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16/04/2010
Deal or no deal?
A new deal on climate change is to be made in Copenhagen. From the 7th till the 18th of December delegations from 190 countries will gather in Copenhagen to negotiate a new climate change treaty. Such a treaty could provide interesting opportunities for PNO. However, it is uncertain what to expect from Copenhagen, since there are still a lot of topics to be agreed upon.
Climate change treaty Copenhagen, a déjà-vu?
The road to Copenhagen has not been an easy one. It was already difficult to even decide on whether a new follow-up treaty for the existing Kyoto-protocol dating from 1997 should be negotiated. Two years ago in Bali, the objective of a new climate treaty proved too ambitious. Instead, the outcome of the negotiations was the Bali Action Plan, which consisted of a series of negotiation rounds which were to be concluded at the final conference in Copenhagen in December 2009. However, given the current setting in the negotiations it is not sure if this round will be the last one.
The negotiations
The climate change negotiations are basically a dialogue between the developed and the developing countries. The historic responsibility for climate change lies with the developed countries and it is for this reason that these countries are expected to take the lead in the negotiations. The Bali action plan describes four building blocks for the negotiation rounds and the agreement in Copenhagen: mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHG’s), adaptation to climate change, technology support and transfer measures and of course the overarching issue of finance. Not surprisingly, finance is the most sensitive and most important building block of the negotiations, because who is going to pay for the necessary investments and to what extent? Current estimates by the Commission with regard to the amount of climate finance required are approximately 100 billion euros a year!
The rules of the game
The negotiations are all about the positions of the big economies. The challenge of Copenhagen is twofold: (1) reaching an internal agreement between developed countries about sufficiently ambitious targets which will be accepted by developing countries and (2) meeting developing countries in their need for support to deal with climate change themselves.
Main roles in the negotiations are played by the US, Europe, China and India. Since the inauguration of president Obama, the US are back in the negotiations. However, Obama does not have the mandate to implement a truly ambitious policy. Europe considers itself a leader in the negotiations, willing to commit to a reduction of 30 percent of GHG’s if other developed countries are willing to do the same. However, internal disputes between member states about, for example, the EU’s financial contribution cause a lot of frustration in developing countries.
Both the US and Europe expect developing countries to take action as well. However, China and India, being the most important representatives of the developing countries, will not accept any compulsory targets with regard to climate change. Instead, they expect technological support and finance from the developed countries to assist them in achieving sustainable development. However, on the eve of Copenhagen, the Chinese government announced an emission cut of 40 percent per unit of GDP in 2020. Even though this implies that Chinese emissions will keep growing the coming decade, it is still a sign of commitment and willingness to contribute to the solution.
Deal or no deal?
A new climate change treaty can come in many forms, but given the disagreement on many topics it is uncertain if the negotiations will be completed in Copenhagen. In the heat of the negotiations, unexpected things may happen, but especially the finance and emission target issues will be difficult to resolve in Copenhagen. Possibly, the outcome of Copenhagen can serve as a starting point for further negotiations in 2010. President Obama already announced that he does not expect Copenhagen to be the final negotiation round and there are rumors about a new climate conference in Mexico.
Opportunities
Failure to reach a complete agreement in Copenhagen will not be the end of the fight against climate change, even though it would mean a setback. Eventually a new climate deal will be sealed, which involves the provision of significant amounts of finance and innovative policy measures. Climate funding will be generated by means of the emissions trading system (ETS) and country contributions and then channeled to climate projects and plans by means of dedicated climate funds for adaptation, mitigation, technology support/transfer. The new financial architecture for climate change will constitute an important source of finance for climate plans and projects all over the world. Therefore these types of funding will be incorporated in PNO’s service portfolio. The one thing we can expect from Copenhagen is that it will shed some more light on the direction in which climate finance is going in the (near) future. Would you like more information on this topic, for instance concerning your climate-related projects, don’t hesitate to contact us. Please send an e-mail to Arjen van Kampen. 16/04/2010 PNO likes to inform you about the timing of the EC Framework Programme 7 (FP7) HEALTH from DG Research. In January, a first draft of the Work Programme has been sent to the members of the Programme Committee. After a first discussion and editing round, a new version of the Work Programme will be offered to the Programme Committee at the end of February. The EC is aiming at agreement on the FP7 HEALTH 2011 Work Programme in July 2010, after which the calls will be published.
