Two days of FP7, financial rules and much more…

Can the salary for a PhD student be charged to the project???

Would the costs of a conference be Other costs or RTD costs????

If the project manager goes on maternity leave, can we still charge her salary to the project???

We are looking for a new employee for the project, can the costs to find a suitable candidate be charged to the project????

The rules are there, the guides are explanatory but the questions are still many… How to manage the project? In theory it seems easy, but as always the reality is a bit more complex, and solutions to unexpected situations must be found. Fast.

The Parliament building – a nice view from the conference room

2 days of FP7…

How interesting it is to discuss every day hassle with people who are doing the same work. Last week 27 managers, from all over Europe and even from Africa, came to Budapest to learn more about the rules and to share experience on cost allocation, how to handle the partners, intellectual property issues and many other things related to FP7 project management. Some people with  experience back from FP5 and others quite new to all this, doesn’t matter there is always something new to learn.. especially as with time, the rules are being clarified by the EC and new interpretations are published. Have you seen there is a new Annex II??

but not only…

But life is not only about FP7, even if it could seem like that at daytime with lectures, workshops and consultations on all kind of issues. In the evening it was time to enjoy the beautiful view of Budapest, to learn a bit about the history at the guided tour, discovering some Hungarian wines and of course to make new friends.

I wonder how many  project ideas were born at the castle hill in the House of Hungarian wines last Thursday? Me, I have two new ones to think of… :)

ClimateWater

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridging the gap between adaptation strategies of climate change impacts and European water policies

 

Disastrous and catastrophic water related events are increasing across the world now, much worse than was forecasted by any agency or model.

Under the coordination of the VITUKI-Environmental Protection and Water Management Research Institute in Hungary, a European consortium started collaborating in 2008 in order to study European and international adaptation measures and strategies related to climate changes impacts and how these are taken into account in water policies. The partnership has formulated a coherent framework on adaptation strategies of climate change impacts on water resources, water cycling and water uses of the society.

The Project Climate Water is co-financed from the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union. It is a Co-ordination and Support action (supporting) of 3 years duration (01 November 2008 – 31 October 2011).

By the end of 2010, we at Geonardo Environmental Technologies Ltd. have started to build the Climate Water Stakeholder Platform. Those who are interested in the research results, draft documents and reports can register and get access to the Document Library.

Here they may share results, give comments, upload materials visible to other stakeholders after registration. The platform also contains links to other EC projects that focus on water related impacts of the climate change from a different perspective together with the main websites of the European Union and the research Framework Programme on climate change and water initiatives.

The main EU policies concerned are the Drinking Water Directive (No /83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption) and the Directive 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the council of 12 December 2006 on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration’ and other relevant regulations on other water uses and supplies. To analyse all documents related to climate change induced impacts on water related issues, the partners have defined the following sub-grouping:

• Floods and excess waters;
• Drought and water scarcity;
• Water quality and water pollution;
• Water supply and water management;
• Nature, aquatic ecosystems;
• Water industries, navigation, hydropower

On the homepage of the ClimateWater project, www.climatewater.org, we attempt to give you an answer in terms of adaptation strategies and measures on the basis of the results thus far achieved from our project. You may also find many documents and links on the site.

Winter Academy 2011

Winter Academy 2011- Hévíz, Hungary

Budapest-Ferihegy Airport, FP7-Winter Academy, Hévíz, Lotus-Spa*****, FP7, Sauna, FP7, Swimming pool, Common dinner, FP7, Gabriella&Bodil&Maria&Adrienn , proposal, project development, participants, FP7,   Green group, direct costs, coffee break, WP, blue group, P1, financial aspects, FP7, budget, evaluation, wine tasting, gipsy-music, DoW, jungle speed, thermal lake, Little-Balaton, third countries, stakeholders, common lunch,  and departure.

Some words about the last week during Winter Academy 2011. A weeklong training with 16 participants from 12 countries. From Norway to Greece, from Portugal to Turkey. Different nations, roles and experience, for a common aim: to acquire the most about FP7. From the proposal through the project management to the financial reporting and audit. Theoretical presentations followed by interactive workshops, individual exercises completed by team works. After each day’s work, leisure couldn’t be missed of course. Spa, sauna, swimming pool, Turkish bath and Europe’s largest thermal lake have all assisted the daily renewal.

And then suitcases, check-out, and take off… Cabin bag, laptop and training materials, hopefully clearer impression about EU Funds, FP7 and a pleasant afterimage about the heart of Hungary. Based 100% on experience.

We really hope that all of you found this week useful and enjoyed your stay in Hungary. We wish you further successful work and prosperous projects. In case of any questions it is our pleasure to give a hand.

Photos, training materials and networking with other participants: http://www.eutrainingsite.com/member_area.php

Hungary