initiatives funded to support the
ICT industry in the West Midlands including projects like Accredit
UK, iCentrum and IT Futures.
The website also carries details of events the ICT Cluster runs
or supports, including a significant number that are free or
subsidised such as the annual ICT Conference on 10 November. The
Library houses a range of resources from research projects to
briefing documents on aspects of the ICT Cluster's key
initiatives.
Companies can also register on the http://www.wmictcluster.org
site to subscribe to the regular newsletter for link up with
potential customers, suppliers, partners and affiliates, to learn
about new ICT Cluster and other regional initiatives and for news
on current opportunities.