Fifth
Framework Programme (FP5)
FP5 includes four thematic programmes:
- Promoting a User-Friendly Information Society (IST)
- Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (EESD)
- Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources
- Competitive and Sustainable Growth (GROWTH)
The IST Programme for Promoting a User-Friendly Information Society is also known as the Information Society Technologies Programme. The main area of interest to the UK LIS sector in FP5 is the IST Programme, but libraries may find other opportunities elsewhere within FP5. This includes the Key Action on the 'City of Tomorrow and Cultural Heritage' within the EESD Programme.
Useful web site:
Information on FP5: http://www.cordis.lu/fp5/home.html
Information Society Technologies (IST) Programme
The Information Society Technologies (IST) Programme for promoting a
user-friendly Information Society aims to build on achievements under a
number of previous programmes, including the former Telematics for Libraries
programme. There is no distinct programme for libraries within the IST
Programme, but there are opportunities to be found, particularly in the
cultural heritage areas of Key Action 3: Multimedia Content and Tools.
Useful web sites:
Information on cultural heritage opportunities under the IST Programme's Key
Action 3 (Multimedia Content and Tools):
http://www.cordis.lu/ist/ka3/digicult/
General IST information from the European Commission:
http://www.cordis.lu/ist
Further information on Telematics for Libraries projects is available at:
http://www.cordis.lu/libraries/.
The CULTIVATE accompanying measure provides information on cultural
heritage opportunities and projects funded under the IST Programme. The service
includes an email discussion list, and a regular Web magazine with news
and feature articles. Information, and links to national sites, is available
at:
http://www.cultivate-europe.org.
The national CULTIVATE site for the UK
is at:
http://www.uk.cultivate-eu.org/ or:
http://www.uk.cultivate-europe.org/.
The EXPLOIT accompanying measure disseminated information on the former
Telematics for Libraries projects. This included articles on projects
and related issues via a Web magazine. View the archived site at:
http://www.exploit-lib.org/.
UKISHELP is provided by the Department of Trade and Industry as the UK help line for information on European Union Information Society programmes. This includes information on the IST Programme.
Contact:
UKISHELP, PO Box 80, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1XR. Tel: 0870 606 1515 (calls
charged at national rate). Fax: 020 8848 6660.
E-mail: help@ukishelp.co.uk
Web: http://www.ukishelp.co.uk.
Other Information Technology programmes
The European Commission funds a number of other programmes relating to the Information Society which may contain areas of interest to the library and information sector. These include:
- eContent, which continues and replaces the former INFO2000 and MLIS (Multi-Lingual Information Society) programmes.
- TEN-Telecom, which aims to support the trans-European deployment of e-society applications and services.
Useful Web sites:
eContent:
http://www.cordis.lu/econtent.
TEN-Telecom:
http://www.ten-telecom.org/.
European Union Information Society:
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/index_en.htm.
UKISHELP is provided by the Department of Trade and Industry as the help line for information on European Union Information Society programmes. This includes information on the eContent, TEN-Telecom and PROMISE programmes.
Contact:
UKISHELP, PO Box 80, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1XR. Tel: 0870 606 1515 (calls
charged at national rate). Fax: 020 8848 6660.
E-mail: help@ukishelp.co.uk.
Web: http://www.ukishelp.co.uk.