FP7 HEALTH is the grant programme of the European Commission with the aim to stimulate research and development in the fields of Life Sciences and Health. This programme operates with yearly financing rounds (calls for proposals), sometimes with different deadlines throughout the year. Proposals that will be granted in 2011 have to be submitted in the fall of 2010. Grants that will be allocated in 2011 require the proposals to be submitted in the fall of 2010. Hence the message above refers to the call for 2011 that will be published in 2010.
Health Programme 2008-2013
At present another important HEALTH call is open for applications, the Health Programme 2008-2013 of the DG Health. For this programme, proposals can be submitted until March 19, 2010. The main difference between this programme and the FP7 programme is the aim to develop public health policies and guidelines, whereas FP7 is more directed towards the development of (commercially interesting) technologies (e.g. medical devices, drugs, diagnostics). More information on the Health Programme 2008-2013
More info on FP7 Health Programme?
Please contact Corjan Visser for more information on the FP7 Health Programme. 16/04/2010 The Dutch government conducts a large number of incentives in order to realise its policy objectives.
In practice we regularly see that these incentives match with international purposes of our relations.
Fiscal incentives for research and innovation is different in every country
Many EU-countries have a tax facility which stimulates the implementation of R&D activities (R&D tax credits). In the Netherlands we know the WBSO (Wet voor Bevordering Speur en Ontwikkelingswerk). The WBSO is a tax payment reduction for R&D payroll costs made within the own venture. Other than WBSO, other countries like France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy know a programme where all R&D costs can be claimed. More than that, the costs can be recovered with retroactive effect, whereas the WBSO envisages future costs. Moreover, the definition of R&D is not univocal: it might be that not all R&D-activities are eligible for tax credit in eg. the United Kingdom. In Europe, France propably has the most favourable regulation. With the Crédit Impôt Recherche (CIR) companies can apply for tax credits for 50 % of the yearly R&D costs.
Considering funding opportunities when taking strategic decisions
How can international grant programmes best be used ? The answer depends, amongst others, upon the organisation structure of your company. An important starting point is to identify opportunities and eligible activities in an early stage. Mainly, large investments will be discussed at corporate level. Therefore it is wise to investigate funding opportunities during the internal decision process and not after. This may lead to repositioning the location of your new plant, depending on available grants. A top down approach and central steering of the grant management is necessary.
Do you want to know more ?
International operations do not happen 'over night'. Many multinationals know a long growing process. PNO’s methodology has helped to accelerate this process considerably. Let’s be honest: grant funding can be an enormous incentive to develop a project. Interested in discussing your cross border activities with us ? Do contact Marcel Grosfeld for more information.
16/04/2010 Would you invest in the construction of new transnational networks for energy? Then you can benefit from European funds to support your ambitions! Read how these grants contribute to the realization of a complex GASUNIE project.
Ambition: the gas hub of Europe
GASUNIE has set the goal for Europe to take a leading position in the gas infrastructure and gas transmission. She wants to become the major infrastructure hub in the gas network in northwest Europe, the Gas hub. Currently GASUNIE is constructing the “North-South gas route” in the Netherlands. This infrastructure will be connected to external (foreign) systems. One of the subprojects GASUNIE would like to achieve is the construction of a gas pipe from Rysum (Germany) to Midwolda (Netherlands). This requires GASUNIE to build a four kilometers long tunnel under the Eems.
Connection to sustainable ambitions Europe
In order to find the appropriate public funding for this project, PNO in the Netherlands was asked to participate. Erik Matien, PNO: "We quickly came to the conclusion that this project should be inserted at European level. We advised GASUNIE to stress the technical complexity of the project and the impact on the environment. GASUNIE showed that the construction of an underwater tunnel under a fragile river area (Ems-Dollard) is technically very difficult because of the drilling in soft soil. The chosen solution is also the most environmentally friendly. The ambitions of this project matched nicely with the European subsidy program Trans European Energy Networks (TEN - E) ".
