EMODnet Open Conference and Online Ocean Literacy Workshop

DG MARE will host a workshop with more than 70 speakers on 14-16 June for the 3-day Open Conference organized by EMODnet, the European Marine Observation and Data Network. Over the last decade, EMODnet has managed to put its mark on the marine knowledge and data environment, in Europe and beyond. On 16 June, the EMODnet Secretariat will organise an online workshop on the European Atlas of the Seas. The interactive workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about the many different aspects of the Atlas, from the story behind map layers to how the Atlas can be used in education and ocean literacy. The workshop is open to everyone and is free to attend, whether you are just discovering the European Atlas of the Seas or you are already a user looking for further information. Explore the full programme and register here.

EIC sets ups mentoring scheme for female entrepreneurs

The European Innovation Council (EIC) has launched a new mentorship programme to help women entrepreneurs enhance their skills and network. The scheme is open to all women that are part of EIC-funded projects, but this time around, only 50 of them will be able to secure tailor-made training with personal mentors and coaches. In the future, the mentorships will be extended to women from outside the EIC circle as part of  the WomanTechEU programme foreseen to be launched in late June. Read more on the mentorship here.

France moves to become a nation of ‘large tech companies’

“We were a start-up nation, we are going to become a nation of large technology companies,” Economy Minister Bruno le Maire told a conference on Monday (7 June), adding that “France has a vocation to be one of the nations writing the 21st century”. In a study published last week, the European Central Bank (ECB) deplored the EU’s lagging investment in technology companies, pointing to the limited availability of venture capital and private investment. Of the initial €20 billion target, which also includes third-party investors, the total funds already amount to €18 billion. Le Maire even proposed on Monday to raise the target to €30 billion. Le Maire also recalled the government’s ambition for 2025 to have 25 French “unicorns” – unlisted startups valued at a minimum of €1 billion. Read more on Euractiv.

Fifty cities so far in the Green City Accord

The European Commission’s Green City Accord has hit a milestone number of cities willing to adopt even more ambitious environmental protection targets. These cities join other signatories in setting ambitious targets to tackle air, water and noise pollution, protect nature and biodiversity and to improve waste management and support the circular economy. Any city in an EU member state that has more than 20,000 inhabitants is eligible to sign the Accord. Eurocities, ICLEI Europe and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) support the European Commission in developing and implementing the Accord. For more information about the Accord, visit its website.