In the framework of the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU, two European conferences will take place in Athens on Thursday and Friday. The events will focus on the promotion of research, innovation and development.

The Help-Forward Network (Diktyo Praxi) in cooperation with the General Secretariat for Research and Technology as well as the EU’ Directorate General for Research and Innovation organizes a conference entitled “Access to Funding for Research, Innovation and Development.”

The aim of the conference is to offer information for the funding tools of the EU programme “Horizon 2020”, which facilitates access to funding for research, innovation and development.

The conference will be held at the Intercontinental hotel and, during the event, the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund will sign two agreements to mark the launch of two significant European funding tools, aimed at supporting European innovative enterprises.

Furthermore, the National Documentation Centre and the European Commission in collaboration with the General Secretariat for Research and Technology organize the “Week of Innovative Regions in Europe –WIRE 2014”.

The event is considered to be the most important European forum for regional strategies regarding innovation and development.

The conference, which will take place at Aegli of Zappeion Mansion, is being held for the fifth consecutive year. Its participants include European Commission, OECD and World Bank officials, managers of structural funds and development programmes, local administration organizations, researchers and entrepreneurs.