Acceleration of execution due to subsidy
Then PNO supported GASUNIE in applying for the grant and a subsidy of € 2.8 million has been granted. On a total investment of over € 28 million for the Dutch section of the tunnel and gas pipe this is substantial additional financial support. "The grant meant an extra incentive to carry out the project. Moreover, this European grant confirms our position as leader of the European gas market," said Siebe Fox, Finance Manager of the Project Gas Hub of GASUNIE. "Without the proper guidance of PNO we would have failed to properly position our application". In the meantime, with the help of PNO, GASUNIE has also applied for a TEN-E grant for the German part of the route.
Want to know more?
Are you working on a similar project and would you like to research your grant opportunities? Please contact Erik Matien.
02/04/2009
Arnhem, 2 March 2009
PNO unveils new corporate identity
Grant consultancy PNO today unveils its new corporate identity, designed by 2D3D from the Netherlands. Thanks to this new look and feel, the communication is in line with the objective of being Europe’s number one in grants consultancy.
With the new pay off “Inspire Improve Impact”, the company communicates exactly what grants consultancy represents for organisations. “First we inspire clients with our ideas about the strategic implementation of grants. Then we improve their projects, because of awarded grants. Finally, there is this huge impact on the society, because thanks to grants, products, investments and processes are organised in a more innovative or sustainable way”, CEO Willem Zandbergen explains.
From now on, econet in Spain, CiaoTech in Italy and PNO in the rest of Europe are communicating as one and the same company. The endorsed identities econet and CioaTech are visually linked to PNO, which strengthens the overall brand identity.
There was an urgent need to adapt the brand identity of the company since the acquisitions of the Spanish econet, the Italian CiaoTech and, recently, the Romanian Regioconsult.
The entire corporate identity project includes the launch of a totally new website in 13 countries.
PNO is an international company focused on advising organisations in the area of grants. The company assists organisations in obtaining and implementing grants. Furthermore, the company provides advice to companies in structuring their grant processes. PNO provides services throughout Europe to a wide range of organisations, from multinationals to SME companies, non-profit organisations, universities and governments.
Its 500 employees work in 13 European countries in one of PNO’s 40 branches. In Spain PNO operates under the econet brand name and in Italy under the CiaoTech brand name.
End of press release
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Arnhem, 2 July 2007
PNO has acquired grant consultancy department Ernst & Young, the Netherlands
PNO has acquired the grant consultancy department of Ernst & Young in the Netherlands. With this purchase, PNO consolidates its position as major independent grant consultancy organisation in the Europe.
Joint forces
By July 1st, 2007, the Dutch grant consultancy PNO integrates all grant consultancy activities as well as grant advisors and consultants from Ernst & Young Tax Advisors. Most important reasons for PNO are a further consolidation of the number one-position in the Netherlands, and a stronger position on the European market for grants consultancy. “Thanks to 50 new colleagues, we raise additional knowledge and expertise. This means an important advantage in the market of grants, that is known for its high level of expertise. Furthermore, this purchase is in line with our European ambitions”, Willem Zandbergen, CEO of PNO says.
European number one in grants consultancy
PNO have the ambition to be number one in grants consultancy in Europe. Therefore, from the year 2000, the Dutch company has launched its own offices in several European countries. International clients with different European establishments are locally serviced by one and the same company for all their grant-aided funding.
Independent
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Besides European coverage, clients seem to appreciate more and more the independent, specialised advice of grants consultancy. CEO Zandbergen explains: “This reinforcement by 50 new colleagues is very important for us. Finally, grant schemes, grant applications and their implementation in the organisation turn out to be complicated. That is the reason why organisations prefer hiring independent grant experts in stead of missing out on this grant aided funding. The profession ‘grant consultant’ has grown to maturity.”
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Arnhem/Bucharest, 12 September 2008
PNO acquires Romanian grant consultancy RegioConsult
Grant consultancy PNO acquires the Romanian grant consultancy RegioConsult. This is the fourth acquisition of PNO, after having integrated the Dutch Grants and Incentives department of Ernst & Young and the Spanish grant consultancy econet in 2007 and the Italian grants consultancy CiaoTech in April 2008.
Romania key country for European Cross Border Enterprises
The acquisition of RegioConsult is an essential step in PNO’s strategy to offer grants consultancy services throughout Europe. As Romania is the second largest country of Central Eastern Europe, many foreign companies consider investments in this country, both because of impressive economic growth figures and the potential of the internal market.
