The European Commission has published the call for proposals “The European Community of Women Business Angels for Women Entrepreneurs”, as part of the preparatory actions for the 2016 Grant Programme.

The overall objective of the call is to increase the number of women Business Angels in Europe and to facilitate funding for women entrepreneurs from Business Angels. As defined by the European Commission’s DG GROW, Business Angels are “individuals, usually with business experience, who invest part of their personal assets directly in new, unquoted businesses. In addition to capital, Business Angels also provide the entrepreneur with their business management expertise”.

The selected consortia will form the European Community of Women Business Angels for Women Entrepreneurs.

Applicants must be legal entities established in a Member State, belonging to one of the following categories:

• organisations/networks/clubs of women Business Angels;
• organisations/networks/clubs of Business Angels;
• business support organisations, business associations and business support networks;
• chambers of commerce and industry, craft associations or similar bodies.

These must form a consortium consisting of at least 4 eligible entities from at least 4 Member States and involving at least one existing organisation/network/club of women Business Angels;

Entities without legal personality may participate upon submission of documents proving that their legal representative can assume legal obligations on their behalf.

The total budget for this call is 2,200,000 euros, which will be used to fund a maximum of 5 project proposals.

The European Union co-financing rate will be 70% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of 440,000 euros.

Proposals must be submitted by 28/07/2016 at 17:00 (Brussels time), in electronic format.

For further information, please consult the website.