Bob Stassar, Board member of PNO Group and responsible for the CEE-region within the company states: “In 2007, we started our company in Bucharest under the brand of PNO. The current integration of RegioConsult gives us now the chance to increase our service level and to offer grant consultancy throughout the entire country, out of 4 offices with a team of 20 people. Clients like Heineken, P&G, Microsoft and Schweighofer appreciate local grant consultancy services, and that is the main reason to expand our business.” Country manager of the Romanian branch is Szabolcs Ilyes, former director of RegioConsult.
PNO is an international company focused on advising organisations in the area of grants. The company assists organisations in obtaining and implementing grants. Furthermore, the company provides advice to companies in structuring their grant processes. PNO provides services throughout Europe to a wide range of organisations, from multinationals to SME companies, non-profit organisations, universities and governments.
Its 500 employees work in 13 European countries in one of PNO’s 40 branches. In Spain PNO operates under the econet brand name and in Italy under the CiaoTech brand name.
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Arnhem/Rome, 3 April 2008
PNO acquires Italian grant consultancy CiaoTech
Grant consultancy PNO acquires the Italian grant consultancy CiaoTech in order to deliver grant consultancy services throughout Europe. This is the third acquisition, after having integrated the Dutch Grants and Incentives department of Ernst & Young in July 2007 and the Spanish grant consultancy econet in October 2007.
Local presence, European service
The acquisition of CiaoTech is the next step in PNO’s strategy to offer grants consultancy services throughout Europe. Both companies have been cooperating in several projects in the past around CiaoTech’s specialization in innovation projects with EU funding. “Local presence in Milan, Rome and Pescara is an important added value in the international market for financial services”, CEO Willem Zandbergen states. “The integration of CiaoTech will lead to a better positioning at the Italian market for grants consultancy.”
PNO is an international company focused on advising organisations in the area of grants. The company assists organisations in obtaining and implementing grants. Furthermore, the company provides advice to companies in structuring their grant processes. PNO provides services throughout Europe to a wide range of organisations, from multinationals to SME companies, non-profit organisations, universities and governments.
Its 500 employees work in 13 European countries in one of PNO’s 40 branches. In Spain PNO operates under the econet brand name and in Italy under the CiaoTech brand name.
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Arnhem, 2 October 2008
PNO acquires Deloitte Grants & Incentives
PNO today announced the acquisition of Deloitte’s Grants & Incentives Division in the Netherlands and Belgium. Deloitte’s 25 employees will be integrated into PNO’s business units in these countries. Deloitte is withdrawing its activities in this market segment in order to emphasise its independence as an audit organisation. The acquisition allows PNO to strengthen its market position in the Netherlands and Belgium. No financial details were disclosed.
PNO Consultants, a grants consultancy company, acquired Deloitte’s Grants & Incentives Division in the Netherlands and Belgium on 1 October 2008. The acquisition perfectly aligns with PNO Consultants’ strategy to become a major independent grants consultancy company in Europe. Last year PNO acquired Ernst & Young's Grants and Incentives Division in the Netherlands. PNO is the only party capable of providing guidance to highly ambitious clients throughout Europe. CEO Willem Zandbergen: “This acquisition once again emphasises the need for independence in providing grants consultancy services. We continually demonstrate to our clients that we are 100% committed to them, across Europe, and that we are improving our services by investing in creating added value for our clients.” Liesbeth Kraaijveld, Country Director for the Netherlands, is positive about the step taken by PNO. “Previous acquisitions, such as the integration of Ernst & Young’s Grants & Incentives Division in July 2007, have made our company stronger. I expect this acquisition to have the same effect.”
PNO is an international company focused on advising organisations in the area of grants. The company assists organisations in obtaining and implementing grants. Furthermore, the company provides advice to companies in structuring their grant processes. PNO provides services throughout Europe to a wide range of organisations, from multinational to SME companies, non-profit organisations, universities and governments.
Its 500 employees work in 13 European countries in one of PNO’s 40 branches. In Spain PNO operates under the econet brand name and in Italy under the CiaoTech brand name.
End of press release
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